Zhanjiang's total export to countries along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road reached 3 billion yuan ($482.97 million) in the first half of 2015, a year-on-year increase of 19.1 percent, according to statistics released by the Zhanjiang Customs.

Among the factors that contributed to rising exports are local government support and incentives for foreign trade enterprises, improvements in port infrastructure construction, and Zhanjiang Customs' efforts to streamline the customs clearance procedures and efficiency, indicated the customs officials.

A view from the Zhanjiang Port [Photo by Yang Xun/Zhanjiang Evening News]

The Zhanjiang Customs District will actively participate in the integration of customs services in 11 custom districts in Guangdong, Fujian and Hainan provinces, and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said Chen Zhifeng, deputy chief of the customs district.

Starting May 1, companies in the four places have been free to choose the customs district where they make their customs declarations, duty payments and customs clearance.

Nearly 900 import and export companies in Zhanjiang are entitled to the new service, with customs-related costs reduced by up to 30 percent.

The Zhanjiang Customs District will enhance cooperation with its counterparts and port operators in the Beibu Gulf Rim, and customs services will be integrated with entry-exit inspection and quarantine services in the region.

The customs district will further enhance integration between the Beibu Gulf Rim and central, southwestern and western China for better business connections with West Asia and Southeast Asia, said Wang Kan, deputy chief of the customs department.