Wednesday, July 25, 2018

ShenZhen City aims to become free trade port by 2020

SHENZHEN has set a target of "basically" becoming a free trade port by 2020 by consolidating port facilities, improving the multi-modal transportation system, and promoting the development of green, intelligent and modern shipping services.

In the latest version of a government gazette, the Shenzhen government said it is rallying support from the Central Government to pilot the free trade program at Shenzhen Port. Once approved, the city will cancel, or simplify, to the maximum degree, the cargo supervision measures in port areas, implement a high-standard trade supervision mechanism in eastern and western port areas, and improve port competitiveness through simplified customs clearance procedures.

Shenzhen is now the world's third-largest container port. In 2017, its container throughput increased by 5.13 percent year on year to 25.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). It is an important pillar for Shenzhen's participation in global competition and acceleration of the development of a high-level open economy, the gazette said.

To promote coordinated development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen will innovate its customs clearance mode by piloting the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Free Trade Link program at Qianhai & Shekou Area of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and exploring the integration of logistics services between Shenzhen and Hong Kong ports.

Meanwhile, Shenzhen will strengthen its cooperation with neighboring ports in Zhongshan and Dongguan, pilot a one-stop program for customs declaration, inspection and clearance, and gradually push forward the integration of customs clearance among ports in the Greater Bay Area.

Shenzhen will implement an intelligent port project to improve customs clearance efficiency, with a target of reducing cargo-flow time by one-third.

The city will promote information sharing between checkpoints, and introduce a joint and one-stop inspection mode to improve customs clearance efficiency. It will pilot a joint inspection program for live and fresh products imported via e-commerce platforms to ensure fast logistics services for imported aquatic products.

To improve the business environment, the city will scrap exit-entry quarantine and inspection fees and lower the inspection frequencies on imported and exported products. Shenzhen will also enhance policy and fund support for projects related to port development, port logistics and cargo forwarding businesses.


Source:Shenzhen Daily

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