Customs officers inspect air-imported king crabs. [Photo/WeChat account: hzhgfb]

A plane carrying 14 metric tons of live king crabs landed at Hangzhou International Airport on Oct 17 after a 12-hour flight.

Following an inspection by customs officers, the crabs were swiftly distributed to supermarkets and seafood markets in Hangzhou and surrounding areas.

This marks the first time king crabs have been imported via Hangzhou's airport. Previously, sea routes were preferred, but air import is now favored due to efficient customs clearance and stable international flights, ensuring higher survival rates for live seafood.

Customs at Hangzhou International Airport makes sure fresh goods reach the market quickly by working around the clock and coordinating with import companies.

From January to September, over 6,000 tons of fresh seafood, including crabs, lobsters, and Atlantic salmon, were imported through Hangzhou's airport, which is growing its role in China's fresh seafood trade.

King crabs have a higher survival rate when shipped by air. [Photo/WeChat account: hzhgfb]