Two Lishui Customs officers inspect products from Zhejiang Santian A/C Compressor in Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo provided by Lishui Customs]

Auto parts companies in Lishui, Zhejiang province, are accelerating their expansion into APEC markets, supported by government-enterprise efforts to resolve customs bottlenecks and modernize procedures.

When Zhejiang Santian A/C Compressor, a specialized "little giant" enterprise, ventured into APEC markets, it faced customs efficiency challenges.

Lishui Customs designated Santian as a key Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) and provided tailored guidance, with customs officers helping establish standardized trade processes and integrate AEO standards.

The company was also advised to use facilitated clearance modes, such as advanced declaration and appointment-based services.

After AEO certification, Santian's clearance times in markets such as Malaysia fell by about 40 percent, with inspection rates also declining.

In the first three quarters, its exports exceeded 430 million yuan ($60.94 million), up 22 percent year-on-year, including 189 million yuan to APEC economies, up 18.4 percent.

Zhejiang Xinjing Air Conditioning Equipment is similarly accelerating its APEC market development, targeting Thailand as a key hub.

To address challenges such as rules of origin and local regulations, Lishui Customs provided one-on-one consulting, streamlined export procedures, and established an APEC policy-briefing mechanism to clarify core requirements.

As APEC cooperation continues to advance regional trade facilitation, more "made in Lishui" products are gaining momentum in the vast Asia-Pacific market through enhanced capability and efficiency.