In 1836 it was made a free warehousing port, and in 1837 the capital of a small adjacent district.

Deposit, especially warehousing of grain, was charged for at one-sixtieth.

It also works coal-fields at Yentai and Fushun; has a line of steamers plying between Tairen and Shanghai; and engages in enterprises of electricity, warehousing and the management of houses and lands within zones 50 Ii (17 m.) wide on either side of the line.

For imports the price does not include customs duties, cost of transport, insurance, warehousing, &c., incurred after the frontier is passed.

In 1847 the Birkenhead Dock Warehousing Company opened its first warehouse, capable of holding 80,000 tons of goods.