Trucks loaded with Mongolian zinc concentrate entered China through Mandala Port, marking the first batch of zinc concentrate imported through an internal land border station, according to Baotou Customs.

The zinc concentrate weighed 197.3 tons and was worth 802,200 yuan ($113,196). It was produced in a mine in Mongolia, 138 kilometers from Mandula Port.

Officials said the concentrate will be transported to various places for smelting, including Henan province and Jiangxi province.

Zinc concentrate is an important raw material for refining zinc. The importation of zinc concentrate can effectively alleviate the shortage of domestic zinc resources.

In order to assist with the zinc concentrate imports, Baotou Customs intervened in advance to streamline its supervision and inspection.

After conducting on-site inspections on, among other things, testing for radioactivity, the cargo was cleared smoothly.

Officials said that subsequently Baotou Customs implemented sampling and sample testing and laboratory testing – progressing from proactive regulations and supervision to post-event supervision -- to facilitate customs clearance.