Two Laws on Frontier Health and Quarantine and Export Commodity Inspection are Amended

On April 27, 2018, at the second plenary session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee amendments were made to the “Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People’s Republic of China” and “Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection”, along with four other laws. The decision became effective on the same date as the announcement. The most important changes are summarized below:

• Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People’s Republic of China

1. The second paragraph of Article 2 is removed:

   Article 2: Frontier health and quarantine offices shall be set up at international seaports, airports and ports of entry at land frontiers and boundary rivers (hereinafter referred to as "frontier ports") of the People's Republic of China. These offices shall carry out the quarantining and monitoring of infectious diseases, and health inspection in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

   (Removed) Health administration departments under the State Council shall be in charge of frontier health and quarantine work throughout the country.

2. Article 27 is removed:

(Removed) Article 27: Health administration department under the State Council shall, in accordance with this Law, formulate rules for its implementation, which shall go into effect after being submitted to and approved by the State Council.

• Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection

1. The last sentence of Article 11 is removed:

   Article 11: For import commodities which are subject to inspection by the commodity inspection authorities in accordance with this Law, the consignee must register them with the commodity inspection authorities located at the port of discharge or the station of arrival. (Removed) Import commodities which are included in the List of Commodities shall be checked and released by the Customs upon presentation of the seal of the commodity inspection authorities affixed to the Customs declaration.

2. The second paragraph of Article 15 is removed:

Article 15: For export commodities which are subject to inspection by the commodity inspection authorities in accordance with this Law, the consignor shall apply to the same authorities for inspection in the places and within the time limit specified by them. The commodity inspection authorities shall accomplish the procedures for inspection and issue a certificate without delaying the prescribed time for shipment.

(Removed) Export commodities which are included in the List of Commodities shall be checked and released by the Customs upon presentation of the inspection certificate or the paper for release issued by the commodity inspection authorities or the seal of the same authorities affixed to the Customs declaration.