The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port processed 340,000 cross-border e-commerce package exports valued at more than 100 million yuan ($15.55 million) during the May Day holiday.

The COVID-19 pandemic led many offline traders to move online, significantly increasing cross-border e-commerce. To evaluate volume and peak periods in advance, bridge customs officers repeatedly visited e-commerce platforms and enterprises to review promotional plans and anticipate commodity varieties and quantities.

Based on the evaluation of workloads and peak times, the authorities dedicated task forces and a 24-hour emergency service hotline, strengthened cooperation with enterprises, optimized personnel allocation, and innovated supervision modes to ensure smooth customs clearance.

For instance, packages at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Cross-Border E-commerce Operation Center were prioritized with time required for inspection shortened to 12 minutes. The facility passed more than 22 million cross-border packages valued at more than 5.9 billion yuan ($917.5 million) since operations began last July, according to Zheng Tailong, director of the Commerce Department of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao International Trade (Zhuhai).

Customs officers examine cross-border e-commerce packages [Photo courtesy Nanfangplus]