Following a successful trial period using Cathay Cargo shipments, the Airport Authority Hong Kong’s Air-Land Fresh Lane initiative was officially activated in August. It makes an exciting addition to Cathay Cargo’s intermodal network in the wider Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ensures the seamless cool-chain truck transit of fresh fruit, and chilled and live seafood across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB), reaffirming the Hong Kong hub’s status as gateway to the GBA.

The initiative, which enables global imports to enter the wider GBA via Hong Kong by road under a single air waybill, will make it faster and even more convenient to bring perishable shipments into the Chinese Mainland. Whether it’s live lobsters or seasonal tropical fruits, it’s an exciting opportunity to work with partners around the world to deliver premium produce to dining tables across the huge consumer market of the wider GBA under the Cathay Fresh solution.

Here’s what you need to know about the new initiative and its benefits for Cathay Cargo customers.

1. One single air waybill for greater efficiency

Under the Air-Land Fresh Lane programme, fresh produce shipments can go from point to point under a single air waybill for a seamless transit through Hong Kong to their final destination in the wider Greater Bay Area. While this would have been possible previously for connecting flights to Guangzhou, this is now extended to the leg by chiller truck over the bridge via the refrigerated customs facility at Zhuhai. The truck comes with the added security with an accredited e-lock and GPS. This is all welcome news for freight forwarders, who can now track shipments from origin to final destination with greater ease - and reduced paperwork.

2. Transhipment certificates to ensure swift customs clearance

Before arriving in Hong Kong, shipments using the Air-Land Fresh Lane programme are issued with a “transhipment certificate” by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. This certificate confirms that the goods meet import requirements for both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland – specifically, the rules surrounding the import of perishables. Essentially, once a shipment is approved in Hong Kong, it’s greenlit for onward transfer to the wider GBA, ensuring speedy clearance at the Zhuhai Customs inspection facility.

3. Refrigerated border inspection facility

The launch of the Air-Land Fresh Lane coincides with the opening of a new temperature-controlled inspection facility in Zhuhai. At this facility, Customs can perform any spot-checks on imports they require while maintaining the integrity of the goods, enabling the process to be fast and efficient while keeping the cool chain unbroken.

4. A seamless Cathay Fresh journey from origin to destination

The Air-Land Fresh Lane programme will bring added assurance to perishables shippers and Cathay Cargo customers wanting to access the GBA market. In addition to the premium service offered by the IATA CEIV Fresh-certified Cathay Fresh solution, which includes in-flight temperature control and bookable cool dollies for tarmac transfers at Hong Kong, the new expedited Customs process and a single booking under the one air waybill, means that produce will arrive fresher, faster and at a lower cost for our customers.

The new Air-Land Fresh Lane joins Cathay Cargo’s existing intermodal links to the wider GBA, which includes services by air to Guangzhou, by sea to and from Dongguan, and scheduled and ad hoc trucking services to and from cities across the region.

“The GBA is our extended home market. As well as its export strength, we believe the GBA and its 86 million inhabitants also exert phenomenal consumer power,” says General Manager Cargo Commercial James Evans. “Thanks to our partners at the Airport Authority Hong Kong, I can see high-quality perishables finding a new and exciting market with our Air-Land Fresh Lane process.”