In the first quarter of 2020, Taicang customs issued 727 preferential certificates of origin for exports worth over $130 million), up 51 percent and 48 percent year-on-year, local media reported on April 20.

The preferential certificates were mostly issued for exports to South Korea, ASEAN countries, and Germany, and will save importers around $4 million in tariffs.

A customs official said that the certificate of origin is an important means of expanding regional exports amidst slow global economic recovery, sluggish international trade, and declining market demand.

The number of such certificates indicates the vitality of foreign trade, according to the official.

Customs statistics showed that, in the first quarter, over half of the certificates were applied for online, and a total of 707 of them were remotely printed by applicants themselves to avoid face-to-face meetings and raise administration efficiency.