A new logistics corridor introduced by Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is dramatically reshaping how goods from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) reach Chinese consumers and cutting delivery times from weeks to just four days.

On May 15, a shipment of Hungarian goose down quilts arrived in Ningbo following a swift journey that started in Budapest and connected via Ezhou in Central China's Zhejiang province. The 50-kilogram delivery was the first under the newly launched "1 Euro to China" intercontinental express route, initiated by Ningbo's Procurement Alliance of CEEC Commodity in partnership with SF Express.

"In addition to the quilts, we have another 800 kilograms of Hungarian Tokaji wine on the way," said Wang Shiyu, importer and manager of Ningbo Yongze International Trade Co Ltd, who is optimistic about the new logistics model.

Traditionally, CEE exports to China relied heavily on maritime shipping, which could take 40 to 60 days and had costly implications for shelf life and market responsiveness. The new express route addresses these challenges by using direct all-cargo flights from Budapest to China's inland aviation hubs, along with SF Express's extensive domestic distribution network.

"Compared with the restrictions of passenger flights, dedicated freighters offer speed, flexibility, and scale," said Chen Weijun, executive president of the Procurement Alliance of CEEC Commodity, "By reducing transport costs to as low as 1 euro ($1.12) per kilogram, we're eliminating a major barrier to entry, especially for food and boutique products. Businesses can now confidently ship to China on a demand-driven basis."

The service currently operates three flights per week, allowing items like wine, chocolate, and specialty textiles to reach Chinese households within four days. Ningbo's newly introduced one-stop clearance process for CEE goods further streamlines import procedures, ensuring speed and regulatory compliance.