Freight train service launched between Zhengzhou and Liege
March 12, 2019 Category China News Round-up, Weekly
A new freight train service between Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province and Liege in Belgium was launched, extending the logistics network between China and Europe. It is the first railway express line exclusively for cross-border e-commerce in China, and also the first freight line in the country to operate under customs surveillance code 9610 for cross-border e-commerce, according to the Zhengzhou International Hub Development and Construction Co, the local carrier. The code allows e-commerce retailers to deliver goods separately and declare all imported and exported goods collectively, it said.
Using paperless electronic customs clearance improves the efficiency of customs clearance, and facilitates access to tracking information. Two trains will depart each week between Zhengzhou and Liege. It is expected that it will cut logistics costs by 30%, said Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group.
“The freight line is a new milestone in strengthening our global smart logistics network, with six global hubs around the world – Liege, Dubai, Hangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Moscow,” according to Cainiao Network. The new train service is much cheaper than air transportation, and faster compared with sea transport. Products, will be delivered to 28 countries, including Poland, France and the Czech Republic. China-Europe freight trains made 6,363 trips last year, up 73% year-on-year, connecting 59 cities in China with 49 cities in 15 European countries.
Last December, Cainiao also signed an agreement with Liege Airport to build a world-class smart logistics hub at the airport, which is expected to open in early 2021. It also launched a cargo flight service between Hangzhou and Liege to ensure fast delivery of goods, the China Daily reports.
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