In 2017, customs clearance capability has seen steady improvement in Guangdong, with a total volume of imports and exports through local ports reaching 470 million tons, growing by 10.7% year on year. The number of entry-exit vehicles and passengers increased by 1.2%, 2.1%, respectively.
The province has launched 350 international container shipment routes to connect with over 230 port cities among 80 countries and regions.
Guangdong has taken the lead in facilitating overseas trade, which allows for much faster and cheaper cargo clearance. Efforts are made to facilitate cargo clearance as follow.
Above all, a "single-window system" is adopted over the province.
The system, which is a metaphor to describe streamlined administration efforts, means that all export and import procedures can be done at one stop, a trade facilitation policy that enables faster and easier cargo clearance.
With the single window system launched province-wide, the volume of cargo declaration through the system has accounted for 36% of the national total by the end of 2017, ranking the first in China.
Furthermore, Guangdong has also topped in terms of the volume of average daily declaration and that of online application services available through the system.
Shorten the customs clearance process and cut the operation costs
Guangdong has been promoting the efficiency assessment system, as well as time limits on cargo loading and storage for the customs clearance service. Thus, the customs clearance process has been shortened by 1/3.
It has also facilitated the pilot project to exempt foreign trade enterprises that pass relevant inspection from paying hoisting, displacement and storage fees. Throughout 2017, the project has exempted more than 43,000 foreign trade enterprises from 101 million yuan worth of fees.
Strengthen the opening-up and construction of major ports
Efforts have been made to strengthen the construction of Baiyun International Airport No.2 Terminal Port, Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and West Kowloon Terminus of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
In addition, Guangdong has also facilitated the opening-up of Shenquan port area of Jieyang Port, Baoman port area and Donghaidao port area of Zhanjiang Port. The province has also coordinated the temporary opening-up of ports including Zhuhai Airport and Meixian Changgangji Airport.
Reported by Will, Heather
