As the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) approaches, the arrival of overseas exhibits via sea freight is nearing completion. At around 23:30 on October 30, the Japanese vessel "First Salute" docked smoothly at Yangshan Port's Phase IV terminal. Two containers carrying CIIE exhibits were swiftly unloaded and transferred to a dedicated storage area, marking the successful customs clearance of these delayed items.
The containers held the world's first intelligent cleaning robot, developed by Germany's Karcher, set to debut at this year's CIIE. The main unit and accessories were packed separately in two containers under a consolidated shipment arrangement. Originally scheduled to arrive in Shanghai around October 20, the vessel carrying the exhibits altered its route at Qingdao Port, causing a nearly 10-day delay.
The shipping delay disrupted the exhibition setup schedule. "The CIIE venue closes for final preparations on November 3, meaning all exhibits must be installed by November 2. Every day of delay increases the risk," the exhibitor explained. Upon learning about the eight service measures introduced by Shanghai immigration authorities to support CIIE, the exhibitor immediately contacted the expo-dedicated hotline (12367), expressing trust and hope for expedited customs clearance through a green channel.
In response, the Shanghai Immigration Inspection General Station formed a coordination task force. The Yangshan Immigration Inspection Station, responsible for the vessel's docking location, tracked the exhibitor's needs, verified the ship's navigation route, estimated the latest arrival time, and devised a plan to accelerate post-arrival procedures.
"This vessel was initially scheduled to stop at Qingdao before heading to Yangshan, but Busan Port in South Korea was added midway, extending the voyage and operational timeline," said Chen Wenpeng, an officer at Yangshan Immigration Inspection Station's command center.
From ship to exhibition booth, the exhibits still needed to undergo multiple steps, including docking, unloading, customs inspection, and transportation. To compensate for the shipping delay, seamless collaboration across departments and tight coordination at every stage were crucial.
At 17:00 on October 29, upon receiving the vessel's preliminary arrival notice, Yangshan Immigration Inspection Station promptly contacted the shipping agent to obtain vessel and crew details. The station processed pre-arrival inspection procedures online via the International Trade "Single Window" system, ensuring immediate unloading upon docking. Meanwhile, relevant port authorities were notified. Yangshan Customs automatically reviewed the submitted vessel documents through its smart customs system, guaranteeing smooth cargo entry.
On the night of the vessel's arrival, the pilot station facilitated precise navigation, and the terminal operator prioritized unloading. This multi-agency relay ensured rapid customs clearance and transit for the exhibits.
"The customs clearance and cargo pickup were much faster than expected. We sincerely appreciate the support from immigration and other port authorities, which gave us ample time for setup," said a Karcher representative.
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