Announcement on the Closure of Suibin Gang Port and Huachuan Gang Port in Heilongjiang (GACC Announcement No. 60  [2019]）

On 16 January 2019, the State Council approved the closure of Suibin Gang Port and Huachuan Gang Port in Heilongjiang. The ports were closed on 3 April 2019.

Announcement on matters relating to data transmission status information of newly inquired declaration forms (GACC Announcement No. 62 [2019])

In order to enjoy tax and fee cuts and other relevant policies, import and export entities can now use the “Internet + Customs” all-in-one online platform named  “Let Me Check” (http://online.customs.gov.cn) and “Query Statistics,” a sub-function of the China International Trade Single Window (https://www.singlewindow.cn), to query export declaration form and import VAT payment notice data that has been transferred between the GACC and the State Taxation Administration(STA). These measures were effective 10 April 2019. Using these capabilities, import and export entities can more conveniently handle export tax rebate and import VAT deduction procedures in a timely manner.

Announcement on Adjusting the Classification Table of Inbound Goods of the People's Republic of China and the Dutiable Values Table of Inbound Goods of the People's Republic of China (GACC Announcement No. 63 [2019])

According to the Notice of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Issues Related to Adjustment of the Import Tax on Inbound Goods (Customs Tariff Commission [2019] No. 17), the GACC decided to make relevant adjustments to the Classification Table of Inbound Goods of PRC and the PRC Dutiable Value Table of Inbound Goods of PRC (Announcement No. 140 [2018]). The principles of classification and the determination of dutiable value remain unchanged. The announcement (see Appendix 1 and 2) was effective 9 April 2019.

Announcement on Issuing the Format Standards for the Electronically Converted or Scanned Customs Declaration Documents (GACC Announcement No. 66 [2019])

In order to further standardise and facilitate all-in-one customs declaration for enterprises around the country, the GACC has optimised processes related to electronic declaration. To this end, the GACC formulated and announced the Format Standards for the Electronically Converted or Scanned Customs Declaration Documents (see Appendix), which became effective 1 May 2019. Additionally, on this date the Paperless Electronic Scanning and Conversion File Format Standards for Declaration Documents (GACC Announcement No. 69 [2014]) were repealed.

Announcement of the Standard for the Establishment of Customs-supervised Work Premises (GACC Announcement No. 68 [2019])

In accordance with the Provisional Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Areas under Customs Surveillance (GACC Decree No. 232), the GACC formulated and announced the Standard for the Establishment of Customs-supervised Work Premises, which was effective from its announcement date. Additionally, on this date the Standard for the Establishment of Customs-supervised Work Premises (GACC Announcement No. 52 [2017]) was repealed.

Announcement on the Implementation of the Mutual Customs Recognition of "Authorised Economic Operators" (AEOs) between China and Japan (GACC Announcement No. 71 [2019])

According to the provisions of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, China and Japan will mutually recognise each other’s AEOs. This mutual recognition will serve to facilitate customs clearance for goods imported into each country by the other country’s AEOs. Each country’s customs authority must fully consider the qualifications of the counterpart’s AEO when conducting risk assessment to reduce inspection and supervision, must handle the goods to be examined as quickly as possible, and must designate a customs liaison officer to be responsible for communication to solve problems during the customs clearance process for AEOs. After major infrastructure has been restored following a trade disruption, the customs authority must provide the fastest customs clearance for the goods of AEOs. When Chinese AEOs export goods to Japan, they need to notify the Japanese importer of the AEO enterprise code, and the Japanese importer will declare this code in accordance with Japanese customs regulations. Japanese Customs will then provide relevant convenience measures after confirming the identity of the Chinese AEO. When a Chinese enterprise imports goods from a Japanese AEO, it needs to separately enter the AEO code of the Japanese shipper in the “Foreign Shipper Code” column of the “Foreign Shipper” section of the import declaration form and in the “AEO Enterprise Code of the Shipper” column in the water and air cargo manifest. 

Announcement on Anti-dumping Investigations of Imported Methionine Originating from Singapore, Malaysia and Japan (Announcement of the Ministry of Commerce No. 16 [2019])

In accordance with Article 16 of the Anti-dumping Regulations of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to commence an anti-dumping investigation with regard to imported methionine originating from Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. The investigation began on 10 April 2019.

The anti-dumping investigation will study the period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, and the industrial damage investigation period will cover the period from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018.

Announcement on the Ruling of the Final review of Anti-dumping Measures Imposed on Imported Electrolytic Capacitor Paper Originating in Japan (Announcement of the Ministry of Commerce No. 17 [2019]) 

In accordance with Article 50 of  the Anti-dumping Regulations, the Ministry of Commerce proposed that the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council continue to implement anti-dumping measures based on investigation results. Based on the Ministry of Commerce’s proposal, the  Customs Tariff Commission decided to continue imposing anti-dumping duties on imported electrolytic capacitor paper originating from Japan for a period of 5 years starting 18 April 2019.

