Jilin reports surge in cross-border e-commerce

CHANGCHUN -- Northeast China's Jilin province reported its foreign trade value in e-commerce quadrupled to 443 million yuan (about $67.5 million) in the first ten months this year compared to the same period last year, according to Changchun Customs.

The trade volume of the province in cross-border e-commerce totaled more than 1,360 metric tons, about 13 times the number between January and October last year, the customs said.

Mainly contributed by the booming e-commerce sector, the province's export value reached more than 440 million yuan, up by 424.8 percent year-on-year. The major exports are daily necessities, clothing, and electronic products. Jilin's imports recorded a decline in value of 33.2 percent year-on-year but a surge exceeding 420 percent in volume during the period.

Located at the junction of China, Russia, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the border city of Hunchun, Jilin, has become a strong magnet for e-commerce and logistics enterprises at home and abroad.

At present, the exports delivered by Hunchun's logistics companies can reach most parts of Russia in only 15 to 25 days, saving more than half of the time and economic cost.

Cross-border e-commerce has become a new growth and profits motor in the province's foreign trade. The customs plans to further improve its regulatory mechanism, and facilitate the sector's boom, according to Shi Jianping, deputy director of Changchun Customs.