A batch of Taiwan-imported goods was shipped from Jiangyin Port in Fuqing county to the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) on Aug 5.

Customs workers inspect a batch of Taiwan-imported goods at a commodity market in Pingtan, Fujian province, Aug 5. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

It is a new shipping method for imported freight to Pingtan as it reduces the transport cost for enterprises, according to insiders.

Previously, cargo from Taiwan to Pingtan was carried by passenger ferries, which adds safety concerns and results in a higher logistics cost, according to Pan Lianqin, a Taiwan merchant at the Taiwan Commodity Market in Pingtan.

Using a freighter to transport goods to Jiangyin Cargo Port in neighboring Fuqing county will put away those concerns, she added.

The transition of cargo is convenient. When the cargo arrives at Jiangyin Port, its owner can start the transit procedures with local customs right away. After they are cleared, the cargo will be directly moved by trucks to the commodity market in Pingtan and receive sample inspection locally.

Pingtan is also building its own cargo port. The No 2 and 3 berths at Jidiao Port are slated to become operational by Oct, when Taiwan imported goods will be able to directly get to Pingtan, which will further cut the logistics time and cost, sources said.

Background:

The Taiwan Commodity Market is situated in Aoqian town and takes up about 160,000 square meters.

It is composed of 38 folk dwellings in the Minnan style, which are divided into a duty-free zone, a non-duty free zone and a support functional zone.

Only one duty-free shopping mall in the No 1 Building was open as of June 15. The rest will open in stages.

A favorable tax policy is in effect at the commodity market, which was granted tax exemptions by the Ministry of Finance on six categories of Taiwan goods: oil and grain products, farm products, textiles and garment, artware, light industrial products and medicine.

The daily cap for commodities per person is 6,000 yuan ($960). Purchasing records of individuals will be tracked, and if the sum exceeds the 6,000-yuan-threshold, both customers and merchants will be notified to pay the tax.