Customs officials inspect Wufangzhai's zongzi. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]

The Dragon Boat Festival has created a surge in international demand for zongzi, the festival's signature treat. Jiaxing's enterprises are a flurry of activity, as they craft the delicacies for export. Jiaxing Customs is providing vital support to ensure the traditional snacks swiftly pass through customs.

At the heart of this export boom is Zhejiang Wufangzhai Industrial Co Ltd, which is recognized as a Chinese time-honored brand. Its workshop is a testament to efficiency and tradition, where skilled artisans wrap zongzi at remarkable speeds, once achieving a world record.

The zongzi-making technique of Wufangzhai, founded in 1921, has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage since 2011. Currently, the company's zongzi are exported to more than 10 countries and regions, including North America and Australia.

Yao Guoliang, manager of the company's import and export department, emphasized the importance of maintaining quality to ensure the authentic taste that zongzi are known for. This dedication to excellence has necessitated stringent standards for food safety and timely customs clearance.

Jiaxing Customs has been instrumental in this process, helping the company refine every aspect of production, from selecting the finest ingredients to optimizing logistics. The company has seen a substantial increase in export orders this year, indicating a growing appetite for this traditional food worldwide.

From January to May, Jiaxing's zongzi exports surged to 5.52 million yuan ($761,462), marking a 12.36 percent increase year-on-year.