Ningbo airport sees 144.6% surge in foreign trade in first three quarters

Customs officials inspect imported porcelain. [Photo by Wu Biao/Yongpai App]

Ningbo airport recorded a sharp increase in cross-border trade in the first three quarters of 2026, with the total value of imports and exports reaching 35.13 billion yuan ($5.26 billion), up 144.6 percent year-on-year, according to Ningbo Customs.

Exports surged 198.4 percent to 27.68 billion yuan, while imports rose 46.5 percent to 7.45 billion yuan. In September alone, trade value hit 6.84 billion yuan, soaring 320.9 percent year-on-year and increasing 18.9 percent month-on-month.

The growth was supported by an expanding international air cargo network. Four freight routes connecting Ningbo with Liege, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Tokyo resumed operations this year, strengthening links with major aviation hubs across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Mechanical and electrical products led export growth, reaching nearly 25 billion yuan, up 406.8 percent year-on-year. Electronic components accounted for 16.52 billion yuan, while exports of automatic data processing equipment and parts increased 13-fold.

Streamlined customs procedures have also helped businesses move goods faster. Advance declaration allows documents to be reviewed before shipments arrive, reducing delays for time-sensitive cargo such as chips. One local mobile phone manufacturer now serves markets in more than 90 countries.