Guangzhou received its first fruit shipment through a new air transit route via Hong Kong on Wednesday, with 5.6 tons of Indonesian mangosteens cleared at Baiyun International Airport and delivered to Jiangnan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market for same-day sale.

The route follows a customs cooperation agreement signed on November 6 between Guangzhou Customs and Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise Department. It allows imported fruit to transit through Hong Kong International Airport under coordinated customs supervision before entering Guangzhou.

The arrangement aims to address airfreight capacity constraints during the November-to-February import peak, when direct cargo flights to Guangzhou are frequently fully booked.

Under the procedure, Hong Kong Customs supervises arriving shipments and shares transshipment documentation with Guangzhou Customs before their arrival, allowing immediate clearance.

According to local traders, the route provides additional freight options during the fruit harvest season, particularly when direct Jakarta-Guangzhou cargo capacity is limited.

Guangzhou Customs expects the new route to provide approximately 200 tons of additional fruit import capacity at Baiyun International Airport during its first month of operation.