Latest data from the Yiwu customs office show that the city had 3.46 billion yuan ($538 million) worth of imports in the first quarter of this year, up 50.7 percent year-on-year.

Imported consumer goods in Q1 rose by 47.7 percent to 3 billion yuan, accounting for 85.9 percent of the total imports. Specifically, 360 million yuan worth of beauty, cosmetic, and toiletry products were imported during this period, an increase of 106.2 percent compared with the same period last year.

Imported machinery and electronics products in Q1 soared 227.2 percent to 240 million yuan, while imported high-tech products shot up 399.7 percent to 190 million yuan.

The city's surge in imports is reflected in the thriving business environment at the Yiwu China Imported Commodities Mall, which sells nearly 100,000 varieties of consumer goods from more than 100 countries and regions.

"Apart from Chinese consumers, many foreign merchants also come to place orders at the store. Among the most popular goods are daily necessities made in Japan and South Korea, and chocolate, biscuits, red wines, and beers made in France and Germany," Lou Mengqing, manager of Whew Street, an imported food store in the mall, told local media.

"We have been adding new varieties of imported goods this year and our sales in the first quarter grew by 20 percent from last year," said Lou, who added that global vaccination efforts have helped improve the business climate.

Zhu Ze, the general manager of a Yiwu-based consumer products importer, said, "Beers, milk powder and cosmetic products were popular during the five-day May Day holiday. Hence, we have immediately purchased from Europe, North America, Japan, and South Korea to replenish our stock."

"Yiwu is a window for globalization and boasts multiple advantages in customs duties, logistics, and other business-friendly factors. We have imported hundreds of containers of products into Yiwu market so far this year," Zhu added.