Announcement on the First Exclusion Lists for US Origin Goods Subjected to Retaliatory Tariffs (Tariff Commission Announcement [2019] No. 6)

According to the Announcement on the Trial Implementation of Product Exclusion Process for Retaliatory Tariffs on US Origin Goods (Tariff Commission Announcement No. 2 [2019]), the Tariff Commission of the State Council (“the Tariff Commission”) announced 1st batch exclusion of certain products in two lists.

Specifically, items in List 1 will be exempted from retaliatory tariffs, starting from 17 September 2019 to 16 September 2020. Refunds of the retaliatory tariffs that have already been paid will be offered on those List 1 items. Companies have six months to submit refund applications to China Customs.

Items in List 2 will also be exempted from the retaliatory tariffs starting from 17 September 2019 to 16 September 2020. However, the tariffs that have already paid would not be refunded on those items under List 2.

 

Announcement on the Inspection of Imported Iron Ore Futures Under Bonded Status (GAC Announcement [2019] No. 139)

To support the development of importing iron ore futures into China under bonded status, the General Administration of Customs (“GAC”) clarifies on relevant inspection requirement. The inspection of bonded iron ore futures will be in the mode of “consolidated inspection and batch-based clearance”. 

 

Announcement on Adjusting the Requirements of Sea and Air Cargo Manifest (GAC Announcement [2019] No. 144)

In order to facilitate the “Two-step Customs Declaration” pilot reform, GAC has issued the Announcement on 12 September 2019. Logistics companies should transmit electronic data to the Customs in accordance with the instruction of Administrative Measures of PRC Customs for Cargo Manifests of Inward and Outward Means of Transport (GAC Order No. 172).

The Announcement clarifies the Customs will conduct strict inspections on the declaration time of cargo manifests and related electronic data and the companies who fail to declare in time will be punished. In addition, the Announcement adjust the filling and transmission requirements of sea and air cargo manifest. The Announcement will come into effect on 15 November 2019, and GAC Announcement No. 56 [2017] will be replaced simultaneously.

 

Relevant Issues on Cancellation of Providing 2 Licenses for Ports Inspection (GAC NHC Announcement [2019] No. 152)

GAC and National Health Commission (“NHC”) announced that Certificate for New Food Materials (Licence 1) and Tentative Standard for Imported Foods Without National Food Safety Standards (Licence 2) are no loner used for ports inspection from 27 September 2019. The joint Announcement [2018] No. 145 will be replaced simultaneously.

 

Announcement on the Final Ruling on the Anti-dumping Measures Imposed on Imports of Phenol Originating in USA, the EU, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Thailand.  (MOFCOM Announcement [2019] No. 37)

According to Article 38 of the Antidumping Regulations of China, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China ("MOFCOM") proposed that the Tariff Commission of State Council to impose anti-dumping duties on certain commodities. Based on the suggestion from the MOFCOM, Tariff Commission decided to impose anti-dumping duties on Phenol originating from the United States, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Thailand for a period of 5 years, starting from 6 September 2019.

 

Announcement on “Two Certificates in One” for Registration of Foreign Trader Operator and Registration of Country of Origin Enterprises (MOFCOM Announcement [2019] No. 39)

MOFCOM, GAC and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (“CCPIT”) have issued the Announcement on 23 September 2019, announcing “Two Certificates in One” reform effective from 15 October 2019.

Enterprises would be able to complete their country of origin enterprises registration upon their registration as Foreign Trader Operator, and would be ready to apply for Certificate of Origin (“C/O”) with customs and other government authorities.

 

Notice on the Paperless Operations for Export License Application of Used Car (Shang Ban Mao Han [2019] No.297) 

In order to facilitate a steady development of foreign trade, MOFCOM and GAC decided to implement a paperless operation for export license application and customs clearance of used cars, starting from 9 September 2019.  Exporters who export used car can choose to adopt paper or paperless operations.

Beijing Customs Announcement on Customs Clearance and Extension for Temporary Imported R&D Testing Vehicle Without Mandatory Inspection Requirement (Beijing Customs Announcement [2019] No. 12)

Beijing Customs has issue an Announcement on 9 September 2019. For the temporary imported R&D testing vehicle without mandatory inspection requirement, the temporary importation period can be extended to 2 years based on the needs of testing.

 

Tianjin Customs Layout on its Bonded Warehouse and Export Supervised Warehouse (From Year 2019 to 2021) (Tianjin Customs Announcement [2019] No. 7)

In order to facilitate development of bonded warehouse and export supervised warehouse (“2 Warehouses”) in the areas supervised by Tianjin Customs, Tianjin Customs issued the Layout on Bonded Warehouse and Export Supervised Warehouse (From Year 2019 to 2021) (“the Layout”), based on the relevant GAC regulations and actual situations of the areas.

 

Tianjin Customs Announcement on Enterprise Voluntary Disclosure (Tianjin Customs Announcement [2019] No. 8)

Tianjin Customs issued the Announcement about voluntary disclosure. If importers found non-compliant issue(s) in self-review, they can submit Voluntary Disclosure Report via “Internet + Customs” or in hardcopies to audit division of in-charge customs. Importers can entrust professional institutions in accounting or taxation, to make professional assessment on related issues in their voluntary disclosure, and Tianjin Customs can take the professional conclusion for reference during their review.

Northen Region 
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 Region
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 Region
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
Email: philip.xia@kpmg.com
Tel: +86 (20) 3813 8674

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