A China-Europe (Xiamen) SSTL Railway Express departs from Xiamen. [Photo/WeChat account of Xiamen FTZ]

A China-Europe Secure and Smart Trade Line Pilot Program (SSTL) Railway Express recently departed from the Haicang Qianchang Station in Xiamen, bound for Poland. This marks the resumption of the China-Europe (Xiamen) SSTL Railway Express after a hiatus of 546 days.

The China-Europe (Xiamen) Railway Express is the first international railway service originating from a free trade zone in China and marks the first railway trial for the SSTL.

The SSTL is a collaborative effort between Chinese and European Customs aimed at enhancing trade security and convenience regulations between Asia and Europe. 

Since the beginning of the year, there has been a significant increase in maritime freight costs, making delivery times hard to guarantee. The SSTL Railway Express was designed to address the difficulties posed by high maritime shipping costs and slow delivery times.

To promote the stable and efficient operation of the China-Europe (Xiamen) Railway Express, the Xiamen Free Trade Zone worked in coordination with other relevant departments. 

They provided coordinated services to assist businesses, implementing a seamless cross-department interface and establishing a one-stop regulatory service to enhance the business environment. Furthermore, they innovatively utilized the "railway fast clearance" model to achieve data interoperability.

As of the end of June 2024, the China-Europe (Xiamen) Railway Express has operated a total of 1,339 trains, with a cumulative import and export value of 33.56 billion yuan ($4.1 billion).