Chongqing - Carrying daily necessities manufactured in Chongqing, a batch of cross-border e-commerce goods departed from Chongqing Tuanjie Village Railway Station recently, reaching its destination in Bhutan, a tiny and remote kingdom nestling in the Himalayas between India and China.
Cleared by the Xiyong Customs District, these goods will be transported to Guangxi Qinzhou Port via rail-sea intermodal transportation on the New International Land-sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), then shipped by sea to Kolkata Port in India and finally to Bhutan.
The launch of this train service implies the regular operation of cross-border e-commerce freight trains on ILSTC. The process is expected to take approximately 22 days, reducing the logistics time by more than ten days compared to previous routes.
A batch of cross-border e-commerce goods departed from Chongqing Tuanjie Village Railway Station in May 2023, reaching its destination in Bhutan. (Photo/ILSTC)
The rise of globalization and e-commerce has led to a surge in cross-border e-commerce which has become a significant driver of global trade.
Data shows that in 2022, China's import and export value of cross-border e-commerce totaled 2.11 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, while the growth rate of e-commerce in Southeast Asia reached 26.2%.
Logistics is crucial in cross-border e-commerce, requiring a robust domestic and international supply chain and logistics services. "The use of the cross-border e-commerce platforms and ILSTC enable us to deliver goods to overseas customers directly," said a company representative.
Chongqing-made products have gained popularity in Southeast Asia, from automotive and motorcycle accessories to daily necessities. Cross-border e-commerce platforms and ILSTC will empower small and medium-sized enterprises in Chongqing to expand overseas markets and meet consumer demands.
In recent years, the New Land-sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd has been laid out in ASEAN countries by establishing overseas companies and a mainline transportation network encompassing big cities in Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, etc.
Nowadays, the ILSTC has connected 393 ports in 119 countries and regions worldwide. This efficient, convenient, and cost-effective transportation route will significantly facilitate the export of high-quality inland goods to ASEAN and even the global market.