November 3, 2026. Shenzhen, one of China's main export hubs, will restrict cargo trucks from Monday, November 16 to Friday, November 20 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting held in the city on November 18 and 19, the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau said today in an official notice.
The measures
According to the notice published by the official account Shenzhen Release:
- Dangerous goods vehicles: banned on every road in the city, expressways included, 24 hours a day from November 16 to 20.
- Large trucks (heavy and medium trucks, tractor units and construction vehicles): on November 17 and 18, the eastbound Nanping Expressway ramp to National Highway 107 is closed all day, and Yueliangwan Avenue, Beihuan Avenue and the Tanglangshan Tunnel are off limits from 8:00 to 20:00.
- Light trucks: on November 18 and 19, from 6:00 to 22:00, barred from Futian, Luohu and Nanshan districts, except enclosed light trucks.
Vehicles carrying emergency supplies, medical goods, fresh food, repair or municipal services can apply for temporary permits. Alternative routes for large trucks include the Guangshen Coastal Expressway, the Mawan cross-sea passage and the Nanping Expressway. United Daily News reported the same measures.
What forwarders expect at the ports
The notice covers streets and highways and says nothing about ports. However, Dimerco's November Asia Pacific freight report, published today, warns the summit could pause cargo intake at Shenzhen terminals from November 16 to 20 and recommends planning South China exports around it. The same report notes:
- Typhoon Champi hit Shanghai and Ningbo on October 24–25, with one to two weeks of expected delays.
- Transpacific demand stays firm through year end, and blank sailings keep rollover risk high.
- China–US air rates have peaked but should stay elevated into December. "The US rally has peaked, but space isn't opening up," said Kathy Liu, Dimerco's VP of global sales and marketing.
How to plan around it
Our take: hosting APEC shows Shenzhen's capacity to welcome leaders from across the region, and the restrictions are temporary and announced nearly two weeks ahead, so delays can be avoided with planning.
- Ask your supplier to deliver goods to the port or the forwarder's warehouse before Friday, November 13; our China warehousing can hold cargo in the meantime.
- If you ship dangerous goods such as lithium batteries or aerosols, confirm timing with your forwarder: those trucks cannot move from November 16 to 20.
- Book sea freight space early and ask for the next available sailing.
- Schedule the product inspection early so it does not fall in the restricted week.
