Approved by the State Council in April 2000, Hangzhou Export Processing Zone (HEPZ,杭州出口加工区) is among the first export processing zones established in the Chinese mainland. Located in the state-level Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Zone, it has a total planning area of 2.092 square kilometers, 2.007 sq km of which have been developed in Phase I.

The administrative committee of HEPZ, constituted by the Hangzhou government, is authorized by the state to exercise uniform administration in the zone. The Customs of the Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Zone and the Zhejiang Bureau of Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine have both set up offices in HEPZ.

Prompt, standardized, and systematic export and import management and services are available around the clock in the zone. Enterprises have access to a complete range of public service organizations, including banks, customs brokers, freight agencies and logistics companies.

HEPZ has been progressing rapidly since it started operation in 2001. In the first half of 2004, its export volume ranked among the top three of all state-level development zones.