Waigaoqiao Port in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone helps the Shanghai FTZ better serve the Belt and Road Initiative and is as an important engine for Shanghai's economic development. [Photo/china-shftz.gov.cn]

Waigaoqiao Port in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone recently launched a one-stop customs clearance system, significantly reducing the time and cost of customs clearance and helping facilitate trade, local news reported on Feb 24.

"The new measures make things fast and simple, reducing clearance time by two hours and allowing imports and exports to enjoy 'zero waiting time' for customs inspection and release," said Zhang Jian, an employee at the China Marine Shipping Agency Shanghai Company.

According to Customs officials at the port, international ships with high credibility and low risk will benefit from integrated customs inspection and release measures, helping reduce waiting time at the port. The new measures are expected to promote the construction of a shipping hub in the Yangtze River Delta and further optimize the business environment of the Shanghai FTZ.

After the global COVID-19 pandemic last year, Waigaoqiao Port witnessed a strong rebound in the second quarter of 2020. Local authorities said the port will continue to improve its services this year and contribute to Shanghai's economic development.