Customs supervision channels at the "second-line" ports of Xinhai and Nanhai in Haikou for outbound cargos were officially put into operation on Thursday, marking another concrete step in advancing the regulatory framework of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).
It came after the country launched island-wide special customs operations on Thursday in the Hainan FTP, the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures.
The facilities serve as centralized inspection sites for trucks transporting goods leaving the island.
Under current arrangements, three categories of goods that enjoy facilitation measures at the "first line" -- zero-tariff goods, goods benefiting from duty-free treatment for value-added processing, and goods subject to relaxed trade management measures -- are required to pass through designated customs supervision channels at the "second line" when exiting Hainan.
The two second-line ports handled their first batch of outbound cargo shortly on Thursday morning, which included pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nuts, all of which are eligible for preferential policies.
"The first batch of our goods cleared here are medical device products, specifically disposable latex urinary catheters. The shipment totals 410,000 units, with a value of 880,000 yuan," said He Yongshen, general manager of Hainan Weili Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd.
According to customs authorities, the launch of the supervision channels is expected to provide more targeted support for industries that have benefited from policy incentives within the Hainan FTP framework.
"At present, the system mainly involves industries such as food processing, medical devices and jewelry," said He Bin, director of the Department of Free Trade Zone and Special Regional Development of Haikou Customs.
Haikou's "second-line" ports begin customs supervision operation
