A freight train carrying 110 containers of household appliances and mechanical equipment departs from Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on its way to Budapest, Hungary. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

China-Europe freight service operating from East China's Zhejiang province handled 63,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of imports and exports in the first quarter of 2025, up 4 percent year-on-year, according to recent data from Hangzhou Customs.

The Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight service, which connects Yiwu in Jinhua with Europe, continues to deepen integration with the province's advanced manufacturing sector.

High-value goods such as solar panels, automobiles and parts, and electronic devices like smartphones have become increasingly common cargo. "Clients have also been inquiring about exporting machinery and textiles by train," said Wang Yanqun, general manager of Jinhua-based Quan Yi Customs Brokerage.

To improve efficiency, customs authorities have introduced streamlined processes, allowing companies to complete declaration, inspection, and release procedures at the departure point.

Hangzhou Customs has also established a "green channel" for the freight service, offering 24/7 clearance by appointment and immediate inspection upon arrival.

Now in its 11th year of operation, the China-Europe freight service has expanded to 25 routes, reaching about 50 countries and 160 cities across Eurasia. Each year, more than 100,000 types of products made in Zhejiang are delivered to global markets through this vital channel.