China Customs strict control of U.S. soybean “whitewash” channel, imported soybean customs clearance ‘long queues’-1

China Customs strict control of U.S. soybean “whitewash” channel, 

                                                     imported soybean customs clearance ‘long queues’--1 

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In order to achieve close supervision of the global soybean supply chain, China Customs recently joined hands with Brazil, 

Argentina and other major soybean suppliers to create the world's first blockchain traceability innovation platform. 

Each batch of imported soybeans from field planting to cross-border transport of the whole life cycle data is included in

 the dynamic ‘digital file’, including planting GPS coordinates, harvesting period, real-time trajectory of the transport 

ship and other 12 key indicators, through the Internet of Things sensors to achieve real-time data on the chain. What is 

more noteworthy is that the system introduces ‘protein spectral fingerprinting’ and ‘soil isotope mapping’ two cutting-

edge technologies to build up a DNA database of soybean origin. After big data analysis, it was found that the protein content 

of soybeans in the Midwest of the United States is 35.1% due to specific soil trace elements, while similar products from major

 producing areas in South America are usually lower than 34%, and the tiny difference of only 0.7% has become a key parameter 

for the algorithm to identify.

2025 A typical case that happened in April highlighted the effectiveness of technology-enabled

 regulation. A batch of 300,000 tonnes of soybeans labelled as ‘from Argentina’ triggered an intelligent warning due to abnormal 

protein indicators, and Customs discovered through blockchain traceability that the goods were still packaged in unreplaced 

sacks of U.S. origin, and ultimately returned to the country for the full amount of the shipment. In response to the loopholes in the 

logistics of the traditional ‘origin-washing’ operation, China Customs innovatively introduced the ‘spatial and temporal

 topology analysis’ technology, which monitors the AIS signals, loading and unloading data, and meteorological information 

of 2,300 major ports around the world in real time.

2025 In March, the system alerts showed that a cargo vessel labelled ‘Brazil-China’ had stopped over in the Mississippi

 River for 72 hours, and that its declared 200,000 tonnes of Brazilian soybeans had been isotopically tested and found 

to be in the wrong state of the world. The 200,000 tonnes of ‘Brazilian soybeans’ declared by the ship were confirmed

 to be of US origin through isotope testing, and the entire chain of operations was completely restored. The non-tampering 

feature of blockchain technology makes the traditional means of logistics camouflage completely ineffective. 

In addition to technological innovation, China Customs upgraded its supervision system and implemented the 

‘blockchain + double random’ random inspection mechanism, randomly assigning inspection targets and law enforcement

 personnel through smart contracts, and leaving electronic traces of the whole process to eliminate human intervention. 

All cases of non-compliance have been ‘blockchain evidence + network-wide publicity’ through the official website of the Customs, 

forming a strong deterrent effect.2024 A batch of Brazilian soybeans triggered in-depth testing due to a high degree of match between 

impurity spectra and samples from the U.S. Midwest, and the trader's capital flow was traced back to the whole process, and ultimately

 faced a hefty fine and a downward revision of its credit rating.

 A senior industry source lamented, ‘Now that the monitoring cameras at loading ports are connected to the traceability system, 

any violation of the operation is tantamount to throwing oneself into the net.’

 This technology and system-driven regulatory model is reshaping the rules of the game for international agricultural trade. Recently,

 customs inspection and quarantine of imported soybeans has been significantly strengthened, with a number of new indicators, 

such as seed dressing residues, ergot flora, and high-risk weed seeds, included in the screening scope. Importers are also required to

 provide additional traceability documents such as fumigation certificates of origin, port loading and unloading logs, and temperature-

controlled data for the entire transport process, making the complexity of the customs inspection process increase geometrically. 

Since April 2025, the customs quarantine mode has been upgraded from the traditional ‘one out of five ships’ random sampling 

inspection to ship-by-ship precision inspection, and the establishment of ‘one ship, one file’ digital quarantine files.

(Based on: Globe, Feed Industry Information Network, Booya Hutchison, General Administration of Customs, National Bureau of Statistics)