- Outbound shipments reached 8.36 billion yuan in the first five months, accounting for more than 40% of the national total
- New customs classifications help streamline exports as demand rises across Europe, North America and industrial markets
Shanghai’s robot exports climbed to 8.36 billion yuan ($1.24 billion) in the first five months of the year, making the city China’s largest export gateway for robotics as manufacturers expanded sales to more than 110 countries and regions.
The total accounted for over 40% of China’s robot exports during the period, according to Shanghai Customs.
Cleaning robots, led by robotic vacuum cleaners, remained the dominant category. Exports reached 6.11 billion yuan, representing 71.6% of all robot exports through Shanghai’s ports.
Expansion into heartlands of industrial robotics
Industrial robots also posted strong growth. Exports rose 39.5% year-on-year to 2.13 billion yuan, with shipments gaining traction in established automation markets such as Germany and Japan.
Exports to Germany jumped 84%, while those to Japan increased 36.5%.
Part of the momentum has been supported by changes to China’s tariff classification system.
Beginning January 1, the country’s 2026 tariff adjustment plan introduced a dedicated customs code for intelligent bionic robots, while cleaning robots received two new product-specific classifications.
Clear identification
The new categories provide clearer product identification for exporters and help standardize customs declarations, reducing administrative uncertainty for companies shipping abroad.
Shanghai’s tax administration bureau under the General Administration of Customs has also conducted outreach on the new classifications and refined product-coding standards to improve compliance and customs clearance efficiency.
“The more detailed classifications have improved the accuracy of product declarations and significantly simplified customs procedures,” said Zhao Junhui, logistics manager at Suzhou-based robot vacuum maker Ecovacs (科沃斯). “Trade facilitation has improved noticeably.”
Ecovacs said its export orders have risen more than 50% this year, supported by robust demand from traditional overseas markets including Europe and North America.
