"On-Screen Verification" Lights Up Trade Facilitation

In the conference room of Haitong Food Group Co., Ltd. in Ningbo, Zhejiang, a unique "cloud-based verification" is underway in an efficient and orderly manner. After completing an on-site inspection of Haitong’s export-filed food production facility, Customs officers from Cixi Customs, a subsidiary of Ningbo Customs, connected remotely via video with the representatives of the company’s production bases. They conducted simultaneous virtual inspections of Haitong’s five export-filed food planting sites scattered across various towns in Cixi. That same day, the Customs team efficiently wrapped up six verification tasks for the company, marking the first pilot operation of remote video verification in Ningbo Customs District since the General Administration of Customs launched the initiative.

"Previously, Customs inspections required physical visits to each production base. Now, with remote video, we can complete multiple verifications without leaving the office, ensuring zero disruption to production," said Zheng Danhong, Quality Manager at Haitong Food Group. As an agricultural export enterprise with annual export value exceeding 450 million yuan, Haitong Food Group's multi-site plantation layout has long presented a unique challenge: coping with cross-regional Customs inspections that were both geographically widespread and high in frequency. The rollout of remote video verification has now delivered tangible convenience to enterprises.

During the video call, Customs officers inspected Haitong’s multiple export-filed planting sites in Cixi in real time via high-definition cameras. "Export-filed planting site verification is a critical step in export food supervision. Remote video not only ensures precise oversight of key processes but also slashes time costs, boosting efficiency by 80 percent compared to traditional methods," explained a Cixi Customs officer.

The remote video verification model strictly follows principles of legality, risk control, convenience, efficiency, and voluntary participation, with tailored approaches based on corporate credit ratings and industry characteristics. Prior to implementation, Customs collect and review documents submitted by the inspected party through the online service platform of "Internet plus Customs". Critical procedures are documented using mobile inspection kits with audio-video recording for standardized archiving, ensuring full traceability and key process accountability. For enterprises operating multiple planting sites, Customs has innovatively introduced its “Customized Enterprise-Specific Solutions” initiative, implementing appointment-based and consolidated inspections to further minimize disruptions from production and operations. Concurrently, enhanced oversight mechanisms - including randomized spot checks and follow-up reviews - are adopted to ensure full process transparency and clear accountability.

"Technology empowers Customs to be ‘unobtrusive yet omnipresent’," noted a Cixi Customs official. Remote video verification has enabled precise allocation of regulatory resources while simultaneously reducing operational costs for enterprises and contributing to the continuous optimization of the business environment. Next, Ningbo Customs will continue to deepen the better integration of smart Customs systems with foreign trade needs, injecting fresh momentum into trade facilitation upgrades.(By Tong Xia)