Rudong county in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, saw its trade with ASEAN members surge 81.61 percent year-on-year to 7.43 billion yuan ($1.11 billion) in the first seven months, according to Rudong Customs.

Local company Jiangsu Frida New Material obtained a China-ASEAN certificate of origin for antioxidant shipments worth over 500,000 yuan bound for Thailand, securing over 20,000 yuan in tariff savings.

Jiangsu Frida New Material. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

The company's certificate-covered exports exceeded 27 million yuan from January to July, up 13 percent year-on-year, as ASEAN demand strengthened.

"With steady growth in ASEAN market demand this year, combined with the issuance of certificates of origin, our price advantage has become even more prominent," said Xu Xiaoliang, deputy general manager of the company.

The certificates enable the company's antioxidant exports to enjoy tariff reductions of 4 to 6 percentage points in ASEAN markets, Xu added.

To help local firms seize opportunities, Rudong Customs offers tailored guidance on free trade agreement utilization and promotes a customs' "intelligent review" system that enables automated certificate approval and enterprise self-printing for streamlined processing.

The customs authority also streamlines clearance via advance declarations and appointment-based inspections. These measures cut compliance costs and boost global competitiveness.

Moving forward, the local customs will continue refining its services to help "Made in Rudong" products expand their global footprint, while ensuring efficient export channels for enterprises tapping ASEAN markets.