Shine-Link International Logistics Co Ltd became the first Shanghai importer to enjoy fast clearance with the advance manifest rule adopted by Shanghai Customs.

Advance manifest requires a company to submit its bill of lading to the customs for supervision before the ship’s arrival. A clearance agent is held responsible for the authenticity, accuracy and standardization of declared goods.

The new practice can cut the clearance time by at least half day. It is one of 23 innovative measures Shanghai Customs has adopted since 2014 to support the development of Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

Apart from the advance manifest rule, Shanghai Customs also improved services for high-tech companies in the zone. It set up an air cargo clearance service center in Zhangjiang High-Tech Park to provide services in one-stop-shop style, cutting waiting time from two working days to eight or six hours.

Customs formalities for imports of reagents, product samples and equipment by pharmaceutical and semiconductor companies have been streamlined, benefiting about 900 companies in the free trade zone.

Shanghai Customs pledged to lower the threshold for small and medium-sized firms and provide convenience for service outsourcing companies and advanced companies that produce aircraft and new energy vehicles.

Source: Shanghai FTZ Government.cn