In the first half of 2025, Dongguan's foreign trade has demonstrated remarkable strength and flexibility. According to the Dongguan Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Dongguan), the city issued over 102,600 certificates of origin, up 83.8 percent year-on-year, reaching 76 percent of the total for all of 2024.

Certificates of Origin

Certificates of origin are essential legal documents in international trade, helping exporters prove the origin of their goods, enjoy tariff reductions, and improve customs clearance efficiency. This growth not only reflects robust export activity, but also highlights Dongguan enterprises' increasing ability to make full use of trade policies.

Preferential certificates under free trade agreements (FTAs) saw especially notable increases. A total of 70,800 preferential certificates were issued, surged by 125.5% compared to last year, with goods valued at 1,295 million US dollars, an increase of 129.88%. Non-preferential certificates also performed steadily, with 31,800 certificates for shipments issued worth 752 million US dollars.

Among preferential certificates, those under the China-ASEAN agreement grew by 210.37 percent, China-Korea by 203.15 percent, and RCEP by 73.47 percent in volume. The value of RCEP-related exports increased by 223.77 percent, reaching 80 million US dollars.

The impressive growth in both quantity and value reflects how Dongguan enterprises are effectively leveraging FTA benefits to cut costs and boost export competitiveness. Officials say the city will continue to enhance services that help companies understand and apply rules of origin, supporting high-quality development in foreign trade.