SCIO press conference on China Customs' efforts to safeguard borders, advance Chinese modernization
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 24, 2023
The Poster News APP:
Business entities are key to promoting the development of foreign trade. Last year, we saw the GACC roll out a raft of measures to improve the quality and stability of foreign trade and help enterprises tide over difficulties and reduce costs. What results have been achieved? Will the GACC launch more policies this year? Thank you.
Yu Jianhua:
Foreign trade has always been a great concern to all of us. The epidemic has directly impacted foreign trade. The GACC has frequently communicated with import and export enterprises, so we are well aware of the difficulties facing foreign trade enterprises. We have resolutely responded to the CPC Central Committee's call for assistance to enterprises. Last year, we released 23 support measures, which local customs authorities refined into over 1,300 detailed measures based on local conditions. It's fair to say that these policies have received massive support among business entities and achieved the desired results.
Regarding the smooth clearance, compared to other large trading countries, China's import and export of goods has not been hindered by the epidemic, and customs clearance has become even faster and more convenient. In December 2022, the overall customs clearance time for imports and exports across the country dropped 67% and 92%, respectively, from 2017.
In terms of reducing costs, we supported enterprises to enjoy various tax relief policies. Last year, total tax refunds and cuts for foreign trade companies were worth 285 billion yuan.
In terms of improving services, we implemented measures such as "delivering policy information to enterprises' doorsteps," adjusting the inspection and supervision mode for imported major commodities to "release before inspection ," and opening "green channels" for agricultural and food products. We also removed 87 commodity codes from the catalogue of import and export commodities subject to inspection and quarantine and optimized the business environment at ports.
Currently, we are evaluating 23 measures and will retain them as much as possible to ensure policy continuity. In addition, we will consider new policies and measures to address the pains, difficulties, and bottlenecks faced by companies. We will mainly focus on the following aspects:
First, we will facilitate the logistics of imports and exports. We will accelerate the development of smart customs and support the building of smart ports and intelligent borders. Through technological means, we will further improve the efficiency of cross-border logistics.
Second, we will improve the business environment at ports. We will push forward the building of a single-window platform to facilitate international trade, offering one-stop customs clearance services for companies.
Third, we will reduce enterprise costs. We will help enterprises to make full use of the tariff preferences in free trade agreements, such as the RCEP, and reduce the costs during import and export.
Fourth, we will foster new forms of business. We will innovate ways of customs supervision for cross-border e-commerce to ensure targeted supervision and faster customs clearance. We will support the development of new business formats such as market procurement trade and bonded maintenance service.
Next, we will conduct in-depth research and study and continue to provide the service of "delivering policy information to enterprises' doorsteps." We will step out of the office and go to enterprises, airports, and ports to find out their needs. We will work together with enterprises to tackle difficulties and challenges and spare no effort to promote the stable and high-quality development of foreign trade.
Thank you.
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