Abu Dhabi Customs and China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window Partner with GSBN for eBL-Enabled Digital Customs Clearance
Photo shows (from left) Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN,
and His Excellency Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs
Hong Kong, 30 January 2026 — Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) has announced that Abu Dhabi Customs and China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window are participating in the collaboration initiatives, marking another important milestone in the network’s expanding engagement with public sector trade authorities.
Building upon Colombia Customs’ decision to accept electronic Bill of Lading (eBL) for clearance, this development represents a growing interest among customs authorities to leverage eBL data to facilitate more efficient, transparent and secure import and export processes. As GSBN’s cooperation partners, Abu Dhabi Customs and China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window are exploring the use of trusted eBL data available on the GSBN platform to improve workflow efficiency and support innovative initiatives for financial services including:
- Improving customs clearance processes by using structured eBL data
- Ensuring data credibility by using GSBN’s platform as the sole source of truth for eBL data
- Verifying accuracy and integrity of trade information using GSBN’s data validation service
The collaboration benefits all participants in the clearance process. Authorities can gain access validated eBL data via GSBN’s network based on importer and exporter’s consent, reducing reliance on manual document checks, minimising discrepancies, and enabling faster decision-making. Importers and exporters will be able to share eBL data to authorities using a single click on IQAX eBL. This fast, secure process will simplify document submission and processing in future – significantly improving the efficiency of clearance by reducing processing times and operational friction at borders.
His Excellency Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs, said, “Abu Dhabi Customs’ decision to join GSBN comes as part of our ongoing efforts to expand partnerships and open new avenues for cooperation in the adoption of emerging technologies and the implementation of best practices to support the facilitation of global trade, enable reliable and trusted digital trade corridors, and support more efficient, compliant, and seamless logistics and supply chain operations. This aligns with the evolving requirements and future outlook of customs operations, and further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global hub for trade and logistics.”
The spokesperson of China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window, said, “As a key digital gateway for international trade, China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window is committed to improving connectivity and data sharing across the trade ecosystem. Working with GSBN-validated eBL data will streamline and secure information exchange, and explore innovative financial services in Chongqing and along the Western Land-Sea New Corridor.”
Bertrand Chen, CEO of GSBN, said, “Customs authorities are crucial partners in using eBLs to make cross-border trade easier for everyone involved. The participation of Abu Dhabi Customs and the China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window reflects a shared commitment to modernising trade processes through trusted digital systems and data. Enabling secure access to validated eBL data helps both authorities and traders achieve faster, more transparent, and more efficient cross-border flows.”
This collaboration recognises and enhances GSBN’s role as a neutral data infrastructure and trust layer that connects private and public sector stakeholders across global trade. By providing high integrity eBL data to customs authorities – in addition to shippers, banks, and corporates – GSBN is facilitating the industry’s transition to paperless trade, creating a more efficient and resilient global trade ecosystem for all.
ENDS
About GSBN
The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) is a neutral, not-for-profit consortium whose mission is to enable paperless, accessible and sustainable growth in global trade with its data infrastructure and ecosystem of partners. GSBN facilitates trusted collaboration between participants across the shipping industry to enable greater efficiencies, and paperless trade as well as supporting the shipping industry’s decarbonisation transition.
GSBN’s ecosystem includes shipping lines, terminals, banks, application developers and other consortia. The entire network accounts for more than half of the containers handled in the world.
About Abu Dhabi Customs
The General Administration of Customs of Abu Dhabi is a government entity responsible for implementing customs policies approved by the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates. It serves as the primary gateway for regulating and overseeing trade movements across Abu Dhabi’s various border crossings.
Driven by an ambitious strategic vision, Abu Dhabi Customs aspires to be a world-class customs authority and to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for business at the local, regional and international levels.
About China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window
China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window is a government‑led digital platform designed to facilitate international trade by providing a unified interface for trade‑related regulatory and commercial processes in Chongqing, China. It serves as a central gateway for enterprises to access customs clearance, port operations, logistics coordination, financial services and other cross‑border trade functions through a single access point with a one-time submission.
As part of China’s broader national International Trade “Single Window” framework, China (Chongqing) International Trade Single Window also incorporates localised applications tailored to regional trade requirements and strategic development priorities, including logistics collaboration, data services and trade facilitation initiatives. Through digital innovation and inter‑agency coordination, the platform supports Chongqing’s role as an important inland gateway for international trade and regional connectivity. Meanwhile, based on the Single Window, Chongqing is collaborating with the “13+2” provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities) along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to Jointly plan, jointly build, and jointly share a digital platform for the corridor.
Press Contact
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