The dust-free cleanroom at the domestic air cargo port has been put into operation at Pudong Airport.
Published Time:
2024-07-05
In the first customs-supervised warehouse area of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, there is a small, mobile prefabricated room. Inside, a one-square-meter glass window divides the space in two: on one side, operators clad in dust-free protective suits carry out unpacking and inspection tasks, while on the other side, customs officers use handheld mobile devices to conduct examinations.
In the first customs-supervised warehouse area of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, there is a small, mobile prefabricated room. Inside the room, a one-square-meter glass window divides the space in half: on one side, operators clad in dust-free protective suits carry out unpacking and inspection tasks, while on the other side, customs officers use handheld mobile devices to conduct examinations.
“Previously, due to the limited environmental conditions at the warehouse inspection site, we didn’t unpack and inspect these types of goods on-site. But things have changed now—we can conduct the inspection right here, directly through the sealed glass window.” The location where the on-site inspectors are stationed is none other than a dust-free cleanroom situated within the customs supervision area of Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Unlike routine inspections conducted in ordinary environments, customs officers here must examine the opened goods from behind the glass window—because the items being inspected are highly precise electronic components, such as integrated circuit boards. Through this “one-square-meter” glass window inside the dust-free cleanroom, customs officers can efficiently carry out their inspections without contaminating the delicate goods, ensuring both accuracy and integrity in the process.
On April 4 of this year, the dust-free cleanroom made its debut in the customs supervision area of Shanghai Pudong International Airport—also marking the first dust-free cleanroom put into operation at a national air cargo port. Spanning 30 square meters, the cleanroom externally resembles a standard 40-foot shipping container, yet inside, it’s a world apart: maintaining a constant temperature of 22.5°C ± 1.5°C and humidity levels consistently at 47.5% ± 7.5%. This is a Class 10,000 cleanroom, perfectly tailored to meet the stringent environmental requirements of high-precision electronic components.
“In the past, customs inspections of our integrated circuit boards always required scheduling specific times to visit the company’s premises—adding both time and labor costs for both parties, while also slowing down the clearance process. ” A senior official from a high-tech enterprise expressed deep appreciation for Shanghai Customs’ ability to launch dust-free cleanrooms for inspection activities. “Since the cleanroom became operational, customs can now complete inspections directly within the warehouse area, significantly cutting down on the expenses associated with waiting and unnecessary travel. This has brought tangible convenience and benefits to our company.”
In recent years, high-tech industries have grown rapidly, leading to a significant surge in the volume of high-value goods—such as electronic components and chips—shipped in and out of Shanghai's surrounding high-tech enterprises. However, these goods are highly sensitive to natural factors like dust, temperature fluctuations, oxidation, static electricity, and humidity, placing stringent requirements on inspection environments. In some cases, even photosensitive electronic components cannot be inspected using X-ray machines at all. After conducting thorough preliminary research and gaining a deep understanding of the situation, Shanghai Customs has initiated a plan to build a dust-free cleanroom, entrusting Shanghai Airport Group with its construction. The implementation of this cleanroom not only overcomes the limitations of conventional inspection methods but also enables Customs to effectively enhance its oversight of cutting-edge, high-precision goods without causing any damage—while simultaneously helping high-tech companies save substantial time and financial costs.
As of the end of June, the dust-free cleanroom has been put into operation, completing inspections on 38 batches of various electronic components, chips, and other goods—totalling 49 customs declarations—with a combined value of RMB 680 million. This initiative has helped companies save approximately RMB 820,000 in costs associated with product scrap and rework, earning unanimous praise from the involved enterprises. With the successful implementation of the dust-free cleanroom and the launch of its accompanying appointment system, Shanghai Customs will further bolster the development of China's chip manufacturing industry, contributing to Shanghai's favorable business environment and the high-quality growth of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
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