Customs to Support Foreign Trade Firms in Resuming Work

The General Administration of Customs issued 10 measures on 16 February to help foreign trade enterprises resume business and promote the steady growth of foreign trade in a bid to reduce the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy.

• Customs will increase support to ease the difficulties faced by enterprises. Business registration and filing procedures will be simplified. For changes in registration details, only changes of business name will require submission of an application online. Other changes may be left alone for the time being and dealt with until after the epidemic is over.
• Inspection and release of imported production equipment and raw materials needed by enterprises will be expedited. Where inspection is required, machine-assisted inspection will be increased and out-of-box audits will be reduced.
• Imports of agricultural products and food will be expanded. Steps will be taken to further increase the number of countries and registered companies with access to China’s market for agricultural products and food, and to increase the varieties of goods imported.
• Enterprises will be supported to expand exports. Pre-export supervision will be optimised and convenient permit issuance service will be provided. Targeted moves will be made to improve the issuing of export goods quarantine certificates, disposal certificates, place of origin certificates, health certificates, and other similar documents.
• Quarantine examination and approval for imports of special medical supplies will be simplified. Port customs may directly release imported vaccines, blood products, re-agents and other special medical supplies for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of the coronavirus on the strength of proofs provided by the department in charge.
• Deadlines for certain processing trade documentation procedures will be extended.
• Verification and write-off procedures will be simplified and on-site audits reduced.
• A simple and quick approach to administrative penalties will be taken. Enterprises and individuals allegedly involved in cases relating to epidemic supplies should be dealt with swiftly and in a streamlined manner.
• International co-ordination and co-operation will be promoted and responses to the restrictive trade measures of foreign countries strengthened.
• ‘Internet + customs’ will be promoted. Steps will be taken to ensure the stable and efficient operation of information technology systems.

Source: General Administration of Customs