Jining in East China's Shandong province has been ramping up efforts to create a convenient port business environment for cross-border traders.

In the first half of 2021, Jining's imports and exports reached 28.41 billion yuan ($4.39 billion), an increase of 29.8 percent compared to last year.

The city has created a list of 62 concrete measures that it plans to implement, which includes reforming customs clearance procedures and building smart online platforms. For example, a variety of customs declaration methods are available now, such as the “two-step declaration” which allows importers to submit part of the required documents upon the goods' arrival and add other necessary information within 14 days after the release of the goods. This method has saved importers 10 percent of time in declaring goods compared to last year.

The number of required documents when making customs declaration has also been reduced.

In addition, the city has launched an online platform to improve customs clearance efficiency. Companies can apply for customs inspection and check the status of the inspection process through the platform.

Jining also makes full use of the "single window" to handle export tax refund services, which can complete all procedures within four working days.

Jining customs is currently working with other related government departments to build Yanzhou International Land Port into a major opening-up platform. The port is expected to be completed by the end of this year as the construction of a number of support facilities, such as customs warehouses, has been finished.