Customs officials at Chongqing in China inspect a shipment of imported bananas.  --Photo Chongqing Customs District

First shipment of Lao bananas sent to Chongqing by rail

A freight train loaded with bananas grown in Laos has arrived in Chongqing, China, marking a milestone in Laos-China trade as the first shipment to use a fully dedicated, end-to-end rail transport system between the two countries.
The shipment comprised five 40-foot containers carrying a total net weight of 85.5 tonnes. Departing from Vientiane, the train crossed into China via the Mohan railway checkpoint in Yunnan province before continuing on to Chongqing.
Following inspection by customs officials, the bananas were distributed to wholesale fruit markets in Chongqing and nearby areas.
Importers say the size of the shipment reflects growing Chinese demand for high-quality fruit from Southeast Asia. Lao bananas, valued for their stable supply, good flavour, and competitive cost, are gaining in popularity, driving steady growth in imports.
The dedicated rail transport model includes temperature control, real-time tracking, and simplified logistics procedures.
These improvements have significantly reduced transportation losses, while overall logistics costs, including loading and unloading, have fallen by 16 percent compared with transport by road.
To ensure the smooth flow of imported fruit, Chongqing Customs has introduced a pilot inspection and quarantine programme under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor framework.
Authorities have also strengthened coordination with Kunming Customs and Chongqing railway agencies, providing tailored guidance on regulatory compliance, supplier verification, and quarantine permit applications.
Deputy Director of Chongqing Customs’ Animal and Plant Quarantine Department, Mr Zhao Kai, said that as a key component of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the China-Laos Railway offers numerous advantages in terms of efficiency, reliability, and environmentally friendly operations.
It is rapidly becoming the favoured way for agricultural products from Southeast Asia to reach Chongqing, he added.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 3, 2026)