Imagine a consumer in Brazil placing an order for Chinese-made goods today and receiving them at their doorstep within days. This remarkable efficiency is made possible by an emerging "Air Silk Road" connecting China and Brazil, which has become a vital artery for cross-border commerce.
Since its launch on February 10, 2023, the Xiamen-São Paulo air freight route—China's first dedicated e-commerce air corridor between BRICS cities—has achieved extraordinary growth. Over two years, the route has facilitated 474 round-trip flights , handling 33,200 metric tons of cargo, including an impressive 31.36 million cross-border e-commerce parcels. These figures not only demonstrate the route's success but also highlight the vibrant expansion of China's e-commerce sector.
A High-Capacity Trade Corridor
Operating three weekly flights with each carrying up to 95 tons of cargo, the route specializes in transporting high-value, time-sensitive goods. On the import side, it has become the primary channel for premium Brazilian products entering China, particularly:
- 7,336.66 tons of salmon
- 3,903.17 tons of fresh fruit
With total imports reaching $106 million , the route has emerged as the leading contributor to Xiamen Airport's import volume, while simultaneously strengthening agricultural trade cooperation between China and Brazil.
Export Performance
The route has equally excelled in exports, achieving:
- $476 million in total export value
- 14,276.16 tons of e-commerce exports
- 31.36 million parcels shipped
These figures position it as Xiamen Airport's top-performing e-commerce export route. The exported goods range from popular e-commerce items like footwear and apparel to high-tech products, showcasing the diversity of "Made in China" goods reaching global markets through this efficient air bridge.
Customs Innovation Enables Success
The route's achievements stem from Xiamen Customs' innovative approaches:
- Policy Guidance: Providing specialized support on e-commerce regulations and intellectual property protection to help businesses navigate export risks and ensure compliance.
- 24/7 Clearance: Implementing round-the-clock customs operations that have reduced inspection times by over 50% for compliant businesses.
- Smart Certification: Creating dedicated green channels for perishables, using AI-powered document review systems that enable immediate processing. Advanced measures like "conditional release" have reduced fresh produce inspection times to under 30 minutes, facilitating the smooth import of 11,400 tons of perishables over two years.
This BRICS e-commerce air corridor has not only significantly enhanced trade between China and Brazil but also provided efficient export solutions for businesses in Xiamen and surrounding regions. As the route continues to develop with improved supporting services, it promises to further strengthen economic cooperation among BRICS nations while injecting new momentum into the global cross-border e-commerce sector.