On October 15, at a recent briefing, customs officials at Shanghai Pudong International Airport shared exciting news about the successful importation of two 150-kilogram fresh bluefin tunas from Malta. This milestone came after the seafood passed the rigorous quarantine checks conducted by food inspection experts at the customs, and it was sold just days later.

What makes this event significant is that it’s the first time Maltese bluefin tuna has entered the Chinese market via “general trade” after its successful debut at the 2023 China International Import Expo. This transition from “exhibit” to “commodity” marks a new chapter for Maltese bluefin tuna in China, officially opening the door to consumers.

Malta holds the title of the largest producer of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean region, with an annual output of 20,000 tons. In the lead-up to the Import Expo, the Consulate General of Malta in Shanghai reached out to Shanghai Customs, seeking approval for Maltese bluefin tuna to be showcased at the event. This initiative aimed to foster the entry of bluefin tuna and other seafood products into the Chinese market. In response, Shanghai Customs appointed a dedicated liaison to assist Malta in navigating the new facilitation measures for the Expo. As a result, the tuna received the necessary approvals from the General Administration of Customs, allowing it to be displayed at the event.

Li Hao, a customs officer at Pudong International Airport, explained that due to the critical timing requirements for the fresh bluefin tuna, customs offered a comprehensive set of facilitation measures. The team proactively coordinated with importers to understand their import plans and customized a regulatory approach to ensure that the tuna reached the market in the freshest possible state.