On September 10, 2021, with a whistle buzzing, a China-Europe train slowly drove out of the Urumqi International Dry Port Area, exiting the Alashankou port, and bound for Germany. This is China's first "Rail Express" outbound China-Europe Express. The China-Europe Express train operated in this mode means that all customs clearance procedures have been completed at the place of departure and can be released directly at the port, thus improving the efficiency of customs clearance again.

Since 2021, the number of China-Europe freight trains has risen sharply, and the Xinjiang port has become the main entry and exit port of China-Europe freight trains. In order to further open the large international logistics channel to the west and improve the efficiency of China-Europe freight trains, the General Administration of Customs proposed the implementation of a new customs supervision model for railway express. Enterprises can apply for railway express service according to their own needs, and the railway department shall transmit electronic railway manifest data to the customs in advance in accordance with regulations. By reviewing, releasing, and writing off the electronic data of railway manifests, the customs realizes the supervision of the transit transportation of import and export goods carried by railway trains without the need for companies to declare separately and go through customs procedures.

Zhang Jiwei, manager of the customs declaration department of the Xinjiang Branch of Xi'an Xiangyan Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., became the first attempter of this reform. "Through this model, I only need to fill in the customs declaration form, no need to fill in the transfer form, and the export procedures are reduced from 6 to 5. This link saves 2-3 days." Zhang Jiwei said.

When the "Rail Express" outbound train was officially dispatched in the Urumqi International Dry Port Zone, an international express train also entered the border from Khorgos Port to Chongqing through the rail express mode. This train will also go through all the entry formalities at Khorgos Customs, and it can be directly shipped to Chongqing. There is no need to go through the customs transfer and write-off procedures at Chongqing Customs.

Wu Wei, Deputy Commissioner of Urumqi Customs, said: "This reform can further enhance its cargo collection effect and competitiveness. The customs will encourage domestic cargoes to be transported by rail in dry port areas, and help more products go through China-Europe trains. Going out, continue to promote the quality and efficiency of Xinjiang's open economy." Editor/Tian Zengpeng