Haikou Customs Laboratory has secured a prestigious designation from the World Customs Organization (WCO), becoming one of only three institutions in China recognized as a WCO Regional Customs Laboratory. This recognition positions Hainan at the forefront of international customs cooperation, adding weight to China Customs’ strategy of deeper engagement with global trade and regulatory bodies.
The official unveiling ceremony was held on August 27 at the Sanya Moon Island Comprehensive Laboratory, one of Haikou’s key research hubs.
A State-of-the-Art Customs Facility
Spanning 56,000 square meters across Haikou and Sanya, the Haikou Customs Laboratory complex comprises eight laboratory buildings and more than 2,400 instruments.
Its portfolio includes cutting-edge analytical systems such as laser confocal microscopy and chromatography–mass spectrometry coupling, alongside advanced biological and physical testing equipment.
This infrastructure enables the laboratory to provide high-level technical support across multiple dimensions, with distinct advantages in:
Tropical plant isolation and quarantine
Animal quarantine services
Imported cosmetics safety testing
Petrochemical product analysis
The Sanya Moon Island facility, in particular, is tasked with quarantine identification, GMO testing, species resource assessment, and invasive species monitoring. By mid-August 2025, the site had completed 240 batches of plant quarantine tests (1,468 separate analyses) and 43 batches of animal quarantine tests (15,009 analyses). These operations form a critical line of defense for China’s national biosecurity network and showcase Hainan’s capacity as a demonstration platform for innovation in germplasm resource transit and quarantine services.
Driving the Hainan Free Trade Port
The laboratory’s role extends beyond customs compliance. It is set to play a strategic role in supporting the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), which is due to reach full operational status on December 18, 2025.
Key contributions include:
Testing across 45 major categories of duty-free goods, underpinning regulatory supervision.
Pathogen detection in imported frozen meat, strengthening safeguards against biohazards.
Professional petrochemical testing, providing assurance for bulk commodity trade at Hainan’s ports.
International travel health services, including infectious disease detection and vector surveillance training for customs authorities across the Asia-Pacific.
These functions will not only support the Free Trade Port’s regulatory integrity but also enhance its reputation as a secure, high-standard hub for international commerce.
Anchoring China in the Global Customs Network
Haikou Customs Laboratory now joins a select group of WCO Regional Customs Laboratories around the world, including:
China: Nanjing Customs Laboratory (2021) and now Haikou
Japan: Central Customs Laboratory
Korea: Korea Central Customs Laboratory
India: Central Revenues Control Laboratory
Europe: Customs Laboratories European Network (CLEN)
These facilities act as regional capacity-building centers, sharing technical expertise, conducting professional training, and supporting customs administrations with advanced analytical services. Haikou’s inclusion strengthens China’s voice in international customs governance while enhancing Asia-Pacific capabilities in trade facilitation, compliance, and biosecurity.
Future Outlook
According to Haikou Customs officials, the laboratory will continue expanding its influence in three priority areas:
Supporting CITES compliance and biodiversity protection, aligning with international commitments.
Backing the Hainan Free Trade Port’s regulatory framework, ensuring smooth and secure trade flows.
Advancing international travel health and quarantine services, reinforcing global mobility and safety.
With its new WCO designation, the Haikou Customs Laboratory is not just a technical asset for Hainan, it is becoming a cornerstone of China’s international trade strategy, blending advanced science with global cooperation at the very heart of the Free Trade Port project.
Related article: Hong Kong Investment Firm Launches Hainan’s First Foreign-Led Stem Cell Venture
