Liuzhou, Guangxi explores an integrated model of maritime supervision to solve the problem of -secondary packaging- of lithium battery exports
On October 21, the Guangxi Liuzhou Service Center for Coordinated Inspection of Foreign Trade Goods Export, known as Liuzhou Guoxuan, was officially established at the Liuzhou Guoxuan Battery Co., Ltd. This momentous occasion marked the first local shipping of lithium battery exports that underwent on-site supervision in Liuzhou. The city is pioneering an integrated maritime supervision model for lithium battery sea exports, addressing the challenges of “double packing” for these goods.
Liuzhou maritime enforcement officials conducted a site supervision inspection of the lithium batteries exported by sea, ensuring compliance during the container loading process.
In recent years, against the backdrop of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, China has seen the rise of homegrown electric vehicle brands, leading to a steady increase in the export of lithium-ion batteries. In fact, statistics show that in 2023, Liuzhou’s exports of automobiles, auto parts, and lithium batteries reached 14.34 billion yuan, marking a 7.7% increase year-on-year.
Sea freight is currently the preferred mode of international transport for lithium batteries due to its relatively low costs and large capacity. Traditionally, lithium batteries produced in Liuzhou (classified as Class 9 hazardous materials for sea transport) were transported by road to Qinzhou Port after being packed at the factory. Once at the port, the products would have to be unloaded from the container, repacked under the supervision of hazardous materials inspectors, and only then could they be loaded onto ships for export. This “doubling packing” process not only increased transportation time and costs but also heightened the risk of damage during handling.
To tackle the “double packing” issue, various departments in Liuzhou, including commerce, maritime, customs, and border inspections, engaged in extensive research and outreach, connecting with local lithium battery export companies like Liuzhou Guoxuan. They listened to business needs and established the Liuzhou Service Center for Coordinated Inspection of Foreign Trade Goods Export.
With this integrated maritime supervision model, shippers of lithium batteries and other new energy goods can now report their hazardous goods safety and packing certifications directly to the Liuzhou Maritime Bureau. Officials from the Bureau will oversee the packing process on-site. By implementing a mutual recognition of inspection results and information-sharing mechanism, containers of lithium batteries that have been verified by the Liuzhou Maritime Bureau can arrive at Qinzhou Port without further inspection, allowing for immediate loading onto ships.
“The integrated maritime supervision model is an innovative initiative born from the demands of enterprises. It is a first for the region and will play a significant role in achieving record export levels for Liuzhou’s foreign trade in the future,” said Ge Wenhui, Deputy Director of the Liuzhou Maritime Bureau.
Cai Yanan, General Manager of Liuzhou Guoxuan Battery Co., Ltd., expressed enthusiasm for the changes: “From now on, we can complete all processes, including customs inspections and supervision, right at our facility. Once the goods arrive at Qinzhou Port, they can be directly loaded onto ships for export. This measure not only reduces potential damage to the goods but also shortens our logistics time by 3 to 7 days, saving us about 20% in logistics costs and significantly enhancing our operational efficiency.”