A new GMS (Great Mekong Subregion) international road transport route connecting the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, also known as the SCODA in Qingdao to Bangkok, Thailand, was officially launched on July 31.

A truck loaded with frozen vegetables departed from the Silk Road e-commerce comprehensive service base under customs supervision, marking a significant expansion of the area's southbound logistics network.

This is the second GMS route that has opened within a month, following a service to Vientiane, Laos. The GMS system allows vehicles with a single certificate to travel across all six member countries — China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar — without reloading or transshipment for a full year.

The first shipment, from Qingdao Yingjia Food Co, was transported in sealed containers directly to Thailand in approximately seven days, significantly faster than traditional sea freight. This both saves time and minimizes the risk of cargo damage during loading and unloading.

"To ensure a smooth launch, we communicated with the company beforehand and established a customs clearance plan," said Song Tao, deputy director of Jiaozhou Customs. A dedicated fast-track window has also been set up.

The SCODA now operates two GMS routes and six TIR routes, connecting to countries including Laos, Thailand, Russia, and Azerbaijan. A total of 231 cross-border truck shipments worth 210 million yuan ($31.1 million) have been dispatched this year, enhancing the "TIR+GMS" dual-channel logistics network.

The new GMS route cuts the time it takes to transport goods to Thailand to just seven days, boosting trade connectivity from Qingdao to Southeast Asia. [Photo/Guanhai News]