Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

The total import and export value of goods between the Chinese mainland and Macao via Gongbei Customs has topped 202.5 billion yuan ($29 billion) over the past 17 years since the transfer of sovereignty of Macao from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China on Dec 20, 1999. 

Handling around 80 percent of the trade volume, Gongbei and Hengqin checkpoints under the jurisdiction of Gongbei Customs remain the most important portals for the Chinese mainland to Macao. Since the return of Macao, the value of imports and exports through Gongbei rose from 3.64 billion yuan ($524 million) in 1999 to 23.61 billion yuan ($3.5 billion) in 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 12.4 percent. The figure reached 15.52 billion yuan ($2.25 billion) in the first 11 months of the year.

Trade volume between the Chinese mainland and Macao via Gongbei Customs has soared over the past 17 years. [Photo courtesy news.cn]

Customs clearance reform has continuously facilitated trade between the two areas. With ongoing development of the Hengqin Free Trade Zone, Gongbei Customs has supported Macao’s steady economic growth by promoting reciprocal recognition of passenger car inspection results, and simplifying customs formalities for direct consignment of transshipment cargoes in Macao under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).

Some 2.45 billion yuan ($352.5 million) of traditional labor-intensive products were exported to Macao via Gongbei Customs during the first 11 months, a year-on-year increase of 12.9 percent. Textile and garment values reached 1.14 billion yuan ($164 million), a rise of 55 percent compared with the same period of last year. Footwear volume doubled to 170 million yuan ($24.5 million) and the value of bags increased by 48.3 percent to 130 million yuan ($19 million). Moreover, electricity exports were up 3.2 percent to 2.51 billion yuan ($361 million) and copper material imports realized 120 million yuan ($17.25 million), up 20 percent. 

Also a major passageway for live and fresh farm produce to Macao, Gongbei Customs optimized services by implementing concentrated customs declarations and round-the-clock customs clearance reservation. From January to November, Gongbei Customs handled 1.88 billion yuan ($270.5 million) of farm produce to Macao, up 3.6 percent, which mainly consisted of animals, fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, and chilled fresh meat.