Staff workers clear goods from customs in the international inward and outward express goods supervision center in Zhanjiang. [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]

A customs supervising and managing vehicle loaded with 317 express items slowly ran into the newly-established international inward and outward express goods supervision center in Zhanjiang at 8 am on Nov 30, marking the opening of the center, the first of its kind in West Guangdong.

Such centers usually open in first-tier cities, which have more convenient transportation networks. Previously, express items in and out of Zhanjiang and even West Guangdong used to go through the customs in Guangzhou or Shenzhen, then to Hong Kong and Macao, and finally to other parts of the world. The whole process is lengthy.

The new center in Zhanjiang is significant in that it will cut down on transaction costs and intermediary links and improve business efficiency. Companies' customs clearance time will also be substantially reduced, from two days to six hours. Tax refunds will also be done in three days, substantially quicker than previous three-month period.

Currently, the center mainly processes personal express items. For example, if a Zhanjiang resident wants to buy milk powder from Australia, he can place an order through the center's cross-border e-commerce platform. Overseas consumers can also shop online for Zhanjiang's specialties such as pearl necklaces and shrimp through the platform.

"This center can help Zhanjiang's famous specialties reach overseas markets, help small and micro businesses realize entrepreneurial dreams, and achieve win-win results for everyone involved," said Wang Xiaosui, director of the city's bureau of commerce.

Wang said that developing cross-border e-commerce is necessary for Zhanjiang. Cities in the Beibu Gulf region including Qinzhou, Beihai and Fangchenggang have a population of more than 30 million, with a large consumption potential.

In the next move, Zhanjiang plans to develop itself into a national demonstration city for cross-border e-commerce.

Edited by Mevlut Katik