China GAC Optimizes Integration of Custom Clearance Inspection Qualifications

On April 16^th, China General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced the optimized integration of Custom Clearance Inspection Qualifications, in line with the State Council reform that transferred responsibilities previously assigned to AQSIQ (and provincial CIQs) to the General Administration of Customs. This reform will cover the following three areas:

1. Merging filing procedures

• Filing for self-customs inspection enterprise and customs clearance consignor/consignee will be merged into Customs import-export consignor/consignee filing;

• Filing for customs inspection agency and customs clearance company will be merged into enterprise registration for customs declaration;

• Filing for customs inspection personnel and customs declaration personnel will be merged into custom clearance staff filing.

2. New approach to company registration and filing

Since April 20th, 2018, applicants will obtain the qualifications for customs declaration and inspection right when starting registration or filing procedure.

All companies looking to register or file information can do so by clicking on the "Enterprise Qualifications" section of "China Single Window for International Trade"  and submit the application to the customs. After the submission, all materials and personal info have to be sent to the Customs, either in written or digital form.

Following steps include submitting application materials, customs inspection and issuing of certificate. Results of the audit will also be communicated through the "single window".

The "entry-exit CIQ inspection form” will still be valid  until April 20^th, 2018.

3. Companies that have already undergone registration or filing

For enterprises that have previously registered with the customs and CIQ, their qualifications still remain valid.

For those who only obtained one qualification from either authority, they can supplement documents through the online single window to apply for dual qualification from 1^st of June 2018 onwards.

All enterprises still not qualified for customs declaration or inspection that need to apply before June 1st 2018 can do it following the former rules. China CAG provisions will enter into force on April 20th and local Customs like the Shanghai one are already implementing them.

*According to Chinese State council reform plan, 8 governmental branches at ministry level and 7 at the vice-ministry level will be eliminated. Click here for a detailed report on the reform.