A recent photo captured on May 27, 2025, depicts vehicles lining up for inspection and clearance at the Horgos road port in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of northwest China. As the largest land port for automobile exports in the country, Horgos Port has embraced a 24-hour freight clearance system, operational seven days a week, significantly enhancing the logistics of trade. Statistical data provided by Horgos Customs highlights that in 2024, the port exported approximately 421,000 vehicles, marking a historic peak.

Over the last few years, the range of options available for freight companies seeking outbound customs clearance to neighboring Kazakhstan has expanded significantly. The traditional cage truck loading method has evolved alongside innovative and cost-effective solutions such as 'self-driving export,' which have been instrumental in advancing business operations in the region and boosting overall customs clearance efficiencies.

Gao Yun, a car transporter, utilizes the self-driving export strategy to deliver Chinese new energy vehicles from Horgos to a transit parking lot on the Kazakhstan side. She is part of a growing community of car transporters, indicating that the burgeoning automobile export sector is not only enhancing trade but also fostering local employment and economic growth along the China-Kazakhstan border. The vehicles exported from Horgos find their way to numerous cities across Kazakhstan and other Central Asian nations.

Further showcasing the activity at the Horgos port, commercial vehicles were seen queuing for export in the early hours of June 11, 2025. The continued operational efficiency of this key export port underscores the importance of Horgos in facilitating the movement of goods across borders, thereby strengthening trade connections.

Aerial views captured by drones on May 22, 2025, exhibit a bustling transit parking lot in Zharkent, Kazakhstan, emphasizing the significance of this location in the broader logistics chain. The imagery highlights the active interplay between Horgos and its neighboring markets.

In another instance, on May 29, 2025, a car transporter was photographed navigating through the customs entrance at the Horgos road port, illustrating the meticulous processes involved in ensuring lightweight vehicle exports. Similarly, on June 11, 2025, Gao Yun was seen scanning QR codes for customs clearance at an inspection site—demonstrating the integration of technology into logistics operations.

As new energy vehicles make their way out of the Kazakhstan port towards the Zharkent transit lot, on May 22, 2025, the local workforce actively engages with these imports, highlighting the interconnectedness of these cross-border commerce activities.

Inspection protocols are rigorously enforced, as seen on May 23, 2025, when a vehicle inspector examined newly arrived Chinese new energy vehicles in Zharkent. This careful oversight ensures that quality and compliance standards are met consistently.

Gao Yun's journey with an exported vehicle culminated as she arrived at a parking lot in Zharkent on May 23, 2025, even navigating through rainy weather. This experience illustrates the persistence and dedication of transporters in the often challenging logistics environment.

On June 10, 2025, Gao Yun was photographed with her passport in front of the newly inaugurated national gate at Horgos, symbolizing not only her personal achievement but also the broader implications of strengthening cross-border trade relations between China and Kazakhstan.

Lastly, a compilation of images showcases the presence of Chinese new energy vehicles traversing the streets of Almaty, Kazakhstan, captured between May 15 and May 26, 2025. These visuals reflect the growing acceptance and integration of Chinese automotive technology within Central Asian markets, paving the way for future trade opportunities.