The comprehensive service center of China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province [Photo/wifizs.cn]

China's first paperless customs clearance port for ships, located in China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, was recently named as one of the nation's top 10 innovative achievements made by its FTZs in 2018. 

The selection process, hosted by National Business Daily, an influential national financial news outlet, lasted one month and invited experts from domestic research institutes and schools of higher learning to grade and comment on the candidates.

Zhejiang FTZ has mulled over customs clearance deep reform over the past year by carrying out a pilot project of "paperless customs clearance for inbound or outbound ships". 

The reform has gotten rid of the need for more than 44 out of 70 items and 150 pages of paper materials originally required, and only retains two documents – namely entry and exit certificates and temporary entry permit applications.

"The achievement represents a good attempt in facilitating the nation’s customs clearance for shipping trade," said Chen Bo, professor of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

System innovation has always been a top priority in Zhejiang FTZ. It made 59 achievements in this respect last year, 23 of which were the first of its kind ever seen in China, and six were promoted elsewhere by the State Council. 

Zhoushan outperformed Shanghai as China’s largest bunkering port last year, with the amount of oil supply reaching over 3.5 million metric tons. An additional 7,413 companies settled in Zhejiang FTZ, with a total register capital of over 201.5 billion yuan ($29.7 billion). Among these companies, 1,998 are oil companies and 299 are foreign-funded companies.

Tugboats dock the oil tanker Eagle Varna carrying imported crude oil at the Port of Zhoushan in Zhoushan city, East China's Zhejiang province, July 4, 2018. [Photo/IC]