Trains bring more German products to China

HANGZHOU — Railway freight is bringing an increasing number of German products to China, according to Chinese customs authorities.

A shipment of baby formula and beverages from Germany arrived at a transborder e-commerce zone in Hangzhou last week. This is the 58th shipment received by Dolphin Cross-Border Technology Co Ltd, an e-commerce company.

"German goods are thought to be durable. Dinnerware, children's car seats, water purifiers, and baby formula are very popular with Chinese consumers," said Hu Xiaoxiao, manager of the company.

Hangzhou customs said German goods are some of the most diverse imported goods they see.

Since May last year, over 64 million yuan (about $9.4 million) worth of German products have been imported via the China-Europe rail link, about 37 percent of the total amount of imported products via the route, according to Hangzhou customs.

The goods arrive in Yiwu, then travel to the neighboring cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo before being distributed nationwide.

The train route linking Duisburg, Germany with Yiwu takes 14 days, about half the time needed for sea transport. "It is a cost-saving and time efficient means of transport," said Hu.

According to the General Administration of Customs, trade volume between China and Germany from January to May was 434.5 billion yuan (about $63.9 billion), up 13.4 percent year-on-year. Import volume was valued at 247.3 billion yuan (about $36.4 billion), up 12.4 percent, while export volume was 187.2 billion yuan (27.5 billion dollars), up 14.7 percent.