Maltese bluefin tuna, which debuted at the CIIE last year, has officially entered the Chinese market._1

On October 15, during an interview, officials from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport Customs shared some exciting news about a recent import. This month, they reported the successful clearance of two “150-kilogram” Maltese bluefin tuna, following rigorous port quarantine inspections by food safety experts. Remarkably, just a few days later, these fish were sold.

This event marks a significant milestone for Maltese bluefin tuna, as it was the first time they were imported to China under “general trade” after making their debut at the 6th China International Import Expo earlier this year. This transition from “exhibit” to “commodity” signifies that Maltese bluefin tuna has officially entered the Chinese consumer market.

Prior to the expo, the Consulate General of Malta in Shanghai initiated contact with the Shanghai Customs, expressing a desire to promote the inclusion of Maltese bluefin tuna and other seafood products in the Chinese market. In response, Shanghai Customs designated a specialized team to collaborate with the Maltese representatives, ensuring timely application for customs facilitation measures aimed at supporting the expo. This process culminated in the tuna receiving the necessary exhibition permits from the General Administration of Customs of China, allowing them to successfully showcase at the expo.

Li Hao, an officer from the Customs’ goods control and inspection section, emphasized that given the tight timelines for the clearance of the Maltese bluefin tuna, the customs offered a comprehensive package of facilitative measures. They proactively coordinated with the importers, gained insights into the cargo’s arrival plans, and created tailored regulatory strategies, involving food safety experts to ensure that the tuna reached the market in the freshest condition possible.