In May 2022, Chengdu Customs became a new pilot area for the departure confirmation mode of water-to-water transshipment, optimizing customs supervision of waterway logistics in the Yangtze River Delta region and improving operational efficiency. This model was launched at two water ports in Sichuan: Luzhou Port and Yibin Port. The advantage of this new model is that it changes transfer customs procedures and port operations from series to parallel, allowing enterprises to declare transfers without completing cargo tallying or determining domestic transport vehicles.

The departure confirmation mode applies to the following situations:

When the transfer method is intermodal transshipment.
When the domestic transportation method is waterway transport.
Import customs transfer declaration form.

The original process was: Containers arrive at the port, cargo manifest tallying status normal → Enterprises declare customs transfer (must fully complete information such as domestic transport company and vehicle name as per customs transfer regulations) → Customs reviews and approves the customs transfer form → Customs transfer goods depart the port.
The departure confirmation mode works as follows: Transport vehicles arrive at the port and report confirmation → Enterprises declare transfer documents (without needing to provide domestic transport vehicle information) → Customs review and approve the transfer declaration → After approval, a departure confirmation step is added → Enterprises supplement domestic transport vehicle information and verify cargo tallying flags → Upon receiving the clear to depart confirmation, transfer goods can leave the port.

The advantage of the new model lies in changing the customs transit procedures and terminal operations from series connection to parallel connection. Enterprises can declare customs transit without completing cargo tallying or determining domestic transportation vehicles, avoiding the need to modify declaration information due to changes in feeder vessel schedules. This not only optimizes the customs transit process for imported goods but also enhances the efficiency of the Yangtze River Golden Waterway.International LogisticsSince July 2022, Chengdu Customs, in collaboration with port customs, has guided enterprises in piloting the first batch of goods under the Port Departure Confirmation mode. As of June 2023, the customs zone has supervised 268 shipments under this mode. Moving forward, Chengdu Customs will strengthen coordination with port customs, continue promotional and training efforts, and expand the application of the Port Departure Confirmation mode based on enterprise demand, further improving international logistics efficiency on the Yangtze Golden Waterway.

Since July 2022, Chengdu Customs, in collaboration with port customs, has guided enterprises to pilot the first batch of goods under the Port Departure Confirmation mode in the customs district. As of June 2023, the customs district has supervised a total of 268 shipments under this mode. In the next step, Chengdu Customs will strengthen coordination with port customs, continue to promote external publicity and training, and further expand the application of the Port Departure Confirmation mode based on enterprise needs, continuously improving the international logistics and transportation efficiency of the Yangtze River Golden Waterway.

The introduction of the Port Departure Confirmation mode by Chengdu Customs will undoubtedly further optimize the customs supervision of waterway logistics in the Yangtze River Delta region and enhance the international logistics and transportation efficiency of the Yangtze River Golden Waterway.