Qianhai air cargo takes fast track through HK

Shenzhen Customs has boosted freight transport efficiency by allowing cargo exported overseas to be inspected and assembled in Qianhai Bay bonded area, instead of Hong Kong International Airport.

Customs launched its pilot reform on June 29, when the first batch of trial goods went to Hong Kong airport directly for loading after finishing customs inspections in Qianhai Bay.

Previously tallying of and airline space booking for exported goods could not be done until the cargo arrived at Hong Kong airport, as goods needed to first go through customs inspection there.

That delayed cargo loading and its transport to other countries and regions. Processing time was hard to pre- dict, making it difficult for enterprises to book cargo space in advance.

The new measure saves time and lowers costs. Enterprises now have a definite departure time and would be able to book space for the cargo, a customs official said.

Shenzhen Customs said more than 95 percent of exported goods handled by Hong Kong International Airport come from the southern part of the Chinese mainland, with export volumes reaching 100,000 tons a month.

Customs said it will make efforts to extend the new measures to Shenzhen and Guangzhou airports, the other two major airports in the Pearl River Delta region. This is to further improve efficiency, with the aim of enabling cargos to reach overseas destinations within eight hours of leaving Qianhai.