(Yicai Global) Sept. 27 -- A hydrogen racing car, co-developed by multinational tire manufacturer Michelin, has become the first 2021 China International Import Expo item to pass through customs clearance, more than a month before the fourth annual expo kicks off in November.

The vehicle has been taken to a warehouse today after it arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport yesterday, Shanghai Observer reported. The product was shipped from Luxembourg and it stopped in Thailand on the way.

The EUR70,000 (USD81,891) prototype is a brainchild of two French firms, Michelin and hydrogen fuel cell maker Symbio. Almost half of the tires consist of sustainable materials, according to the MNC.

The No. 1 spot wasn't a result of well-planned PR tactics for Michelin which is participating in the expo for the second time. "Unexpectedly, it became the first exhibit finishing customs clearance," said Wei Shujie, president of Michelin China. The company decided to ship the car as soon as possible due to the unstable situation with international flight routes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Next month, more than 200 shipments of goods are expected to enter Shanghai by sea, air, and train transport, for the national trade event. Some of the debuting technical equipment include a surgical endoscopy robot and an unmanned electric loader. Visitors will be able to see more than 190 cultural relics and artworks with a total value of more than CNY1.7 billion (USD263.2 million) at the expo.

International companies are welcomed with a streamlined import process. Customs clearance for CIIE exhibits is paperless for increased efficiency, said Jiang Kaiyuan, customs director at Shanghai's National Exhibition and Convention Center.

Regarding the hydrogen car, customs staff had worked out a guarantee plan with airlines and logistics companies in advance to ensure fast service, according to Jiang.

This year's CIIE is scheduled to be held from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi