Cutting barriers

Heilongjiang Tianyouwei Electronics Co, a manufacturer of automotive instrument clusters and intelligent cockpits in Suihua, Heilongjiang province, has strengthened its foothold in overseas markets by enhancing the competitiveness of its products and leveraging international trade facilitation policies such as the Authorized Economic Operator program.

The program was advocated by the World Customs Organization in 2007 to strengthen international supply chain security and facilitate the movement of legitimate goods.

Under the AEO, customs authorities from various countries and regions form partnerships with industries to collaboratively cut barriers to customs procedures and enhance international trade efficiency.

Heilongjiang Tianyouwei, with more than 4,900 employees, exported 580 million yuan in products to Northeast Asian markets in the first seven months of this year, accounting for nearly half of its total exports during this period, Harbin Customs data showed.

"After becoming an AEO-certified company in January, we have gained not only greater efficiency in customs clearance, but also improvements in management standards, business reputation and overall competitiveness," said Shan Dan, a manager at the company's foreign trade unit.