China's Shenzhen Hualian Grains and Oils Trading Co said on Monday it was still awaiting a permit from Beijing's quarantine authority to unload 100 tonnes of corn from the United States.
The trading house had bought 100 tonnes of genetically modified (GMO) corn from the United States, in what was seen as a test case if Beijing would allow more of such imports in future.
An official from Hualian said it needed a permit from Beijing in addition to approval from Guangdong's provincial quarantine authority. "We do not see serious problems as the local quarantine bureau has approved it," the official said.
He said the corn was bought on behalf of a local feed mill which has import quotas.
He said the containers had arrived in Hong Kong and would stay there for several days before being transported to Huangpu port in the province.