The first batch of exhibits for the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) passed customs clearance on Sept 28.

The exhibits were Estee Lauder cleaning and skincare products, which were transported by a flight from Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport in the United States to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The products were cleared by customs after COSCO Shipping Air Freight Co Ltd declared them to the special office set up by Shanghai Customs this year to streamline cargo clearance procedures for CIIE exhibits.

Companies only need to upload their electronic documents to apply for customs clearance, and customs will review the documents online before allowing them to pass clearance.

This is the first time that paper documents have not been required by Shanghai Customs to clear exhibits from foreign countries.

The first batch of CIIE exhibits cleared by customs are stored in a warehouse for the present, and will be subsequently transported to the exhibition halls at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

Transportation service providers started to be stationed at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) for operations in early August, aiming to provide better transportation services during the third CIIE.

A task force has been assigned to establish close contacts with key companies to follow up their exhibit transportation progress.

The CIIE Bureau also teamed up with the Shanghai Airport Authority to establish a green channel for air freight bound for the CIIE exhibition. It also partnered with COSCO and China Eastern Airlines to formulate emergency plans for CIIE exhibit transportation.