During the bustling "Double 11" shopping festival, Shanghai Customs has implemented a series of measures to ensure smooth and efficient customs clearance amid the surge in cross-border e-commerce imports.

These improvements have notably reduced both clearance times and costs for imported goods such as motorcycles. As a result, companies are better prepared to handle the increased demand, facilitating faster and more cost-effective cross-border trade.

Imported motorcycles benefit from expedited clearance. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Li Qingsi, logistics manager at Honda Motorcycle Sales (Shanghai), expressed satisfaction as the imported motorcycles arrived three days earlier than last year and cost 150 yuan less per vehicle to clear customs.

This progress is attributed to a new pilot program by Shanghai Customs, which assesses and classifies the risk of imported motorcycles. Products are categorized by risk level, allowing low-risk items to benefit from expedited clearance.

Moreover, the streamlining of import documents and procedures has cut clearance times by over 20 percent.

At Shanghai Pudong International Airport, business volume has also risen. In anticipation of the early start and extended duration of the promotion, Pudong Airport Customs has taken proactive steps.

They established a special liaison with major e-commerce platforms and declaration companies to better understand promotional plans, predict peak volumes, and ensure companies are prepared with sufficient tax guarantees.

New measures have also been introduced to facilitate returns. Pudong Airport Customs has streamlined the process for returning goods by merging import return parcels with export declarations, thereby reducing costs and speeding up operations.

Lin Han, customs affairs director at Shanghai Eastern Air Logistics, said that the dedicated customs return service has significantly reduced return times and costs for items like clothing and footwear, which are commonly returned by customers.

Additionally, a "green channel" has been set up to ensure fast clearance for compliant goods, while maintaining strict inspections for high-risk items. This approach helps maintain safety while ensuring quick processing of cross-border goods.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport Customs ensures fast clearance for imported parcels. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]