On 15 July 2003, Shenzhen's East Platform was officially launched, marking a breakthrough in the reform of Shenzhen Customs. A new management method of supervising logistics, the platform is able to share information and accept electronic declarations. The system will expedite the document handling process and reduce the time cargo has to stay at the terminal. This initiative will also help increase the overall efficiency of declarations and improve supervision at the terminal.
Jointly developed by Shenzhen Customs, Dapeng Customs and Yantian International Container Terminals (YICT), the East Platform is designed to exchange data between port administrative departments, the terminal, shipping lines, agents, trucking companies and Customs agents, using leading-edge IT technology. With the support of Shenzhen and Dapeng Customs, an Import Empty Container Declaration system, one of the projects in the first stage of the East Platform, began a pilot run in May 2003. With the completion of user acceptance tests, it is now officially operational. This system enables Customs to supervise empty containers more effectively and increases the efficiency of Customs declarations.
Shenzhen Customs and YICT signed a "Memorandum of Co-operation to Develop East Platform" in November 2002. This May, they also signed a "Memorandum of Co-operation to Expedite Customs Declarations". With this joint effort, the commencement of the East Platform has created a healthy environment for efficient customs declarations.
Other organisations, including the Quarantine Inspection Bureau, have extended much support to the development of the East Platform.