Customs declaration, invoicing, random inspection, customs clearance… Starting from June, a batch of new foreign trade regulations have been officially implemented.
Are these new regulations a tightrope or an accelerator?
Understand these five items to make your goods move more steadily, faster and more worry-free.
Attention foreign trade people!
Starting from June 1st, a series of new regulations from customs, taxation and other departments will come into effect simultaneously, affecting your daily operations in all aspects, from commodity quality, bill compliance to customs clearance convenience.
There are two core points: stricter supervision for those who do not comply with regulations; and faster customs clearance for those who abide by the rules.
01 Sampling inspection upgrade: These commodities are “targeted” by the customs
From now on, the customs will launch annual regular spot inspections of commodities other than statutory inspections.
This means that more goods may be subject to random “physical inspections” when entering and exiting customs.
- Export focus: baby products, low-voltage electrical appliances.
The goods must pass the sampling at the production factory or warehouse before they can be declared for customs and shipped. - New import categories: food contact products, daily accessories, adult footwear, and consumer electronics.
Goods can be declared first based on the commitment, but the customs reserves the right to conduct random inspections after arrival.
Once it fails, it will be returned or rectified.
Tips for you: Check whether your product is on the list, prepare a quality inspection report in advance, and don’t leave anything to chance.
02 New invoice regulations: If the remarks column is filled in incorrectly, the tax refund will be “stuck”
Starting from June 1, the remarks specifications for export invoices will be unified across the country.
If the information is filled in incorrectly or missing, the tax refund application will be directly rejected, and it may also trigger a tax audit.
- 5 required items: The remarks column of all 0 tax rate invoices must be filled in: business type, contract number, trade method, foreign currency amount, exchange rate (accurate to 4 decimal places).
- Supplementary information:
- General trade: fill in the customs declaration number and bill of lading number.
- Incoming material processing: Additional remarks manual number.
- Processing with supplied materials: Only processing fees can be charged on invoices, and the amount of raw materials is strictly prohibited.
Tips for you: Update your invoicing system template immediately and train financial staff to ensure that every ticket is compliant.
03
Imported food: Registration requirements for overseas manufacturers are stricter
For 20 categories of high-risk foods such as meat, aquatic products, dairy products, and bird’s nests, the registration management of overseas production companies in China has been upgraded.
- The validity period is unified for 5 years: registration is not once and for all.
- Meat and bird’s nest need to be reviewed in advance: automatic extension is not supported and you must actively apply for review 6 months in advance.
- Cold storage is subject to supervision: Overseas cold storage storing animal-derived foods must also meet standards, otherwise the import qualification may be suspended.
Tips for you: Immediately check whether your imported food supplier is still on the Chinese registration list, pay attention to its registration validity period, and arrange renewal in advance.
04 Gold import and export: simplified procedures, benefiting compliant enterprises
The Central Bank and the General Administration of Customs jointly optimize the import and export management of gold and products, and the “non-one-batch, one-certificate” convenience measure has been expanded.
- The number of applicable ports has increased: from 10 to 15 (including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing and other hubs).
- License validity extension: from 6 months to 9 months.
- Cancel the upper limit for customs declaration batches: within the total amount, customs declaration can be flexibly divided into multiple batches.
Note: This policy is only available to compliant legal entities, and is not available to individuals and unlicensed companies.
Tips for you: If you are a compliant gold import and export company, you can use the new regulations to arrange logistics and funds more flexibly.
05 Mutual recognition of AEOs between China and Mongolia: a “fast pass” for certified enterprises
Starting from June 1, the mutual recognition arrangement for AEOs (certified business operators) between China and Mongolia has been officially implemented.
Advanced certification companies on both sides will enjoy real conveniences:
- Reduced inspection rate: It is expected to be reduced by 30%-50%.
- Priority customs clearance: goods are processed with priority.
- Simplify documents and provide dedicated liaison services.
Tips for you: If you have export business to Mongolia, actively apply to become a customs AEO advanced certification enterprise, which will greatly improve logistics efficiency, reduce comprehensive costs, and seize market opportunities.
The new regulations in June are a two-way street between “strict control” and “convenience.”
It puts forward higher requirements on the internal compliance capabilities of enterprises, and also opens the door for faster customs clearance for compliant enterprises.
