The customs checkpoint is situated at Nianggong village and near the Haixia Bridge. It will boast 21 lanes with different functions. [Photo/english.pingtan.gov.cn]

With the pending completion of the construction of a customs checkpoint in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in Fujian province, the authorities have recently introduced customs clearance procedures for vehicles – especially for trucks going in and out.

The customs checkpoint, situated at Nianggong village and near the Haixia Bridge, which is the only overland means of entry and exit to Pingtan, will boast 21 lanes with different functions.

Trucks will have to pass through access lanes, no matter whether or not they need to declare loaded goods. There are eight lanes for trucks in and out of Pingtan.

Trucks entering Pingtan must go through a "declaration lane" if they have goods that are liable for a tax rebate. They can use the "non-declaration lane" if they agree to abandon the tax rebate.

As for trucks departing Pingtan, they will receive automatic examinations of onboard goods at the first gate before being given a green light.

"The information of goods in trucks will be filed on a custom information platform after declaration, and erased once the trucks are out of town," explains Liu Chunsheng, a director of a customs working office in Pingtan.

"Normal passenger vehicles and personnel will use the main access, which contains six outbound lanes and seven inbound lanes, to go in and out of Pingtan," he added.

"All cars loaded with bonded goods, or duty-free goods and those enjoying tax rebates will have to go through the declaration lanes," said Liu.

Background information

The State Council approved a development plan for PCPZ in November 2011, which granted several preferential policies to Pingtan. The first policy involves an innovative customs clearance system for the convenience of people going in and out of Pingtan – as well as for cargo shipments and for companies involved in transportation. The first checkpoint (at the port) conducts a relatively less strict inspection while the second checkpoint's inspection is stricter.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Brian