Chinese consumers snap up overseas gifts in New Year festivities

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This year, the Chinese New Year gets a romantic twist, as Valentine's Day falls just a day before the Lunar New Year's eve. The timing gives Chinese online shoppers double the excuse to go on a buying spree. And cross-border e-commerce is hitting fever pitch as Chinese holiday makers are buying more foods and gifts from abroad.

What about some fresh imported lobsters for a dinner for two on Valentine's Day or the big feast on New Year's Eve?

“Daily fresh produce imports last week have surged 30 percent from a year ago. In January, the total fresh produce imports jumped 15 percent from a year ago,” said Huang Zhen, a department manager for Beijing Capital Airport.

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Less red tape for customs clearance allows Chinese holiday makers to make last minute orders. On top of fresh produce, orders for imported Valentine's Day gifts like chocolates, toys and luxury goods, have at least doubled.

“Usually we handle 200 orders per day for imported chocolate, but last week there were about 600 orders per day. Orders for toys doubled from 1,000 orders per day to 2,000,” said Dao Lu, who is in charge of Beijing Branch of Shanghai Weisheng Customs Clearance Services.

This year's Chinese New Year holiday is later than last year. That means the surge in online orders ahead of the New Year is seasonally distorted.

But Chinese consumers bought home triple the value of imported goods online in 2017, based on official data. That shows an increasing awareness of quality in China, which will continue to fuel the growth of online economy.