A major policy breakthrough in cross-border e-commerce retail exports is set to significantly reduce costs and improve efficiency for businesses in China, with Ningbo, Zhejiang province, playing a pioneering role in the initiative, according to Ningbo Daily.

On Feb 12, an international cargo flight carrying cross-border e-commerce return packages landed at Ningbo Lishe International Airport. These packages, originally exported through different ports in China and containing items such as pet supplies, toys, and phone cases, successfully cleared customs under the supervision of Ningbo Customs. This marks the first batch of cross-border e-commerce retail export returns under the new inter-district customs supervision model in Zhejiang.

The pilot program follows the implementation of the General Administration of Customs' policy last December, which introduced inter-district return supervision for cross-border e-commerce retail exports in Ningbo and 19 other customs districts. The new policy removes the restriction requiring returned goods to be processed only at the original export location, thus streamlining the after-sales service process and making global sales more sustainable.

Before this reform, businesses faced major logistical and financial challenges when handling returns. For example, if a Ningbo-based merchant shipped products through Tianjin and a customer in Japan needed to return an item, the package had to be rerouted back to Tianjin or be processed as a standard import at another port. This process was expensive and time-consuming, forcing many businesses to abandon returned goods overseas.

With the new policy, businesses can now choose the most efficient return route.

Companies specializing in cross-border supply chain services are already seeing positive results. Ningbo Golden Key Supply Chain Service Co Ltd, one of the first adopters of the new model in Zhejiang, is optimistic about its potential.

"This policy allows e-commerce platforms to introduce customer-friendly services like 'seven-day unconditional returns', which helps boost customer loyalty and accelerate inventory turnover abroad," said a company representative.