Ordos boosts global trade footprint

Ordos in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region is ramping up efforts to expand foreign trade by fostering market entities, developing new business models, and improving international logistics networks to bring more locally made products to global markets.

At the cross-border comprehensive industrial park in the Ordos Comprehensive Bonded Zone, a wide range of products, including premium cashmere garments, specialty agricultural and livestock products, and high-end coal chemical products, are being prepared for overseas markets.

Leveraging its strategic location along the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, the park has established multiple international logistics channels, including China-Europe freight trains, TIR international road transport, and the 9610 cross-border direct-mail model. These channels connect local businesses with markets in Mongolia, Russia, and other European countries.

The park has registered 75 companies so far, with cumulative cross-border e-commerce imports and exports exceeding 390 million yuan ($58.47 million).

To further facilitate international trade, Ordos has improved customs clearance procedures and introduced measures to reduce business costs.

Gao Lei, head of the comprehensive business section at Ordos Customs, said local authorities have guided foreign trade companies in adopting simplified declaration procedures and a streamlined clearance model. Under this arrangement, goods can be released based on individual transaction lists, with customs declarations consolidated afterward. The approach has shortened clearance times and reduced logistics and declaration costs.

Meanwhile, Ordos is building a comprehensive support system for cross-border e-commerce.

Drawing on its cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone, the city has introduced four customs supervision models: 9610 for cross-border direct mail, 1210 for bonded imports, 9710 for cross-border business-to-business exports, and 9810 for exports through overseas warehouses. Together with China-Europe freight trains and TIR international road transport, these models have helped establish a multimodal logistics network and create more flexible options for businesses engaged in international trade.

The city has also developed a multilingual livestreaming e-commerce network to help local products reach overseas consumers.