East China's Fujian province rolls out an array of measures to create a transparent business environment for relieving corporate burdens. [Photo/VCG]

Customs clearance time at Fujian ports was shortened dramatically last year, significantly boosting the development of the province's international trade, according to local media reports on March 1.

The province's import clearance time was reduced to 41.46 hours in 2019, down 62.33 percent from 2017, while export clearance time was slashed to 3.91 hours, down 80.89 percent from 2017. The new clearance times rank the province among the top three major foreign trade provinces in the country in terms of both imports and exports.

Local governments have been working to simplify clearance procedures and cut customs fees over the past several years.

Measures have been taken to loosen trade restrictions and facilitate trade and investment in the province as well as enhance the business environment by providing a "single window" service for international trade, launching online customs clearance channels, and optimizing the customs quarantine and inspection procedures.

Additionally, the province has made efforts to further digitalize ports. The China (Fujian) International Trade Single Window platform (https://www.fjdport.gov.cn/) was established, enabling import and export companies to go through customs declaration procedures online, with the aim of promoting information sharing, mutual recognition of regulatory regimes, as well as mutual assistance in enforcement among boundary control authorities.

Customs authorities in Fujian have promoted the wide use of paper-free customs clearance.

According to statistics from Xiamen customs, paper-free customs clearance has helped save 53 million yuan ($7.6 million) in costs for logistics enterprises every year and has greatly reduced processing times.

The government has pushed to create a more transparent business environment. Unreasonable port fees were cut or eliminated and compliance costs for containers were greatly reduced.