BEIJING — China has sped up customs clearance for epidemic control materials from overseas amid efforts to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said on Feb 5.

A total of 377 million items of epidemic prevention and control goods worth nearly 1.22 billion yuan ($174.7 million) have been cleared since Jan 24, said Jin Hai, an official with the GAC, at a press conference.

According to Jin, customs offices nationwide have opened special channels to facilitate clearance services for epidemic control materials, offered fast tracks to overseas donations and ensured "zero delays" in customs clearance for imported drugs and medical devices.