Shanghai Customs handles record air cargo volume in H1

Shanghai Customs handled a record 2.04 million metric tons of import and export air cargo in the first half of 2026, up 15.76 percent year-on-year. The milestone was supported by Pudong International Airport's expanding cargo network and smart customs supervision measures.

In the first six months of 2026, the airport launched seven new intercontinental all‑cargo routes and increased frequencies on three existing routes. This helped drive a 20 percent year-on-year increase in freighter flight movements, while the number of overseas destinations served by freighters reached 66.

In June, the new smart cargo terminal was put into use at the airport. Customs' air logistics monitoring platform now exchanges real‑time data with the terminal's warehouse system, enabling digital tracking of each consignment's location, status and movements.

Customs authorities at the place of origin and the port of entry are working more closely to coordinate supervision. They have integrated customs oversight into enterprises' warehousing operations and introduced appointment-based inspections to streamline the entire process. Technologies such as IoT and electronic seals provide end-to-end visibility throughout transit, shifting customs oversight from physical locks to digital, data-driven cargo control.

Smart apron cargo supervision, which integrates one-stop online processing, immediate pickup upon customs release, and direct transfer, has also enabled swift clearance. In a recent case, 50 tons of high‑precision specialized equipment was processed with minimal transit time, reducing risk of damage and ensuring stable supply chains for high‑end manufacturing. In the first half, 75 such online apron handling applications were handled.