Thousands of containers move in and out of the port every day. In addition to frontier and customs inspection, containers are inspected by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in connection with health issues and environmental protection. Inspections are conducted to prevent germs, pests, weed seeds and other living organisms harmful to plant and animal life from being introduced or from being spread to other countries.

Located in the Joint-Inspection Building, the bureau is responsible for inspecting, quarantining and supervising the arrival and departure of vessels, and their import and export cargo at Yantian Port. By making use of leading-edge technology, YICT, in cooperation with the bureau, has developed a number of information processes to enhance the declaration efficiency for import and export cargo.

With the Easyport computer system, the bureau is able to implement numerous initiatives including pre-inspection of import empty containers, paperless operations, direct release of empty containers from non-epidemic regions and vessel pre-declaration. For example, when a shipping line transmits electronic data to the bureau via the computer system before the vessel's arrival, the bureau will analyse the data to determine which containers need to be inspected. Meanwhile, having simultaneously received the inspection instructions, YICT will then deliver the container for inspection directly to the inspection site upon the vessel's arrival, thus avoiding any unnecessary time for the container to stay at the terminal as well as saving costs for the customer.

With an Express Port Inspection System, the bureau is able to obtain electronic booking information and cargo declarations in advance. The system will process the data in accordance with the regulations on inspection and quarantine, and then send advance inspection or release instructions to the terminal's operations department as well as to the import/export companies. The express electronic transmission thereby realises a more efficient cargo flow.

On 13 August 2005, the bureau launched a Video Monitoring System, which aids the release of empty containers round the clock. Declaration efficiency has been increased more than twofold, from handling 300 containers per day in the past to handling more than 1,000 containers per day at present. A total of 18 video cameras are installed in and around the inspection site, gatehouses, quayside and the declaration hall, together with five closed circuit TV monitors. With a Closed Circuit Television System, it is possible for the control room to monitor the inspection site, declaration hall, gatehouses and quayside for empty and laden containers in real time. Information relating to every truck's plate number, container number, cargo data, vessel arrival and departure, and vessel name can be easily and clearly identified. It is also possible to electronically identify laden containers originating from epidemic areas for the efficient inspection and release of such kinds of import containers.

A self-help Automatic Data Interchange System was launched on 1 July 2005. The bureau transmits pre-process electronic data to self-help computers or company computers, thus enabling companies to enquire, update, batch process data and view documents in different formats from their own offices. Results can then be encoded, enabling the Bureau to scan them at the counter, before processing. The system is not only convenient for companies, but also helps to minimise errors arising from the updating of documentation as well as increasing declaration efficiency.

To cope with round-the-clock operations at YICT, the bureau has extended its inspection services to 365 days a year. An open day was implemented on Tuesdays for representatives of enterprises to meet with the Bureau's Director. An enquiry counter at the Bureau's declaration hall has also been set up for answering on-site enquiries.