Taizhou issues its first China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin to Shuangma Plastic Manufacturing Co. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

On May 11, Shuangma Plastic Manufacturing Co in Taizhou, Zhejiang province obtained a China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin, saving 5,200 yuan ($718.45) in tariffs. This marked Taizhou's first issuance of such a certificate.

The company specializes in the production and export of plastic kitchenware. "With the certificate, we enjoyed a tariff reduction from 30 percent to 27 percent on a shipment to Ecuador worth $23,900," said Yang Wenjun, the company's executive deputy general manager.

The China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect on May 1, stipulates the elimination of tariffs on 90 percent of tariff items, with 60 percent going into effect immediately upon enactment.

"Tariffs on Shuangma's plastic kitchenware will gradually decrease to zero in 10 years," explained Du Jinru, deputy director of the Linhai office of Taizhou Customs.

Taizhou Kwonglam Sewing Machine Technology Co also received a certificate of origin for two embroidery machines, expecting a 3.75 percent tariff concession in Ecuador, saving about 1,600 yuan.

From January to April, Taizhou Customs reported 310 companies exporting to Ecuador, with an export value of 160 million yuan.