Ningbo, Zhejiang province received the first batch of Central and Eastern European (CEE) exhibits for the upcoming expo, setting the stage for deeper economic and cultural exchanges.

On the morning of April 29, a shipment of pre-packaged foods from North Macedonia — including hot sauces, vegetable spreads, and fruit jams — cleared customs at Ningbo airport. These goods are destined for the Ningbo International Conference Center, where the 4th China–CEEC Expo will soon open.

"These pre-packaged foods are all new to the Chinese market," said Zhang Wenhu, director of the trade exhibition division for the expo. "North Macedonia has broken its own record for both product variety and volume. In the past, their participation focused mainly on red wine, but this year, the offerings are more diverse."

Ningbo International Logistics Development Co Ltd is managing all customs clearance and logistics for incoming exhibits. According to the team, over half of the CEE countries have already arranged transportation for their displays, with most goods arriving through the airport customs channel.

"The clearance process for this first batch went very smoothly," said Yuan Shenmiao, expo project manager. "From early-stage registration to final release, we received professional and efficient support from Ningbo Customs, which gave us great confidence in the timeline."

To streamline the process, Ningbo Customs has established a dedicated declaration window and consultation hotline for the expo, providing services such as priority handling and pre-arrival appointments.

"Given the large number of food and cosmetics involved, we've implemented expedited inspections and releases while ensuring compliance with all the regulations," said Shen Zui, chief of the comprehensive services division at Ningbo Airport Customs.

As China's only national-level expo dedicated to CEE countries, the event continues to serve as a vital platform for strengthening bilateral trade. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Ningbo's trade with CEE countries reached 15.29 billion yuan ($2.1 billion), up 19.8 percent year-on-year.