International delegations arriving in Shanghai for the upcoming World Expo would be entitled to special passage for swift border inspection as the metropolis gears up for the final run-up to the international event, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Australian delegation took only 5 minutes to clear border inspections for all its 40 members upon their arrival in Shanghai on Tuesday night. They are the first international group to benefit from the Expo privilege.

The special treatment would also be applied to Expo officials and international reporters covering the event that starts on May 1.