Customs officers inspect imported tulip bulbs. [Photo/WeChat account: NH_television]
A recent shipment of 555,200 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands to Tianjin's Dongjiang Port has marked the first batch of bulbs imported through the port this year, and the first flower bulb cargo cleared there under China's new policy exempting value-added tax on imported seeds and germplasm, which took effect in August.
Tulip bulbs are highly perishable agricultural seedlings with strict freshness and storage requirements, putting pressure on customs clearance and quarantine inspection. To help companies benefit from the policy and ensure safe, fast clearance, Ninghe Customs and Dongjiang Customs set up a cross-customs coordination mechanism.
Ninghe Customs briefed local companies on the new policy, explaining tax exemption requirements and procedures, and guided them through application materials and approval formalities. It also contacted companies in advance about import plans and intervened early in quarantine approval and document declaration to prevent clearance bottlenecks.
At the port, the two customs offices shared information on cargo arrival and inspection needs. Inspectors entered the supervision site immediately after arrival to conduct on-site quarantine and sampling, guarding against plant epidemic risks while shortening clearance time. The measures aimed to reduce import costs for companies and quickly bring quality germplasm to the domestic market.