Significant delays in customs clearance for Australian grapes in China

Trade relations between China and Australia appear to continue to deteriorate. As a final example, Australian table grapes are experiencing significant customs clearance delays at Chinese ports. The delay would be 5 to 10 days longer than normal, according to Australian professionals.

 

According to Reuters, relations between China and Australia deteriorated after accusations of interference in internal affairs and then with the request for an independent investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan ( China). Measures have been taken on the Chinese side to limit certain imports from Australia (barley, beef, cotton, etc.).

 

Now, Australian table grapes also seem to be suffering the consequences of the dispute between the two countries.

 

“In the last 3 weeks table grapes have suffered long delays at the port. There are around 400 or 500 containers which take between 5 and 10 days longer than normal to clear customs,” said Jeff Scott, Managing Director of ATGA, Australian Table Grape Association. According to Scott, most of the delays are reported at ports in southern China, including the port of Shenzhen.

 

Exports from other countries do not suffer the same delays, according to Scott.

 

Australia exported 152,000 tonnes of table grapes last year, worth AUD 622 million ($ 480.8 million). Having imported 40% of this total volume, or 60,000 tonnes, China was the main buyer of Australian table grapes.