In Qingdao, fruit gets speedy customs clearance

The Port of Qingdao in Shandong province — which has the greatest capacity in China for refrigerated containers — imported a total of 23,400 metric tons of fruit from Thailand in the January-October period, an increase of 41.54 percent year-on-year, customs data showed recently.

The port has launched 13 direct routes to Laem Chabang Port and the Port of Bangkok in Thailand every week, Qingdao Customs said, adding that good-quality Thai fruit can reach Qingdao Port in seven days.

Qingdao Customs has rolled out 25 measures to guarantee six-hour clearance procedures for perishable goods coming from members of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.

Qingdao Dongfang Dingxin International Agricultural Products Trading Center, located in the Jimo district, is the largest fruit market in Shandong province. Customs allows fruit containers to be transported from the port to the trading center's warehouses before inspection.

Better logistics service, as well as customs and trade facilitation, allow more quality Thai fruit to enter the Chinese market via Qingdao Port, contributing to the growth of bilateral trade, development of relevant sectors and supply to the consumer market, officials said.