China customs to operate 24/7 to process Thai durian imports

By Dat Nguyen May 8, 2025 | 06:52 pm PT

A woman chooses durians imported from Thailand at a supermarket in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 7, 2023. Photo by AFP

China customs have committed to round-the-clock operations to facilitate Thai durian imports during peak harvest season.

"I would like to thank the General Administration of Customs of China and its officials for attaching importance to durian imports from Thailand and for assigning officials to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat said Thursday, as reported by The Nations.

She added that Chinese authorities have increased the number of laboratories at their border to test Thai durians for Basic Yellow 2 dye contamination, following previous rejections of contaminated shipments.

The dye, also known as Auramine O, is often banned in food for its cancer-causing elements.

Thailand’s harvest season is expected to last from May to August. The country has traditionally been the largest supplier of durian to China, the world’s largest market for the fruit.

The minister also highlighted that Thailand currently has nine laboratories screening durians for contamination to avoid further rejections by China, and it seeking China’s approval for the 10th facility.

China accounted for 98% of Thailand’s durian exports last year, with an export value of approximately $4 billion, according to Thailand’s official data.