Ningbo expands parallel-import vehicle portfolio

Eight BMW motorcycles imported by Ningbo auto dealers arrive at Ningbo's Meishan port. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A vessel loaded with eight BMW motorcycles from Mexico arrived in Ningbo's Meishan port on Nov 4, ccording to local media reports. 

They are the first batch of motorcycles imported by East China's Zhejiang province. The move is an effort by local auto dealers to expand their portfolio of imports and seek growth despite the gloomy global trade picture.

In addition to traditional cars and off-road vehicles, their imports have expanded to include recreational vehicles and motorcycles. In April, a fleet of non-powered recreational vehicles arrived in Ningbo. 

A manager from CITIC Gangtong International Logistics Co Ltd said that preferential policies rolled out by Ningbo Customs granted them the confidence to explore new markets and that importing motorcycles is an attempt to offset the adverse effects spawned by the decline in domestic car sales. 

The city's Meishan Comprehensive Bonded Area is the only port in the province allowed to conduct the parallel-import auto business.

The port has formulated standardized and streamlined procedures for vehicle imports. As a result, the average customs clearance time for automobiles at the port has been reduced to about one workday.