The Khorgos International Center of Boundary Cooperation (ICBC) has reached a historic milestone. By the end of 2025, the number of people entering and leaving the center exceeded 9.99 million crossings, up 33.3% year-on-year, according to data released by the Khorgos ICBC customs authorities, DKNews.kz reports.
For a site once seen as a pilot project, the figures confirm Khorgos’ transformation into one of the busiest and most dynamic land border hubs between China and Kazakhstan.
Visa-free access and duty-free trade drive growth
Khorgos is the first cross-border economic cooperation zone jointly established by China and Kazakhstan. Located in the city of Khorgos within China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the center operates under a unique formula: visa-free access combined with duty-free trade.
This model has proven highly attractive. Throughout the year, visitors are drawn not only by shopping opportunities, but also by the chance to experience a new format of cross-border cooperation where the boundary itself feels increasingly seamless.
Crossing the border in 15 seconds
To cope with the rapidly growing passenger flow, customs authorities have accelerated the rollout of smart passenger inspection systems. A range of digital and contactless solutions has been introduced, including:
- 24/7 online pre-booking for border clearance;
- intelligent temperature screening;
- facial recognition technology;
- contactless terahertz security checks.
Thanks to these measures, Khorgos has achieved a “15-second” contactless customs clearance process for passengers - a benchmark that rivals even major international airports.
A duty-free city on the border
The Khorgos ICBC officially began operations in April 2012 and has expanded steadily ever since. Today, on the Chinese side alone, the center hosts:
- more than 2,000 retail outlets;
- over 200 duty-free enterprises;
- more than 1,000 types of goods sourced from over 40 countries.
In effect, Khorgos has evolved into a fully fledged border trade city, where commerce, logistics and tourism converge.
Why Khorgos matters beyond the border
Analysts note that Khorgos’ record-breaking numbers reflect more than consumer demand. The center has become:
- a showcase of China–Kazakhstan economic partnership;
- a key overland gateway linking China with Central Asia and Eurasia;
- a real-world example of how digital technology can dramatically simplify border crossings.
As trade, tourism and transit between China and Central Asia continue to grow, Khorgos is steadily strengthening its position as a strategic land hub on the Eurasian continent.
If current trends continue, the 10-million mark may soon become not an exception, but a new normal for this landmark cross-border center.
