Learning from a Strong Country: Customs Safety and Efficient Supervision for the "Worry Free Exhibition" of Cultural Relics and Artworks at the CIIE

On November 5th, in the cultural relics and art exhibition area of the 8th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "CIIE"), 49 works from well-known artists from around the world were showcased at the exhibition site in a bonded manner.
These works departed from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone and were transported to the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Shanghai) under customs supervision for audience viewing. The Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Customs uses the "authentication traceability" technology to collect micro characteristic data of exhibited products and generate exclusive "identity IDs" for them. This technology can be widely applied to the supervision of high-value cultural relics and artworks such as ceramics, calligraphy and painting, jewelry, etc. It not only improves customs clearance efficiency, but also provides a key basis for post exhibition comparison and verification.
In terms of regulatory mode, the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Customs provides dual protection of "authentication traceability" and "in-process supervision", balancing enterprise friendly services and risk prevention and control. Transportation vehicles are equipped with intelligent devices that integrate positioning, monitoring, and electronic locks for in-process supervision. Customs can real-time monitor the location and status of goods, promptly warn of route deviations, abnormal parking, unauthorized unboxing, and other situations, ensuring that goods are safely transported to exhibition venues after being converted into exhibits.
In addition, for the cultural relics and artworks participating in this year's CIIE, the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Customs has tailored personalized supervision plans based on the characteristics of the exhibits and the exhibition needs of the enterprises. They have contacted the participating enterprises in the zone in advance to understand the exhibition plan for the exhibits leaving the zone, and arranged duty customs officers to install intelligent supervision equipment on site to ensure "zero waiting" for the packaging, shipping, and departure of the exhibits.
On the basis of continuously summarizing previous work experience, the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Customs has provided face-to-face guidance to enterprises to familiarize themselves with the export process, guarantee requirements, and declaration standards for converting bonded goods into exhibition items. They have also set up dedicated windows in the customs clearance process and opened up "green channels" in the inspection and material control processes to ensure that enterprises can participate in exhibitions without worries. Data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, the value of bonded exhibits under customs supervision in Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone was 10.07 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.4%, accounting for nearly 70% of Shanghai's customs area.