By Mei Mei Chu
BEIJING, Dec 7 (Reuters) - China imported 7.92 million metric tons of soybeans in November, customs data showed on Thursday, CNC metal machining up 7.8% from a year earlier but lower than traders' expectations due to slower clearing of cargoes at customs.
The world's top importer of soybeans was expected by some traders to bring in as much as 10 million tons last month, after large purchases of the oilseed from top supplier Brazil.
However, the customs authorities are taking longer to issue import licences than before, which has delayed the unloading of cargoes, said Yuyun Chen, trader with Mingsui International(Shanghai) Trading Co.
Soybean vessels require an automatic import licence (AIL) to unload cargoes, which must be issued within 10 working days, but in practice have often been granted in a day.
Chen said customs was now taking up to 10 days to process the licences.
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