When you enjoy fresh Norwegian salmon at breakfast or receive Chilean cherries in winter, do you realize these conveniences stem from China's booming cross-border e-commerce? A decade ago, Hangzhou launched the nation's first comprehensive pilot zone for cross-border e-commerce, embarking on a journey to "buy globally and sell globally." Today, this experimental field has transformed into a vital hub of international trade, profoundly reshaping lifestyles through efficient digital commerce services.
"Second-Level Clearance": The Technology Behind Lightning-Fast Delivery
Chinese-made sun protection gear gained popularity during the Qatar World Cup, while cooling products will serve athletes at the Paris Olympics. These "Made in Hangzhou" items shine on global stages thanks to the city's advanced customs clearance capabilities. At Hangzhou Customs' cross-border e-commerce imaging center, officers employ a "24/7 clearance + AI image recognition + real-time comparison" system that synchronizes X-ray images with declaration data, processing parcels in an average of just six seconds.
Statistics show that in the first 10 months of 2025, Hangzhou's airport handled 125,000 tons of cross-border export goods, driving total international cargo volume to surpass 200,000 tons—a 9.54% year-on-year increase. These figures demonstrate the sector's robust growth and the pivotal role of efficient customs in trade expansion.
"Return Freedom": Streamlining International Reverse Logistics
To address cross-border returns—a persistent industry challenge—Hangzhou Customs pioneered an inter-regional return model. This innovation allows goods originally exported via Shenzhen, Ningbo, or other ports to return directly through Hangzhou's extensive air network, eliminating complex transit procedures and significantly reducing costs and processing time for businesses.
The policy not only enhances consumer satisfaction but also boosts corporate confidence in overseas expansion. By refining its e-commerce ecosystem, Hangzhou continues to cultivate a more attractive business environment.
"Fresh at Lightning Speed": Global Delicacies at Your Doorstep
Hangzhou Customs' "ramp direct pickup" program enables importers to submit declarations and conduct pre-checks while perishables are still airborne. Norwegian salmon arriving at Xiaoshan International Airport between 1-2 AM reaches local breakfast tables by 6 AM, while Vietnamese lobsters and Chilean cherries maintain stable domestic supply chains.
From January to November 2025, Hangzhou imported 1,256 batches of chilled seafood totaling 4,884.51 tons—51-fold and 70-fold increases respectively. These numbers reflect both logistical advancements and rising Chinese demand for premium imported goods.
Decade of Transformation: From Testbed to Global Hub
Since establishing China's first cross-border e-commerce pilot zone ten years ago, Hangzhou has seen 1,266-fold growth in import-export volume and 325-fold expansion in merchant numbers. Wu Changhong, Deputy Director of Hangzhou's Commerce Bureau, notes that digital commerce now drives the city's foreign trade growth, industrial upgrades, and high-quality development.
Looking ahead, Hangzhou will deepen integrated models like "livestreaming + platforms + cross-border e-commerce," sharing replicable institutional innovations nationwide. As China's "15th Five-Year Plan" commences, the city aims to solidify its position as a premier global trade nexus, making "buy globally, sell globally" an everyday reality for consumers and businesses alike.