Customs streamline clearance process for CIIE

To support the China International Import Expo (CIIE), Chinese customs has further streamlined the clearance process for exhibitors' plants and animal products.

In preparation for the CIIE, Shanghai Customs has set up special channels for exhibitors, and adopted a fully paperless process. Exhibitors can submit applications online and receive their entrance approvals within 48 hours.

"We have opened special-purpose channels for imports, providing 24 hours by 7 days inspection booking services. At the inspection site, we have also set up special channels for CIIE goods to ensure that the exhibits can be inspected and approved right upon arrival," said Zhang Shujun, section head of the Goods Control Bureau of Shanghai Pudong Airport Customs under Shanghai Customs.

Now the first batch of avocados from Australia, which is yet to acquire China's quarantine access, has already entered Shanghai and is ready to for exhibition, thanks to the CIIE special permission policy.

The General Administration of Customs (GAC) rolled out a policy last year to grant special permission for CIIE exhibits, which allows plant and animal products without quarantine access from non-epidemic areas to enter the Chinese border for exhibition in the prerequisites that the assessment has confirmed that the risks are controllable. To further streamline the customs clearance procedure, the GAC authorized Shanghai Customs to handle the permissions directly this year.

"In the past, animal and plant products without quarantine access could not enter China. The special permission policy now allows these exhibits to appear at the CIIE. This year, we have stepped up the policy support, and reduced the scope of products required for special permissions. Previously such permissions could only be granted by the General Administration of Customs, but this year, authorized by the GAC, they could be acquired from the Shanghai Customs. This has further shortened the approval process and improved the efficiency," said Cui Jinlu, section head of the Shanghai Customs Animal and Plant Quarantine Bureau.

A giant panda was seen frolicking with pure joy in the snow by visitors at the Qinling Wildlife Park in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Monday.

Meng Meng was quietly eating bamboo when the first flakes appeared.

Excited to see the snow, the panda joyfully ran and tumbled around the outdoor enclosure, playing with its toys.

According to zookeepers, giant pandas are untroubled by cold weather but are less partial to heat, so snowy weather brings perfect conditions for them to get outside and enjoy some health-boosting exercise.