Train carrying high-end cosmetics departs from France for Chengdu

A freight train loaded with high-end French cosmetics departed from Dourges, France, for Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, on Thursday, marking a new milestone in Chengdu's specialized trade channel with France.

Travelling on the China-Europe Railway Express, the train carries premium beauty products, including essence, makeup and perfumes. The shipment is designed to cater to China's growing demand for quality imported cosmetics.

To foster balanced, high-quality bilateral trade, China has introduced a series of policy measures to smooth the entry of French cosmetics, wine and other high-quality goods, according to the Chengdu International Railway Port.

These measures include streamlined customs clearance, stronger intellectual property protection, and mutual recognition of geographical indications.

Compared with sea freight, which is much slower, and air freight, which is more expensive, rail transport offers stable transit times, low cargo loss rates and superior cost-effectiveness — making it ideal for cross-border cosmetics transport, a senior executive at the Chengdu International Railway Port Investment and Development Co Ltd said.

The company plans to increase train frequency and launch more specialized freight trains for different categories of goods, the executive said.

The outbound trains will carry more Chinese products and trendy brands, expanding their presence in Western European markets, while the inbound trains will bring back more premium French goods, including wine, luxury items and precision instruments, he added.