Products for aviation comprised 3.37 billion yuan ($524 million) of Zhuhai's import-export value in the first three quarters of the year, up 15.6 percent. This is a 195-fold increase from the same period in 1996 when the first China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition was held.

Credited for such prosperity are clearance services by Gongbei Customs and the effect of Airshow China. Instead of at the port itself, Gongbei Customs made on-site inspections at factories in Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park, for instance. This increased clearance efficiency involving millions of dollars in commodities and helped enterprise reduce operation costs while avoiding commodity damages.

Gongbei Customs also organized 24 sessions to promote Advanced Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) policies among 5,116 enterprises since 2020. The recognition gives companies priority for inspection at a lower fee.

Customs inspection at CAIGA South China [Photo provided to Zhuhai Media Group]

As one of the earliest general aviation manufacturers in Zhuhai, Jinwan-based China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) South China spoke highly of Zhuhai's port business environment. High-precision spare parts imported by CAIGA South China for new-type aircraft R&D and production are often large in size and high in value, said Luo Xiyan, head of the PC business department.

The world's largest amphibious aircraft was developed by CAIGA South China and made its debut flight exhibition at this year's Airshow China. The enterprise recently upgraded AG600 production lines for the assembly of another record-setting large amphibious aircraft.

In the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a 50/50 joint venture between China Southern Airlines and German manufacturer MTU Aero Engines, also benefited from tailored inspections. Logistics costs were reduced by more than 70 percent as Gongbei Customs accepts 24/7 reservation for on-site inspection.

The time for the sampling inspection of imported aviation materials, which come in 300 varieties, small amounts, and have short shelf life, were also reduced by half under coordinated high-efficiency service between the port and testing lab.

In addition, MTU received a tax reduction for more than 50 million yuan ($7.78 million) in commodities in the January-September period and guarantee deposit reduction of over 300 million yuan ($46.68 million) as an AEO, according to clearance manager Liang Jiang.

MTU repaired 263 aviation engines from January to September, a year-on-year increase of 43.72 percent. Its production capacity ranks first in China and second in Asia since a third plant became operational in the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone.