Ningbo, with the port economy as its core competitiveness, is facing a new situation of industrial upgrading. Relying on the opportunity of the China International Import Expo, Ningbo proposed to continue to open wider to the outside world and vigorously develop import trade. By analyzing the current situation of Ningbo's import scale, import business entities, and imported commodity structure, it is found that its import growth potential is sufficient and necessary. Relying on the Expo to further open up imports will help Ningbo's industry upgrade, including making full use of reverse learning and synergetic effect in manufacturing industry, promote agricultural efficiency and quality improvement, and promote the port's distinctive service industry. At the same time, the government should promote import facilitation measures, improve import fine management, create a first-class import business environment, so as to provide policy support for promoting industrial upgrading through imports.