Chongqing, Guangdong to work on dry ports to ease north-south flow

THE provincial-status city of Chongqing plans to join with southern Guangdong province on building "dry ports" to simplify customs clearance for cargo shipped via Guangdong ports.

A "dry port" is one that is set up by seaports in the hinterland region to offer logistics services as well as customs clearance. Local shippers can complete processes of space booking and customs clearance at the facility and hand over their cargo to freight forwarders or carriers.

Before the dry port is set up, shippers have to go through customs clearance procedures at both the local customs and the port customs. Dry ports claim they can save 30 per cent in costs.