The Pudong International Airport Customs became operational on November 18, following the airport's opening on October 31.

Cao Hengli, head of Shanghai Customs, said the opening of the Pudong International Airport Customs will help Shanghai become an important air hub in the Asia-Pacific region and will encourage an economic leap forward for the city.

Last month's airport opening made Shanghai the only Chinese city with two international airports. The city has been working hard to build itself into an international economic, financial and trade center.

Preparations for building the new customs center started in August last year, and the customs started trial operations at the end of September this year during the Fortune 500 global annual meeting in Shanghai.

During the initiation period, the customs provided service for 562 distinguished guests, overseas correspondents and 31 chartered planes to the airport.