A container vessel loaded with about 1,100 tons of Chilean cherries arrived in south China's Shenzhen City in the early hours of Tuesday, marking the arrival of the first sea shipment of Chilean cherries in China for the 2025-2026 production season. The cherries first reached Hong Kong through maritime transportation and was then delivered to Shenzhen by cross-border trucks. After customs clearance, the cherries will be distributed to major supermarkets and fruit and vegetable wholesale markets across south China. The whole process will only take less than four hours from the vessel's arrival. "From unloading in Hong Kong to customs clearance at the Shenzhen Bay Port, the entire process was efficient and smooth, effectively preserving the freshness and quality of the cherries," said Liu Juan, customs affairs manager of a local foreign trade company. Following this shipment, at least one "cherry freighter' is expected to dock in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. During the last peak import season, from Nov 2024 to March 2025, Shenzhen ports handled a total of 202,000 tons of cherry imports, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the country's imported cherries, according to the Shenzhen Customs. "We carefully calculate the variables and instantaneous peak values in cherry clearance to arrange for inspection manpower in advance. By utilizing advanced technologies such as intelligent label recognition, we have significantly shortened inspection time combining manpower and technologies, achieving fast inspection and clearance for cherries," said Wu Weiguang, a customs officer at the Shenzhen Bay Customs. According to the Chilean Cherry Committee, the country anticipates cherry exports to reach 131 million boxes, totaling 655,000 tons in the latest season. Of those ruby-colored fruits, 93 percent are destined for the Chinese market, with 90 percent of fresh cherries transported by sea, and direct routes to China only take 23 days, according to the Chilean Agriculture Minister. This year, Chile has further strengthened its cherry express operations, planning 32 direct voyages, double the number from last year. SHOTLIST: Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - Dec 1-2, 2025 1. Doors of truck carrying cherry shipment being opened; 2. Various of customs officials examining cherries in inspection; 3. Boxes of cherries being unloaded, transported; 4. Customs officials examining cherries; 5. Boxes of cherries; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liu Juan, customs affairs manager, local foreign trade company: "From unloading in Hong Kong to customs clearance at the Shenzhen Bay Port, the entire process was efficient and smooth, effectively preserving the freshness and quality of the cherries."; 7. Customs officials taking photos of cherries; FILE: Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - Date Unknown 8. Various of port scene, containers; Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - Dec 1-2, 2025 9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wu Weiguang, official, Shenzhen Bay Customs (partially overlaid with shot 10): "We carefully calculate the variables and instantaneous peak values in cherry clearance to arrange for inspection manpower in advance. By utilizing advanced technologies such as intelligent label recognition, we have significantly shortened inspection time combining manpower and technologies, achieving fast inspection and clearance for cherries."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. Customs officials examining cherries; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Chile - Date Unknown 11. Aerial shot of cherry plantation; 12. Various of cherries on trees. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]