Shaoyang boosts cross-border e-commerce to expand global reach

Shaoyang, located in central China's Hunan province, is stepping up its efforts to make its manufactured products available to global consumers through cross-border e-commerce.

The provincial government has recently issued an implementation plan for the China (Shaoyang) Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone, which outlines key targets and measures for the next three to five years. 

By 2030, Shaoyang aims to attract and cultivate at least three major cross-border e-commerce companies, establish more than two industry clusters and three industrial parks, and raise cross-border e-commerce imports and exports to more than 1.5 billion yuan ($210 million).

The initiative builds on Shaoyang's strong manufacturing base. The city is home to three national foreign trade transformation bases, specializing in luggage, hair products and lighters. The company produces approximately 70 percent of the world's injection-moulded lighters and 80% of its paper red envelopes, as well as a significant share of China's schoolbags and small hardware products.

Improved transport links are also driving expansion. Since 2023, new rail-sea and land-sea freight routes have cut logistics times by two to three days and reduced costs by approximately 30 percent.

The plan introduces tax incentives, streamlined customs procedures and easier cross-border currency settlement, with the aim of transforming Shaoyang into a regional trade hub for ASEAN and Africa.