Fourteen tons of Siberian sturgeon were expected to arrive in Vietnam on the 25th, serving as the first time for Chongqing to export fresh aquatic products to foreign countries, according to Chongqing Customs District on February 23.

Chongqing Customs District officers supervise the export of sturgeon on site. (iChongqing file photo)

Global quality reputation

Fengdu Tengwang Aquaculture Co., Ltd farm those Siberian sturgeons.

Seven years ago, the company started to import sturgeons, salmons, schizothorax, and other new species with better market prospects and higher commercial value. Their annual production has exceeded 500 tons.

As a representative species of its kind, the Siberian sturgeon is a close relative of the well-known Chinese sturgeon. The Siberian sturgeon grows slowly in natural waters but features fast growth, large sizes, and meat of high quality in farms with warm water.

The company, which planned to develop international markets in 2020, has already had a taste of fame. Besides, under the guidance of the Fuling branch of Chongqing Customs District, it has completed the export registration. It has become the first enterprise to obtain the live fish export qualification in Chongqing.

Since the pandemic outbreak, the market for live fish has become weak. The impeded international logistics channels make it even more difficult for the company to get an order.

"We have waited for nearly two years. As our hopes were dashed again and again, we even planned to give up export," said Gan Zaishu, head of the company.

The company has received continuous professional guidance from Chongqing Customs District, Facing those difficulties.

Over the past two years or so, Chongqing Customs District regularly sent officers to the farm to monitor aquatic animal diseases and safety risks of agricultural products. They made great efforts to ensure that the indicators of the exported live fish meet the requirements of the destination country, thus gaining a good reputation for global quality.

Persistent efforts have helped the company retain its export qualification and obtain international orders during the Spring Festival.

Efficient custom clearance

Fresh aquatic products need high-speed transportation and customs clearance. Once there is a delay, the quality of live fish will be impaired rapidly, which will bring substantial economic losses to enterprises.

"As it is the first time for the city to export live fish, a green channel has been opened," said Liu Xiangbin, Commissioner of Customs and Excise of Fuling branch, Chongqing Customs District. "With remote guidance, the company could apply online and receive export documents quickly."

Liu emphasized the efficiency of customs clearance has been improved through appointment, thus ensuring the quality of the exported fish.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into force in January.

The Fuling branch of Chongqing Customs District issued the ASEAN-China Free Trade Certificate of Origin to the company. It helped reduce the burden and increase the efficiency to the maximum extent through the most favorable international trade agreement.