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A close-up of a live king crab. [Photo/Tide News]

The fishing vessel Tugur arrived at Jiaxing in East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 17, carrying 54 metric tons of live king crabs. 

This marks the first such import and the first high-value fresh product to be processed at a designated supervision site under Hangzhou Customs for the port area. After passing quarantine, the crabs were distributed to supermarkets and seafood markets in Jiaxing and surrounding areas.

King crabs are known for their taste and nutritional value but require strict transport conditions. They can die quickly in high temperatures when out of water, making the efficiency of customs clearance crucial. Jiaxing Customs coordinated with port operators, shipping agents, and logistics firms to outline responsibilities and processes, and to establish a green channel for perishable imports. Measures included pre-declaration, document checks, and immediate inspection and release upon arrival.

The import builds on the Jiaxing port area's growing role in handling fresh products. From Vietnamese bananas to premium seafood, the port is expanding its capacity as a fresh hub for the Yangtze River Delta region. With a 120,000-ton cold chain warehouse and a national-level demonstration base, it is expected to attract more imports, such as tropical fruit from Southeast Asia and meat from South America.

These efforts are boosting Jiaxing's position as a logistics gateway while meeting rising consumer demand for high-quality fresh goods.