TRENT 7000 engine. (Source: Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone)

The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) has completed its first bonded lease of an aircraft engine under the off-site entrusted customs supervision arrangement, following the clearance of a 13-ton TRENT 7000 engine.

The engine, a spare unit for Hainan Airlines' A330neo fleet, was produced and shipped by Rolls-Royce from its Derby headquarters in the UK. After delivery on August 3, it was flown from Frankfurt, Germany, to Ezhou Huahu International Airport in China, where all import customs procedures were completed.

As a high-value, high-precision component of heavy aviation machinery, the engine requires careful protection during transportation and handling.

In the traditional supervision approach for comprehensive bonded zones, transporting the 13-ton engine to Haikou would involve a lengthy journey. Moving and handling such equipment, along with the risk of damage during multiple transfers, could significantly delay delivery and add cost strain on companies.

To address the issue, customs authorities and related departments in Haikou and Ezhou implemented cross-district coordination, which includes account management in Haikou and off-site entrusted supervision at the Ezhou port of entry. With this setup, the engine doesn't have to be physically shipped to Haikou for customs supervision. Customs clearance and bonded management were handled directly at the port of entry.

The model significantly reduces operating costs and transportation risks for companies. The Haikou Comprehensive Bonded Zone has previously used off-site entrusted supervision to manage import and export clearance for maintenance projects encompassing the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737-800, large XCMG mining machinery, and other equipment. Haikou aims to continue leveraging its policy advantages to draw in more international aviation projects and premium equipment leasing activities.