A shipment weighing 5.36 tons of fresh Chilean salmon touched down smoothly at Hangzhou International Airport aboard a dedicated cargo flight. After swift quarantine inspection by the Hangzhou Customs stationed at the airport, these fresh aquatic products were promptly loaded onto refrigerated trucks and dispatched to local fresh markets around the region, adding a sumptuous touch to the New Year dining tables of residents in Zhejiang.

“Speed and freshness are critical for chilled products as they directly impact product quality and market competitiveness,” explained Xu Yandan, head of the first supervision department at the Customs. To maximize product integrity, customs officers conduct inspections within a comprehensive designated inspection area adjacent to the apron. This facility, operational since 2025, ensures zero-delay transfer from landing to examination. The entire inspection process takes place in a clean, temperature-controlled environment set at 4 degrees Celsius, adhering strictly to cold chain regulatory standards. This not only guarantees efficient clearance but also fortifies food safety measures.

The streamlined customs experience is attributed to the continuous enhancement of Hangzhou’s air port functions and its expanding freight network. Currently, the city’s air port operates with 20 full-cargo routes, handling approximately 120 weekly flights. This robust infrastructure provides an unimpeded aerial corridor for time-sensitive goods like fresh produce.

Enhanced port efficiency has spurred significant growth in imported fresh produce. Statistics reveal that in 2025 alone, the airport supervised a total of 1,492 batches of imported chilled aquatic products, amounting to 5,606.39 tons. This was a staggering increase of 61 times and 81 times respectively compared to previous years.