China-Laos Railway fruit imports pass 600,000 tonnes

China has imported more than 600,000 tonnes of fruit through the China-Laos Railway since the route opened, according to Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion.

The shipments were worth more than RMB15 billion (about $2.23 billion).

Faster border handling

Changes in customs procedures are helping fruit move more quickly through the rail network.

Under one system, containers can continue through the Mohan railway border point without being opened for a full inspection there. Authorities check the condition and seal of the container before it continues to its inspection destination.

The approach avoids some of the unloading and vehicle changes previously required for road transport.

DITP said bananas from Laos can reach Chongqing in as little as four days, compared with around six to eight days under the previous road-based process.

Thai coconuts test the route

Fresh Thai coconuts were among the products used to trial the rail-to-rail transit system in 2025.

The model was later extended to fresh bananas from Laos, with more than 2,020 tonnes of bananas already handled under the system.

The development gives exporters in Southeast Asia another option for moving perishable products deeper into the Chinese market.

source and photo: test-web.ditp.go.th