Partnership of port operators to improve customs efficiency

The Asia-Pacific Model E-port Network has initiated several projects involving the partnership of port operators in Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and overseas cities like New South Wales in Australia.

The move is expected to help improve the efficiency of customs clearance and allow consumers to track the cross-border goods origins via E-port system connection and data exchange.

APMEN was established in 2014 to promote the development of model E-Port in APEC economies and enhance connectivity among cargo hubs in the Asia-Pacific. It has 16 port members including New South Wales in Australia and Vancouver in Canada.

The partnership is expected to promote the application of electronic origin certificate.

The paper version of origin certificate is required in products’ export process to enjoy zero tariff, but it is sometimes embarrassing when commodities have arrived at ports, while the certificates have not been delivered, said Dr.Li Li, chief expert of APMEN Operational Center.

The partnership will allow the synchronous arrival of exported commodities and certificates, which is convenient and time efficient for enterprises, she said.

The APMEN Operational Center in Shanghai has also signed a memorandum of understanding with China Merchants Port and Shanghai Waigaoqiao FTZ Group and Nansha FTZ (Guangdong) management committee in the field of platform establishment which allows consumers to track down overseas goods, logistics, quality and authentication of government authorities.