On October 9, Harbin Customs announced a remarkable surge in coal imports through Xunke Port in Heilongjiang Province as the winter season nears. From January to September of this year, Xunke Customs has overseen the import of 13,900 tons of coal—an almost sixfold increase compared to the same period last year.

Wu Desheng, head of Shunjian Logistics Co., Ltd. in Xunke County, Heihe City, shared insights into the situation, stating, “With the recent drop in temperatures, demand for coal for residential heating has skyrocketed. Customs has expedited the clearance process for imported coal, which has helped us meet this urgent need.”

Located in northern Heilongjiang Province, Xunke Port is a multifunctional national border facility that integrates international, domestic, and civil trade. Wang Jun, the primary official at Xunke Customs, emphasized the port’s unique capabilities: “Xunke Port accommodates multiple transportation modes, allowing both bulk shipping and vehicle transport to enter simultaneously. To ensure reliable heating for residents during winter, we’ve streamlined coal import processes to facilitate prompt distribution in the domestic market.”

Wang further explained the proactive steps Customs is taking: “We’ve reached out to businesses ahead of time to understand their needs and have quickly communicated coal monitoring policy requirements to ports and companies. We also provide guidance on coal quality selection and critical criteria assessments. Additionally, we’ve established a green channel for coal imports, where documentation is reviewed in advance, and we operate a ’24/7′ appointment system for customs clearance, ensuring coal is inspected and unloaded immediately upon arrival.”

In a bid to enhance efficiency, Xunke Customs has also invested in technology. They have employed automated sampling equipment for immediate coal testing, which minimizes the time needed for sampling and analysis. Furthermore, they’ve bolstered real-time video monitoring and targeted on-site inspections to better manage unloading procedures at the docks, ensuring safety supervision for imported coal.