The gross value of Heilongjiang province’s imports and exports hit 116 billion yuan ($17.69 billion) during the first 11 months of 2017, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.1 percent. Its growth rate is 4.5 percentage points higher than the national average.

Statistics from Harbin customs department reveal that the average time for imported goods to clear customs has now been cut to around 2.3 hours, 14.5 hours faster than the nationwide target time; and exported goods now clear customs in around 6 minutes, 1.1 hours faster than the nationwide target.

Compared with the same period last year, the general customs clearance time has been cut by one third due to Heilongjiang’s trade facilitation policies.

Harbin customs department released guidelines on shortening customs clearance times this October, with 21 new measures included. The detailed measures include an improved customs supervision mechanism, simplification of customs clearance procedures and processes, as well as reform of the customs clearance model, resulting in faster customs clearance times and lower import costs.