When a family-owned chocolate factory in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei province, recently shipped its first overseas order — 5.47 metric tons of products bound for Indonesia — it marked a long-awaited milestone for three generations of chocolatiers and a small but telling sign of the area's widening connections to the world.

Official data shows that the total import and export value of Xiong'an products reached 71.95 billion yuan ($10 billion) in 2025, an increase of nearly 19 times year-on-year, as more local companies begin exploring international markets, according to Wang Jianhua, head of Xiong'an customs' enterprise management and inspection department.

Wang said the area's major imports last year included crude oil, plastics, mechanical and electrical products, refined oil and high-tech products, while exports were led by refined oil, textiles and related products, mechanical and electrical products, plastic products, and luggage cases.

For Jiakang Food Manufacturing Co in Anxin county, stepping onto the global stage had long felt out of reach.

"This first export batch holds immense significance for our family business," said Shi Jia'ao, the company's general manager.

Facing unfamiliar export procedures from documentation to packaging standards, the company sought help from customs officers.

"Xiong'an customs officers came directly to our factory," Shi recalled. "They provided hands-on guidance, helping us meet all the client's requirements to pass the final inspection efficiently."

With customs clearance streamlined, the company is now preparing a second, larger shipment to Indonesia and exploring new overseas markets, he said.

Driving this business transformation is a comprehensive, proactive support system engineered in Xiong'an, an emerging economic engine in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

"We are committed to providing precise, tailored services for different enterprises," said Wang Jianhua, from Xiong'an customs.

He added that a major focus has been supporting enterprises relocated from neighboring Beijing. For these key players, the customs authority has developed individualized policy packages, established green channels, and resolved enterprises' specific operational hurdles.

These efforts included facilitating tax payment guarantees worth 3.436 billion yuan for relocated enterprises in 2025 alone.

Local specialty exporters, including Shi's company, receive targeted capacity-building support.

The customs department, in collaboration with commerce authorities, organizes specialized training and offers end-to-end compliance coaching.

"This ensures companies producing goods like chocolates, certified vegetables, and bamboo products are well-prepared for overseas standards," Wang said.

This efficiency is further enhanced by the smart customs initiative. By integrating big data, artificial intelligence, and internet of things technologies, Xiong'an customs has built a digital supervision ecosystem.

Key features include a smart platform for the bonded area that enables interactive oversight and automated risk alerts.

Additionally, enhanced regional logistics links, including electronic systems connecting to Beijing's major airports, also allow companies to manage their entire supply chain seamlessly from Xiong'an.

The initial export of chocolate in Xiong'an symbolizes the broader potential now being realized.

"By combining targeted policy support, technological innovation, and responsive service, we are confident Xiong'an will keep advancing as a dynamic hub in global trade," Wang said.