Amazon expands logistics footprint with new Ningbo hub

Amazon's Global Warehousing and Distribution facility in Ningbo. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Amazon is expanding its cross-border logistics network in China with the launch of two Global Warehousing and Distribution (GWD) facilities in the cities of Ningbo, in Zhejiang province, and Shanghai, strengthening support for exporters in the Yangtze River Delta.

Announced on July 7, the new facilities follow the opening of Amazon's first GWD site in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in April. They serve as the company's latest move to streamline cross-border fulfillment for Chinese sellers.

The Ningbo facility is located next to the Meishan port area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and is equipped with an automated storage and retrieval system. Its 40-meter-high automated warehouse is the tallest in Amazon's Asia network. The site is expected to begin accepting inventory in the third quarter.

GWD serves as a China-based logistics gateway for exporters. Sellers ship their products to a local GWD facility, after which Amazon manages warehousing, export customs procedures, international shipping, destination customs clearance, and delivery to overseas fulfillment centers.

The service has no minimum shipment requirement and allows sellers to send inventory from a single carton, making it accessible to both established exporters and smaller businesses testing new products overseas.

According to Chen Ming, vice-president of Amazon China and head of cross-border supply chain management for Amazon Global Selling, the dual-hub strategy is designed to serve the Yangtze River Delta's extensive manufacturing base, which includes home furnishings, textiles, consumer electronics, and household appliances.

Ningbo was selected in part for its strong export ecosystem. The city recorded 5.99 billion yuan ($881 million) in cross-border e-commerce exports through special customs supervision zones in 2025, up 24.7 percent year-on-year. Its proximity to one of the world's busiest ports also enables closer integration between warehousing and international shipping.