According to the statistics of Nanjing Customs District P.R.China, in the first four months of this year, the total import and export value of Jiangsu's foreign trade reached RMB 1.76 trillion, an increase of 9.3% over the same period last year, hitting a record high for the same period. These impressive figures were hard-earned. Recently, the reporter visited several foreign trade companies and relevant departments to uncover the new highlights behind the growth in Jiangsu's foreign trade.
"Little Giant" Unleashes Great Energy
In the final assembly and commissioning workshop of Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd., the staff carried out the final debugging of a blowing-filling-capping machine with a length of 18 meters and a height of 4.6 meters before leaving the factory. This machine is about to be shipped to a production plant in Zimbabwe, where workers need to complete the installation, testing, and commissioning of the beverage packaging production line before the peak sales season.
Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. is a specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative "little giant" enterprise mainly engaged in the R&D, production and sales of liquid food packaging machinery with an annual export volume exceeding RMB 200 million. Yin Gang, the company's Director of Public Affairs, said, "As the global turnover rate of fast-moving consumer goods like food and beverages continues to accelerate, the demand for packaging machinery is steadily increasing. 'Made-in-China' products, known for their high cost-effectiveness, are increasingly favored overseas. In 2023, our company's export volume grew by 133% year-on-year, and this year's production schedule is already booked through November."
Another "Little Giant" company, Jiangsu Beier Machinery Co., Ltd., has expanded its development into the research and production of plastic recycling equipment. This technology automates the sorting, crushing, and washing of various plastic bottles into bottle flakes, which are then melted and pelletized for use in downstream industries. This not only secures a strong position in the domestic market but also allows the company to export products to over 200 countries and regions, including ASEAN, Europe, and South America. This year, the company's export volume has already exceeded USD 10 million.
Lansion Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is one of the newly added national-level specialized, sophisticated, distinctive and innovative "Little Giant" enterprises from last year. It primarily focuses on the research, development, and production of in vitro diagnostic reagents and related instruments in the biomedical field. Their products are exported to nearly 100 countries and regions. On April 22, a batch of glycated hemoglobin test kits from the company was successfully exported to Moldova. "The customs provided us with 'one-stop' clearance services, including consultation, risk assessment, and centralized supervision. The inspection period for biomedical products has been reduced from 3 days to 1 day, almost achieving 'report and inspect simultaneously,' effectively enhancing customs clearance speed," said Li Jialing, manager of the company's Business Department. In the first quarter, the company exported a total of 63 batches of biomedical products, valued at over RMB 3.6 million.
Cross-Border E-Commerce Brings Big Surprises
Since this year, the development of cross-border e-commerce in Jiangsu has accelerated and brought a lot of surprises.
In the warehouse of Wuxi Hosauna E-commerce Co., Ltd., semi-finished wooden barrels and planks are neatly stacked. After processing, this batch of 70 sauna rooms will be shipped to the company's self-built overseas warehouse in North America for restocking via sea freight. Once local consumers place orders, the products will be shipped directly from the overseas warehouse and can be delivered to customers within as little as 3 days.
It is the first cross-border e-commerce enterprise in China that sells wood sauna rooms overseas in a B2C mode. Hao Mingwei, founder of Hosauna, explained, "Establishing overseas warehouses not only enhances overall logistics control and efficiency but also facilitates precise market targeting. This is especially beneficial for products like saunas, which are large in volume, high in value, and challenging for after-sales service." In the first three months of this year, the company's export value reached RMB 3.31 million, an increase of 113.8% year-on-year.
As a long-standing "City of Glasses," Danyang boasts over 1,600 enterprises in the eyewear industry and related trades, producing over 400 million pairs of glasses annually. In the production workshop of Jiangsu Youli Optics Spectacles Company, the production lines for lens substrate manufacturing and hard coating are running continuously. Some of the optical lenses manufactured by these production lines will be sold to overseas customers through cross-border e-commerce export channels. According to Zhang Jing, the company's foreign trade manager, compared with traditional exports, exporting glasses through cross-border e-commerce has greatly increased its overseas customers. In 2023, the company exported nearly RMB 6 million of lenses through cross-border e-commerce, with a year-on-year increase of more than 90%. The volume of cross-border e-commerce exports in the first quarter of this year has exceeded RMB 5 million.
At the export cargo handling area of the International Freight Center of Nanjing Lukou International Airport, batches of goods from major e-commerce platforms are going through customs clearance under supervision. "Compared to the first quarter of last year, the opening of direct flights between Nanjing and New York and Dhaka has expanded the variety of platforms and products available in cross-border e-commerce. Customs clearance assistance has effectively helped us manage costs. We eagerly anticipate the opening of more cargo flights in the upcoming season to meet the growing export demands of cross-border e-commerce," said Zhu Liqiang, Head of Cross-Border E-Commerce Business at the Nanjing Branch of CTS International Logistics. At present, Nanjing Lukou International Airport has opened 6 international all-cargo routes, of which 3 intercontinental routes mainly carry cross-border e-commerce goods, including small household appliances, daily necessities, clothing, toys and decorations.
Government and Enterprises Work Together to Enhance Efficiency
Government support and proactive business efforts have played a pivotal role in driving a 9.3% increase in foreign trade.
Zhou Juan, customs manager at Jiangsu Newamstar Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd., said, "The magnetic rotary capping head on the equipment we exported this time is a key component designed and manufactured according to customer requirements. Thanks to the preferential policies of processing trade under bonded warehousing, our company's financial pressure has been alleviated. With the guidance of Jingang Customs, we now directly complete the establishment, modification, and verification procedures for processing trade handbooks through the 'China International Trade Single Window,' saving manpower and resources." The combination of high-quality service manufacturing solutions and policy benefits has also earned the company a strong reputation in the international market, with over 2,200 production lines deployed in more than 80 countries and regions worldwide.
"Currently, the application for certificates of origin for exported equipment and components can be processed 'instantly,' making the application process increasingly efficient and convenient. Last year, our self-printed certificates of origin for China-ASEAN and other regions saved our clients approximately RMB 1.6 million in import tariffs, reducing their maintenance costs and helping us to more effectively seize new opportunities in the field of recycled resources," said Sun Yanjuan, customs manager at Jiangsu Beier Machinery Co., Ltd.
On April 26, at the Changzhou Fujiang Vehicle Co., Ltd. factory, a batch of electric bicycles worth over RMB 1 million was ready for export overseas through Changzhou Port. "We have a distinct advantage in research and development and manufacturing, and our overseas sales are steadily increasing. We expect to achieve sales of over RMB 30 million this year," said Xu Peng, the company's customs manager. As a hub for over 80% of domestic electric bicycle brands, Changzhou provides a mature market environment for foreign trade enterprises. Previously, goods for export needed to be transported by road to Shanghai Yangshan Port. However, with the enhanced port functions of Changzhou Port, two-wheeled electric bicycles can now be directly loaded and unloaded at Changzhou Lu'anzhou Yangtze River Wharf, shipped by water to Yangshan Port, and then exported overseas, opening up a new convenient channel for the company's product exports.
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Xinhua Daily. The Chinese version of Xinhua Daily shall prevail.