Customs officers from Ningbo Customs check products at a local enterprise. [Photo by Ding Feng/Tide News]

Exports through Ningbo Port to Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states reached 89.77 billion yuan ($12.59 billion) from January to July, up 2.3 percent year-on-year, according to Ningbo Customs.

Local companies are actively tapping into SCO markets. Kaulin Machinery and Electronic Industrial (Ningbo) Co Ltd saw its exports to India surge 71.45 percent year-on-year to over 30 million yuan. At the company, workers were recently testing industrial sewing machines bound for India. Production lines were running at full capacity, with trucks ready for shipment outside the warehouse.

Zhejiang New Vision Imp&Exp Co Ltd has also benefited from rising demand. The company reported a 42.5 percent year-on-year increase in exports to Uzbekistan, exceeding 10 million yuan, mainly for home appliances and power tools.

As an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)-certified enterprise, Zhejiang New Vision enjoys faster customs clearance, lower inspection rates, and smoother procedures in countries that have mutual recognition agreements with China, including Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Ningbo Customs has supported exporters by optimizing clearance services, promoting policies like advance declaration and direct pickup at the dock, and guiding companies in leveraging preferential tariffs and digital certificates.

From January to July this year, Beilun Customs issued 1,545 certificates of origin for SCO member states, covering goods worth 537 million yuan — up 70.2 percent and 15 percent year-on-year, respectively — helping enterprises secure about 4.2 million yuan in tariff reductions.