Up 65.4%! Cross-border e-commerce sector in ZAEZ reports robust growth in 3Qs

Henan Daily

Zhengzhou: In the first three quarters, the total import and export value of the cross-border e-commerce sector in Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ) reached 19.086 billion yuan, up 65.4 percent year-on-year, said the local authority on November 11. Exports alone saw a significant 105.7 percent year-on-year rise, totaling 9.367 billion yuan, reflecting the sector’s rapid growth.

How has the cross-border e-commerce sector in ZAEZ been able to reach new heights? The main reasons are as follows.

International Air Freight Routes Expanding Rapidly, Strengthening Logistics Support for Cross-Border E-commerce Exports
Zhengzhou airport has proactively attracted leading aviation logistics companies, continually enhancing its hub route network and innovating air logistics development models to improve service quality. This year, it launched 19 new international cargo routes, bringing the total to 57. The variety of cargo has expanded from a limited range of general goods to nearly 10,000 different products across multiple categories. Moreover, the share of cross-border e-commerce goods in the airport’s freight volume has increased from about 20 percent in 2023 to 30 percent this year, underscoring the growing strength of the “Air Silk Road”corridor.

Notably, on October 18, Zhengzhou airport handled nearly 90 all-cargo flights in a single day, setting a new record since its opening 27 years ago.

Industry Leaders Establishing Presence at ZAEZ, Fueling Cross-Border E-commerce Supply Chain Development
Thanks to ZAEZ’s unique “hub + openness” model the volume of cross-border e-commerce transactions surged from 746,000 orders in 2015 to 123 million orders in 2023, marking an increase of 165 times. 881 cross-border e-commerce companies have been registered, attracting well-known domestic and international e-commerce platforms, such as Alibaba’s AliExpress, Tmall Global, Taobao Global, Cainiao, Amazon, and Vipshop. This has significantly accelerated the development of the cross-border e-commerce industry chain.

This year, the ZAEZ has further strengthened its collaboration with international logistics companies and continued to expand its overseas markets through a “business-to-business” approach. It has leveraged international air logistics enterprises to attract e-commerce operations to the region, resulting in the establishment of key facilities such as the TIR International Road Transport Consolidation Center and the 1688 Henan Selection Center. These initiatives have helped create a more efficient and convenient international channel for cross-border e-commerce exports.

Ongoing Business Environment Optimization Injects Momentum into Cross-Border E-Commerce Industry
This year, the ZAEZ has actively developed “pre-positioned warehouses” for cross-border e-commerce imports and exports, significantly boosting cargo charter flights and international road transport services under the “cross-border e-commerce + specialized port” model. This has enabled rapid, efficient, and cost-effective logistics. Taking advantage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, the zone has further deepened its Zhengzhou-Luxembourg “dual hub” strategy, establishing a “1+4+N” port system that offers the most comprehensive functions and highest customs clearance efficiency in inland areas of China. Additionally, the zone has been approved for operational leasing of foreign currency rental payments and pilot programs for innovative cross-border RMB business, pioneering the “cross-border transfer of RMB trade financing assets”. These innovative initiatives have significantly enhanced both the economic benefits and brand impact of the ZAEZ.