Hong Kong Customs chief signs fruit transit deal in Guangzhou
Hong Kong Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat led a delegation to Guangzhou on 6 November, witnessing the signing of a memorandum on air transit of fruit from Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The deal aims to boost trade in the Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Chan Tsz-tat led a delegation to Guangzhou on Friday 6 November, witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the supervised air transit of fruit from Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
The memorandum, titled “Memorandum of Understanding on Regulatory Cooperation for the Transit of Imported Fruit via Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport”, was signed by Hong Kong Customs Assistant Commissioner (Border and Ports) Lai Ning-ning and Guangzhou Customs Deputy Commissioner Chok Hon-to. Witnesses included Chan, Guangzhou Deputy Mayor Zhang Rui, Guangzhou Customs Commissioner Li Quan, Guangdong Sub-office Vice-director of the General Administration of Customs of China Bik San, Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone Management Committee Chairman Li Xiaodong, Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau Director Wei Min, and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Customs Commissioner Yao Mei.
The memorandum complies with the General Administration of Customs of China’s transit fruit supervision requirements, which took effect on 1 November. It aims to strengthen bilateral customs cooperation and facilitate the smooth transit of fruit by air from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Under an innovative supervisory model, Hong Kong Customs will issue a transit confirmation for eligible goods, ensuring that transit fruit remains in its original packaging and is accompanied by the original phytosanitary certificate. This is expected to promote high-quality development of fruit trade in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
During the visit, Commissioner Chan met with Guangzhou Customs Commissioner Li Quan to exchange views on deepening bilateral customs collaboration. The delegation also toured Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Conghua Equestrian Park to learn about Guangzhou Customs’ smart inspection equipment for passengers, air cargo, and cross-border horse clearance.