From 18 April 2019, the importer has to pay the relevant anti-dumping duties to Chinese Customs when importing electrolytic capacitor paper originating from Japan. The anti-dumping duty is calculated based on the dutiable value review conducted by Customs, which uses the following formula: anti-dumping duty = Customs dutiable value X anti-dumping duty tariff rate. The import VAT is calculated based on the Customs dutiable value amount plus custom duties and anti-dumping duties.

Notice of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Issues Related to Adjustment of the Import Tax for Inbound Goods (CTC No. 17 [2019])

With the approval of the State Council, the Customs Tariff Commission decided to adjust the import tax on inbound goods. The relevant provisions are as follows:

1. The tax rates for inbound goods in import tax categories 1 and 2 have been reduced to 13% and 20% respectively.
2. The notes for "Drugs“ in import tax category 1 were revised to state, “Imported drugs levied VAT on import links at a reduced rate of 3% according to state regulations are subject to the goods tax rate.
3. The above-mentioned adjustments were effective 9 April 2019. 

 

Shanghai Customs Announcement on Improving the Inspection Process for Imported Automobile Components and Parts (Shanghai Customs Announcement No. 2 [2019])

In order to further promote cross-border trade and according to the relevant requirements of the GACC, Shanghai Customs has optimised product inspection procedures for imported automobile components and parts that are subject to statutory inspection and entry verification. For imported automobile components and parts subject to CCC certification, the CCC certification issued by the certification authority (Appendix 1) or the CCC exemption certificate issued by the relevant department may be provided in the statutory inspection and entry verification process, and generally no sampling inspection will be required. Products that have passed the conformity assessment are then allowed to be sold and used. However, where sampling inspection is required for early warning measures involving major quality and safety risks, the subordinate customs authority is required to implement the relevant regulations.

Announcement on the Repeal of 33 Documents including Tianjin Customs Announcement No. 17 [2015] (Tianjin Customs No. 3  [2019])

In order to deepen institutional reform; “streamline administration, delegate power, and improve service;” and facilitate foreign trade and boost development, Tianjin Customs revoked 33 documents including Tianjin Customs Announcement No. 17 [2015]. 

Announcement on Issues Related to Inspections and Production Enterprise Codes for Packaging Containers Used for Dangerous Export Commodities (Nanjing Customs Announcement No. 1 [2019])

In order to further implement the spirit of the “streamline administration, delegate power, and improve service” initiative; guarantee the transportation safety of dangerous export commodities; and in accordance with the GACC Announcement on Adjusting the Production Enterprise Codes of Packaging Containers for Dangerous Export Commodities (GACC Announcement No. 15 [2019]), Nanjing Customs further clarified issues related to inspections and production enterprise codes for containers transporting dangerous export goods. The announcement was effective from 1 May 2019. Additionally, on this date the Appendix 17 of the Nanjing Customs Announcement No. 13 [2018] was repealed.

Announcement on Issues Related to the Management to the Online Trade of Dangerous Chemicals Scraps Resulting from Processing Trade (Nanjing Customs Announcement No. 2 [2019])

In order to handle the domestic disposal of dangerous chemical scraps in a timely manner and to mitigate risks arising from the storage and backlog of dangerous chemical scraps, Nanjing Customs has issued regulations related to the online trade of dangerous chemical scraps resulting from processing trade. The announcement was effective from its announcement date.

Guangzhou Customs Announcement regarding a Change in Website Address for its “Internet + Customs” Online Platform(Guangdong Customs Announcement No. 1 [2019])

On 22 April 2019, the website address for Guangzhou Customs’ “Internet + Customs” online platform changed to https://gz.online.customs.gov.cn, and the former domain address (http://etg2.gzcustoms.gov.cn) is no longer operational.

Northen China 
Eric Zhou
China Trade and Customs Services
Lead Partner
Email: ec.zhou@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (10) 8508 7610

Helen Han    
Partner 
Email:h.han@kpmg.com
Tel:+86 (10) 8508 7627       

Eastern and Western China
Anthony Chau 
Partner
Email: anthony.chau@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (21) 2212 3206

Dong Cheng
Partner
Email: cheng.dong@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (21) 2212 3410

Rachel Tao
Director
Email: rachel.tao@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (21) 2212 3473   

Southern China
Grace Luo
Partner
Email: grace.luo@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (20) 3813 8609

Vivian Chen
Partner
Email: vivian.w.chen@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (755) 2547 1198

Phillip Xia
Director
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Tel: +86 (20) 3813 8674

Hong Kong
Daniel Hui    
Partner
Email: daniel.hui@kpmg.com
Tel: +852 2522 7815