On April 17, CGN Begood Technology Co., Ltd. (CGN Begood), a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), introduced its cutting-edge “Smart Customs” technologies at the North Terminal of Urumqi Tianshan International Airport. These innovations streamline the clearance process for incoming international passengers.
The new system includes terahertz scanners capable of completing safety checks in just 0.1 seconds, CT scanners that increase luggage inspection efficiency by 50 percent, and an AI risk assessment system that detects and flags luggage in real-time, setting a new benchmark in intelligent customs management.
Integrated Smart Customs inspection channels [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
As a key hub on the “Air Silk Road” linking Europe and Asia, the expansion of Urumqi Tianshan International Airport plays a vital role in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and accelerating the development of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. The newly launched North Terminal is designed to accommodate 48 million passengers annually, with long-term capacity planned to reach 63 million. To meet this demand, the terminal has introduced CGN Begood’s advanced “Smart Customs” solutions, integrating intelligent image analysis, big data analytics, facial recognition, and the Internet of Things to create an innovative matrix for intelligent supervision.
Self-service customs declaration terminals [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
For inbound passengers, a multifunctional customs and health inspection gate integrates facial recognition, carry-on baggage pre-screening, and matrix-style temperature checks, allowing seamless inspection without repeated queues or redundant procedures. For checked luggage, an automated pre-screening system can identify contraband and taxable goods, generate 3D risk maps, and initiate intelligent sealing and alert mechanisms — allowing compliant travelers to proceed directly to baggage claim.
On the outbound side, a dual-inspection mechanism enables travelers to complete both customs and security checks simultaneously by simply scanning their passports, with system interconnectivity improving clearance efficiency by over 30 percent. Through a complete reengineering of customs procedures and deep integration of intelligent equipment, more than 99 percent of compliant travelers now enjoy clearance in mere seconds.
According to the latest data, the new system has reduced the average clearance time for international passengers to under 20 seconds, with an accuracy rate of over 98 percent in identifying high-risk luggage.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
