With just two weeks until the opening of the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), the first batch of overseas exhibits has successfully cleared customs and arrived in Beijing, marking a key milestone in the final preparations for the event.

On Monday, three high-tech display items — a network switch model and two precision integrated circuit modules — entered China via Beijing Capital International Airport. Valued at 272,100 yuan (around $38,000), they are the first exhibits in CISCE history to be cleared using an ATA Carnet, also known as a "passport for goods."

According to Sun Yanting, head of customs clearance review at the airport's customs office, the ATA Carnet allows for simplified, duty-free temporary importation of goods for exhibitions and other professional use. Compared with traditional clearance procedures, the ATA Carnet eliminates the need for declarations, tax guarantees or specific port entry and exit, cutting both time and costs, Sun said.

A customs official processes the ATA Carnet declaration for the first batch of overseas exhibits for the third CISCE, June 30, 2025. [Photo by Chen Qi/China.org.cn]

As the only organization in China authorized to issue and guarantee ATA Carnets, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) helped streamline the process by ensuring all documentation was correctly translated, verified and submitted.

The first batch of overseas exhibits for the third CISCE clears customs in preparation for being transported to the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, June 30, 2025. [Photo by Chen Qi/China.org.cn]

To further facilitate the arrival of CISCE exhibits, Beijing Customs has launched a dedicated "green channel" for the expo, offering round-the-clock customs services and end-to-end cargo tracking for high-value equipment. Customs officers at the airport have also established special service counters for CISCE-related goods, providing expedited clearance from document verification to final release.

Hosted by the CCPIT, the third CISCE will take place at the China International Exhibition Center in Shunyi district of Beijing from July 16-20. This year, overseas exhibitors will make up 35% of participants.