Air-Land Fresh Lane via HKIA: Cold-chain delivers premium overseas foods to GBA restaurants in as little as three hours Creating New Business Opportunities for Export and Import Trade

Hong Kong enterprises are poised to capture new growth opportunities with the launch of the Air‑Land Fresh Lane, a dedicated, high‑efficiency corridor connecting global markets with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Fully operational since September 2025, the Air‑Land Fresh Lane significantly enhances the speed and reliability of cross‑boundary fresh‑food logistics—enabling importers to deliver premium perishables to GBA cities in just hours. By combining streamlined customs procedures with robust cold‑chain infrastructure, the Air‑Land Fresh Lane is strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a vital trade hub and creating new momentum for both import and export businesses with the GBA.

The Air-Land Fresh Lane’s reliability has been proven, with over 400 tonnes of chilled, live seafood and fruits handled since the launch. The associated shipments encompass a diverse range of products, including chilled bluefin tuna, live lobster from Australia, Chilean cherries, chilled shad from Burma, live eels from Bangladesh.

World-class Cold-chain Infrastructure at Hong Kong International Airport

Facilities at HKIA support the entire cold-chain journey and are recognised as the world’s first airport community to attain the full suite of IATA CEIV certifications including the IATA CEIV Fresh Certification, which are industry-wide accreditations for special cargo handling. With a fleet of 30 cool dollies that manages temperature control on the ground, the largest among Asia’s airports, there are 8,600 square metres of on-airport cold storage facilities across different temperature ranges, apron shelters to protect cargo from weather.

Leveraging HKIA’s Global Connectivity and Strategic GBA Location

The new service makes the most of HKIA’s established strengths supported by a comprehensive network of direct flights and global connectivity. With over 5 million tonnes of cargo processed in 2025, HKIA continues to rank as the world’s busiest cargo airport, maintaining its leading position since 2010. Located just next to the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao Bridge (HZMB), HKIA leverages the bridge to deliver fresh food quickly to major cities in the GBA, a prosperous market of over 87 million people with growing appetite for premium imported perishables.

Government Collaboration Enables Seamless Clearance

The Air‑Land Fresh Lane introduces a dedicated and highly efficient channel for chilled and live seafood, fruits, and other perishables entering the GBA through HZMB. Coordinated clearance procedures between HKIA and the HZMB allow goods to complete Chinese Mainland customs processing in as little as three hours after landing. Supported by round‑the‑clock customs operations in Hong Kong and Zhuhai, single air waybill arrangements, cold-chain trucks equipped with electronic lock technology and GPS tracking, together with advanced temperature controlled customs facilities in Zhuhai, the Air‑Land Fresh Lane ensures secure, seamless movement across the HZMB and onward to GBA cities.

Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise Department, Ms. Chiang Yi-lee said, “The successful implementation of the Air-Land Fresh Lane was attributed to the concerted efforts and co-operation of the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong.  By overcoming difficulties and removing barriers one by one, relevant regulations were able to be aligned between the two sides and have clearance procedures simplified. Furthermore, having the support of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to exempt the air-to-land food transshipment under this scheme from the food importer registration requirement, the Air-Land Fresh Lane has become a key bridge connecting the Chinese Mainland with global markets and strengthening Hong Kong’s role as an international logistics hub.”

Industry representatives have echoed these benefits. Timothy Kendall, Consul‑General of the Australian Consulate‑General in Guangzhou, said, “The Air‑Land Fresh Lane, launched by the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments, facilitates the movement of fresh products from Australia into the Chinese Mainland. In connecting HKIA to the Mainland via the HZMB, consignments of Australian seafood and fresh fruit can quickly enter the South China market. This means a fresh Australian lobster—caught in Tasmania, South Australia, or Western Australia—can be enjoyed in a Guangzhou restaurant within 24 hours!”

Unlocking Growth Opportunities for Overseas Exporters

The trade benefits are also evident for overseas suppliers. “Australia and New Zealand are home to a wide range of premium live and fresh products, with strong export potential. The GBA is one of the largest and most promising markets for our exporters. Through HKIA and the Air-Land Fresh Lane, exporters can access the GBA cities more quickly, efficiently, and successfully. We also have trust, experience, and confidence in Hong Kong’s role as a super connector and value-adder in facilitating trade partnerships involving premium products from Australia and New Zealand,” said Wilson Pang, Deputy Chairman of China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (South China) and Beachhead Advisor of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

 “One of our key priorities is ensuring that our products reach customers in the same premium condition as when they leave our shores. A professional and efficient logistics setup is essential—not only to save time and reduce costs but also to prevent quality issues and complaints from end consumers. By leveraging the Air-Land Fresh Lane programme, our customers can receive fresh products in significantly less time than standard shipping, helping to preserve product quality and freshness. This reliability strengthens our brand, enhances customer satisfaction, and encourages repeat orders,” said Jason Judkins, CEO of Wild Legend.

Supporting Two-way Trade: From the Chinese Mainland to Global Markets

The Air-Land Fresh Lane is also well positioned to support outbound flows to empower Chinese Mainland’s fresh products to go global. HKIA expresses a positive outlook for the future, viewing service flexibility and inter-modal links as key to keeping fresh products flowing reliably.
 
“The Air-Land Fresh Lane is an innovative solution to further reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a global aviation hub to facilitate premium goods transshipment via HKIA. Leveraging the state-of-the art infrastructure of HKIA, HZMB and the newly built perishable clearance facility at Zhuhai, together with the efficient and professional teams of the Hong Kong and the Mainland Customs, world-class trade corridor on global fresh is enabled.” said Irene Lau, General Manager of Aviation Logistics (Hong Kong), Airport Authority Hong Kong.

The Air‑Land Fresh Lane strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a leading trade gateway by enabling faster, more reliable movement of premium perishables between global markets and the GBA. The enhanced multimodal connectivity helps Hong Kong businesses expand their reach, capture rising regional demand, and reinforce the HKIA’s role as a super‑connector in international fresh products trade.