Yiwu Cross-Border E-Commerce Import Orders Hit 100 Million for the First Time, Boosting China’s Foreign Trade Growth

On the morning of 3rd December, a batch of cross-border e-commerce bonded import goods was inspected and released by Yiwu Customs, affiliated to Hangzhou Customs, before being dispatched from Yiwu Bonded Logistics Center to consumers. This marked the 100 millionth cross-border e-commerce import order inspected and released by Yiwu Customs this year, and a historic milestone as Yiwu’s annual cross-border e-commerce import list volume exceeded 100 million for the first time. Industry experts stated that with the deepening of high-level opening-up, cross-border e-commerce has broader development prospects, continuously injecting strong new momentum into the high-quality development of China’s foreign trade.

For Yiwu, Zhejiang, known as the “World’s Small Commodity Capital”, this breakthrough is of special significance—it is not only a key milestone in the vigorous development of local cross-border e-commerce, but also a vivid reflection of the rapid growth of China’s cross-border e-commerce industry. Since Yiwu Bonded Logistics Center first adopted the cross-border e-commerce bonded import model in early 2019, its import scale has achieved leapfrog growth: about 8.7 million orders in the first year, exceeding 25 million in 2020, and steadily rising thereafter to over 60 million in 2023, 80 million in 2024, and finally breaking the 100 million mark this year.

A wide range of commodities, a mature and diversified logistics network, an efficient distribution system and smooth customs clearance experience have laid a solid foundation for Yiwu’s cross-border e-commerce development. Notably, the “contactless checkpoint” intelligent supervision measure launched by Yiwu Customs has achieved remarkable results. After weighing at the checkpoint, the license plate recognition system can verify information instantly, allowing vehicles to pass in less than 10 seconds. This saves 2 to 3 hours per day for vehicles entering and exiting the zone, and realizes “zero stay and instant release” for checkpoint vehicles during peak periods, greatly improving customs clearance efficiency and supporting cross-border e-commerce development.

The vitality of China’s cross-border e-commerce is reflected not only in the import side of “buying globally”, but also in the export side of “selling globally”. Many domestic enterprises have expanded overseas markets through cross-border e-commerce channels, with export value steadily rising during the peak holiday consumption season at home and abroad, demonstrating strong market competitiveness. To meet enterprises’ needs for optimized customs clearance processes and improved export efficiency, customs authorities in various regions have actively innovated service models. A typical example is the “customs clearance + logistics” innovation model jointly built by Guangzhou Customs and multiple departments. The model established a “dual pre-positioning” cargo terminal with “civil aviation security pre-inspection + customs inspection pre-positioning” at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, enabling foreign trade enterprises to complete customs clearance, collection, security inspection, palletizing and other operations in one stop. Export goods can be directly sent to the airport for loading and departure, reducing waiting time by over 50% and improving overall export customs clearance efficiency by 70%, effectively reducing costs and increasing efficiency for enterprises.

The rapid development of cross-border e-commerce is supported by policy support and service optimization from relevant departments in various regions. Data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, China’s cross-border e-commerce import and export totaled about 2.06 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%, maintaining a steady growth trend. Local governments have introduced a number of targeted support policies to empower cross-border e-commerce development.

In Beijing, relevant policies clearly support enterprises in carrying out cross-border e-commerce business through self-operated sales platforms, third-party sales platforms, etc. For the development of information systems such as platform websites, mobile applications and independent stations, as well as the construction of software and hardware facilities, a maximum of 50% of the verified actual investment is subsidized, with a maximum subsidy of 1 million yuan per project. In Zhejiang, relevant departments support cross-border e-commerce enterprises to cooperate with professional live streaming institutions, extensively use visual marketing models such as live streaming and short videos, cultivate cross-border live streaming talents and integration bases, support enterprises to establish local teams overseas, and encourage the application of new technologies such as digital human live streaming to build a global cross-border live streaming hub. In Hainan, policies focus on local advantageous agricultural products such as mangoes, coconuts and tilapia, supporting traditional foreign trade enterprises to switch to cross-border e-commerce exports. At the same time, enterprises are encouraged to expand production and develop deep-processed products suitable for cross-border e-commerce exports, expanding export categories.

Customs authorities in various regions have also continuously optimized supervision and services to support the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce. From January to November 2025, Wuhan Customs supervised cross-border e-commerce import and export goods worth over 20 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of more than 50%. By strengthening cooperation with railway and postal departments, it has promoted cross-border e-commerce goods to be exported via China-Europe Railway Express and postal routes, further expanding logistics channels. Xiamen Airport Customs implements an “all-weather” operation model and adopts “inspect upon arrival, release upon inspection” for cross-border e-commerce goods. As of the end of November, Xiamen Airport has opened 16 all-cargo air freight routes, enabling “small parcels” to connect with the “big market” efficiently and helping enterprises better expand overseas markets.

Industry analysis points out that cross-border e-commerce has realized in-depth integration of digital technology and the global market, effectively shortening transaction links, expanding market channels, and greatly lowering the threshold for small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the international market. Currently, China’s cross-border e-commerce shows a good trend of expanding scale, optimizing structure and enhancing resilience, which not only effectively drives the development of related service industries such as logistics, finance and law, but also significantly promotes employment and tax revenue. Yiwu’s cross-border e-commerce import orders exceeding 100 million for the first time is a vivid microcosm of the vigorous development of China’s cross-border e-commerce.

As a new engine for foreign trade growth, the sustainable and healthy development of cross-border e-commerce is inseparable from the continuous improvement of the policy system. Since 2015, relevant departments have adhered to pilot projects first, established more than 100 cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones, and continuously optimized support policies. Customs across the country have continuously improved supervision processes, creating a more convenient, efficient and safe customs clearance environment for cross-border e-commerce exports, and creating favorable conditions for enterprises to develop business through cross-border e-commerce.

Experts stated that since the beginning of this year, China’s foreign trade has forged ahead under a complex external environment, maintaining a steady upward development momentum. In the future, with the continuous advancement of high-level opening-up, foreign trade enterprises can further leverage the opportunities brought by cross-border e-commerce, adapt actively, innovate, and achieve higher-quality development in a higher level of opening-up, injecting more new vitality into China’s foreign trade growth.