Cathay Cargo has become the first airline to activate the Air-Land Fresh Lane, a new initiative launched by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong SAR to simplify imports of fruit, live seafood, and chilled perishables into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB).
The service allows perishable goods arriving through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to continue seamlessly into Zhuhai and the wider GBA by temperature-controlled trucks equipped with GPS and accredited e-locks, all under a single air waybill.
Streamlined Customs and Faster Market Access
As part of the process, shipments receive a “Certificate for Transshipment Confirmation” from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED). This simplifies compliance with the General Administration of Customs of China’s rules for fresh produce and live seafood, while eliminating the need for importers to register with local authorities—reducing costs and cutting transit times.
A newly opened temperature-controlled inspection facility at HZMB Zhuhai Port adds an extra layer of quality assurance for spot-checks or sampling at the checkpoint.
Successful Pilot Shipments
The first Air-Land Fresh Lane consignment, a shipment of live lobsters from Melbourne, was delivered in mid-August, followed shortly after by a second shipment of live geoducks from Los Angeles. Both consignments transitioned smoothly from aircraft to truck and crossed the border without delay—demonstrating the efficiency and reliability of the new system.
Strengthening Hong Kong’s Role as a Global Cargo Hub
James Evans, General Manager Cargo Commercial at Cathay Cargo, said:
“The new Air-Land Fresh Lane is great news for shippers moving premium perishables into the heart of the GBA. With its 86 million consumers, the region is not just an export powerhouse—it’s also a fast-growing consumption market for high-quality goods. This initiative, alongside our partners at Airport Authority Hong Kong, further strengthens HKIA’s position as the world’s busiest air cargo hub.”
Building on Cathay Cargo’s Cool-Chain Expertise
Cathay Cargo holds IATA CEIV Fresh certification and offers Cathay Fresh, a customizable solution ensuring strict temperature control from origin to final delivery. The Air-Land Fresh Lane complements the carrier’s existing intermodal network in the GBA, which already includes:
- Bonded sea lanes to and from Dongguan
- Scheduled and chartered trucking services to six GBA cities
- Daily freighter flights to Guangzhou
Together, these links enable Cathay Cargo to deliver perishable goods from its global network in peak condition to one of China’s most dynamic markets.