Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Chen Qiangwei) news: According to the Customs at the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center on January 7, 2026, in 2025, the center handled 9.99 million crossings and 5.24 million pieces of luggage, up 33.3 percent and 55.1 percent on the year before, and both figures set a new record for the same period.

Photo taken on December 31, 2025 shows customs officers at China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center inspect and clear passengers. (Photo by Wu Ying)

Built jointly with Kazakhstan, the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center is the country's first cross-border economic zone. In 2025, its mix of visa-free entry, duty-free shopping and same-day trips turned it into a must-visit stop for travelers from China and abroad.

Chen Zhonghao, deputy head of the second inspection section at the center's customs office, said, "Smart travel checks cut manual baggage searches by 43.7 percent in 2025. Fewer searches mean shoppers move faster and enjoy the trip more."

To keep the rising crowds flowing, customs runs a 24/7 pre-booked clearance service, adds smart temperature scans and contact-free inspection, and keeps squeezing the stop time: most travelers now clear in fifteen seconds.

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