General Office of the State Council issued Notice of Promulgating Speed-up the Integration & Optimization Program of Special Customs Zones

The State Council issued the Notice of Promulgating Speed-up the Integration & Optimization Program of Special Customs Zones on August 28th 2015, which provided directive guidelines for integrating and optimizing various special customs zones in China and outlined the timetable for the work. This may make an impact on traditional bonded processing industry, modern logistics and traditional commerce, and it may also accelerate the progress of some industries such as cross-border leasing, cross-border e-commerce, and repairing & remanufacturing. Relevant industries should pay special attention to it.

The Regional Customs Clearance Reform for Special Customs Zones and Bonded Facilities

The General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 47 on September 25th 2015, declaring that from September 25th 2015, the regional customs clearance mode can apply to all ports for goods entering and/or leaving the Special Customs Zones and Bonded Facilities. According to the logistics needs, enterprises can choose one of the following clearance modes: port clearance, bonded transit, or regional clearance. This reform is conducive to enterprises to adopt flexible logistics arrangements, saving logistics costs.

China ratifies WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

On Sep 4^th 2015, China completed the domestic approval procedures of accepting the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Protocol and became the 16th member to the Protocol. According to the WTO Provisions, the Protocol takes effect once 2/3 of WTO members accept it. For China, the implementation of the protocol may improve trade facilitation and help commerce business to reduce trade cost.

Customs announced administrative ruling and determination 2015 on commodity classification

The General Administration of Customs announced Administrative Ruling on Commodity Classification (II) 2015 by Announcement No.41. This mainly includes park sightseeing cars, whole-body scanners, x-ray computed tomography systems, and tetrabromobisphenol. In addition, the General Administration of Customs released The Administrative Determination of Classification (III) 2015 by announcement of Announcement No.49. This involves 11 commodities such as strawberry flavor modulating lipid emulsion, chocolate milk, and Linen message board. The ruling and determinations are legally effective, so enterprises should refer to the rule and implementation.

Customs enforces the system of uniform social credit number

The General Administration of Customs issued the Announcement No.46 declaring that from October 1st 2015, entities and other organizations that have obtained the uniform social credit number should register with customs by their new registration certificate issued by the registration authorities. For entities and other organizations that registered with the authorities before October 1st 2015, the valid business license, organization code certificate and tax registration certificates that have not been transferred to the new system can still be used during customs registration process.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision sets rules for supervising the import of measuring instruments

The General Administration of Quality Supervision announced that any entity or individual importing, or any foreign companies or its agent selling, measuring instruments shall apply to the Measuring Administrative Department of the State Council for related approval. Imports and sales without the approval are prohibited. Relevant enterprises should go through the approval procedures for measurement apparatus before importing and selling takes place.

Shenzhen Customs launched Enterprises Volunteer Disclosure Program at Qian Hai Shekou, Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone

Shenzhen Customs took the initiative to launch Enterprises Volunteer Disclosure Program at Qian Hai, Shekou, Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone. Enterprises within the said area can voluntarily participate in the pilot program. Volunteering enterprises should either conduct self-check on the due diligence of their last three years of import and export operations or related activities, or engage a qualified agency to carry out the check. These enterprises shall provide relevant information and documents and submit a written report to the responsible customs office. Enterprises that voluntarily disclose non-compliance identified during the check may be given a lenient treatment or be exempted from administrative punishment.

Fuzhou Custom implements Voluntary Application, Applicable within the Zone regarding customs classification in Pingtan and Fuzhou

Fujian Custom released Announcement No. 28 on October 10th 2015, implementing Voluntary Application, Applicable within the Zone regarding customs classification in Pingtan and Fuzhou areas, Fujian Pilot Free Trade Zone. For enterprises within these two areas, Customs shall release the goods after a procedural review, as long as related enterprises can voluntarily provide Pre-classification Determination.

Hangzhou Customs announced the Customs Supervision Proposal for China (Hangzhou) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area

Hangzhou Customs released Notice No.2 on October 20th 2015, launching the Customs Supervision Proposal for China (Hangzhou) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area. This program sets up regulations for the declaration, inspection, taxation and release of cross-border e-commerce shipments. Related enterprises within the pilot area shall abide by these regulations.