The State Council issued a statement on Dec 24 approving cross-border e-commerce pilot zones in 24 cities, including Yantai.

A series of preferential measures will be explored in the pilot zones, such as exempting the added-value and consumption tax for cross-border e-commerce retail.

Local governments should encourage the pilot zones to simplify the approval process in logistics, storage, and customs clearance, promote inclusive and prudent supervision, facilitate free and convenient international trade, as well as make innovative breakthroughs in business types, according to the statement.

The statement also asked related departments to work to prevent risks in national security, cyber security, trade safety, and bio-safety, as well as to guarantee import and export products' quality.

As a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, Yantai’s cross-border e-commerce industry has been developing rapidly to become a key channel for innovation. Boosting cross-border e-commerce will help create jobs, expand the market, and bring new energy to the city’s economy.

E-commerce has been playing a big role in driving the city’s agricultural industry, which has led to the establishment of a quality supervision and traceability platform for agricultural products. More e-commerce supply chains will be established to promote special agro products.