01. Customs Releases Announcement on AEO Mutual Recognition between Chinese and Ugandan Customs
In May 2021, the customs of China and Uganda officially signed the Arrangement between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Tax Administration of the The Republic of Uganda on Mutual Recognition of the Enterprise Credit Management System of the Chinese Customs and the AEO System of the Ugandan Tax Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Mutual Recognition Arrangement), and decided to formally implement it from June 1, 2023.
According to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, China and Ukraine mutually recognize each other's "Authorized Economic Operator" (AEO) to provide customs clearance convenience for goods imported from the other AEO enterprise.
During the clearance of imported goods, the customs of China and Ukraine provide each other with the following facilitation measures for AEO enterprises:
● Applicable to lower document review rates;
Applicable to lower inspection rates;
Priority inspection shall be given to goods that require physical inspection;
Designate a customs liaison officer responsible for communicating and handling issues encountered by AEO enterprises during customs clearance;
Prioritize customs clearance after international trade is interrupted and resumed.
When Chinese AEO enterprises export goods to Uganda, they need to inform the Ugandan importer of the AEO code (AEOCN+10 digit enterprise code registered and filed with Chinese customs, such as AEOCN1234567890), which will be declared in accordance with Ugandan customs regulations. Ugandan customs will confirm the identity of Chinese AEO enterprises and provide relevant convenience measures.
02. China and the Philippines Mutual Implementation of RCEP Tariff Concessions
The State Council Tariff Commission recently announced that starting from June 2, 2023, the RCEP ASEAN member countries' applicable treaty tax rates will be applied to some imported goods originating in the Philippines, and subsequent annual tax rates will be implemented from January 1 of that year.
After the official entry into force of RCEP for the Philippines, in the field of goods trade, the Philippines has added zero tariff treatment to China's automobiles and parts, some plastic products, textiles and clothing, air conditioning and washing machines, etc. on the basis of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area. After a certain transitional period, the customs duties on the above-mentioned products will gradually be reduced from 3% -30% to zero.
After the RCEP came into effect for the Philippines, all 15 members completed the entry into force process and implemented tariff concessions with each other, entering a new stage of comprehensive implementation of the agreement.
03. Nigeria has raised import tariffs on multiple products
Nigeria, the larger economy in Africa, has passed the New Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) for 2023, which involve multiple import tariff adjustments and import ban list adjustments.
1. Imported vehicles
In 2023 and 2024, additional import regulation taxes will be imposed on motor vehicles, with a tax rate of 2% for vehicles ranging from 2000cc to 3999cc and 4% for vehicles ranging from 4000cc to above.
Vehicles below 2000cc, buses, electric vehicles, and locally produced vehicles are exempt from taxation. The new regulations will come into effect from June 1, 2023.
2. Alcoholic beverages
Starting from June 1, 2023, the additional consumption tax levied on alcoholic beverages, tobacco, wine, and spirits will increase by 20% to varying degrees based on the previously approved tax rates.
The consumption tax rate for non-alcoholic beverages remains at 10 naira per liter.
Before the introduction of the new tax rate, the government adopted an ad valorem tax rate on imported alcoholic beverages, collecting taxes or tariffs based on the estimated value of the goods or transactions involved.
3. Plastic products
Levy a "green tax" on disposable plastics (SUPs), including a 10% consumption tax on plastic containers, films, and bags.
Other plastic products, such as plastic sheets, sheets, films, foils and tapes, polymers, styrene, and photocopy paper (printed and non printed), have also been subject to import consumption tax increases.
04. Further expand the scope of cross-border transportation business for domestic trade goods in Jilin Province
Announcement No. 44 of the General Administration of Customs of 2023
In order to implement the strategic deployment of revitalizing the old industrial base in Northeast China and promote the use of overseas ports for cross-border transportation cooperation of domestic trade goods, the General Administration of Customs has decided to further expand the scope of cross-border transportation business of domestic trade goods in Jilin Province. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:
1、 Agree to add Vladivostok Port in Russia as a transit port for cross-border transportation of domestic trade goods on the basis of the original scope of cross-border transportation of domestic trade goods in Jilin Province, and add two ports, Zhoushan Yongzhou Container Terminal in Zhejiang Province and Jiaxing Zhapu Port, as entry ports for cross-border transportation of domestic trade goods.
2、 During cross-border transportation, transportation enterprises must take effective prevention and control measures to prevent animal and plant epidemics and the introduction of foreign species.
3、 Other matters shall be implemented in accordance with Announcement No. 42 of 2014 of the General Administration of Customs.
This announcement will be implemented from June 1, 2023.
05. Carry out the pilot reform of "two certificates in one" for the "Import Certificate of Goods (Automobile, Motorcycle)" and "Inspection Form for Imported Motor Vehicles"
In order to further optimize the business environment, improve the efficiency of customs clearance for imported motor vehicles, and promote the sustainable and healthy development of China's automotive industry, the General Administration of Customs has decided to carry out a pilot reform of the "Certificate of Import of Goods (Automobile, Motorcycle)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Certificate") and the "Inspection Form for Imported Motor Vehicles" (hereinafter referred to as the "Vehicle Form") in Shanghai Customs. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:
1、 For automobiles and motorcycles declared for import by Shanghai Customs, the "Certificate" and "Accompanying List" need to be issued separately in accordance with relevant regulations such as the Announcement No. 34 of 2015 of the General Administration of Customs (Announcement on Relevant Matters of the "Import Certificate of Goods") and the "Management Measures for Imported Automobile Inspection" (Announcement No. 1 of the former Entry Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, modified according to the Order No. 238 and 240 of the General Administration of Customs), After the import vehicles have completed the release procedures and passed the inspection, a "certificate" of "two certificates in one" will be issued on a pilot basis.
2、 The consignee shall apply to the customs for the issuance of a new version of the "Certificate" within three years after the imported automobiles and motorcycles are released and inspected as qualified.
3、 For imported non Chinese standard vehicles, the original sales destination country vehicle version and model (such as "original European regulations", "original American regulations", "original added regulations", "original Middle Eastern regulations", etc.) should be declared in the "specifications and models" of the customs declaration form.
4、 The consignee only needs to handle the issuance procedures for imported cars and motorcycles with the original "Certificate" or "Accompanying List" in accordance with the original management regulations.
5、 In case of any inconsistency between the Announcement No. 34 of 2015 of the General Administration of Customs and this Announcement, this Announcement shall prevail.
This announcement will be implemented from June 1, 2023.
06. Customs Industry Standard "Customs Statistical (Regional) Name Code"
Announcement No. 37 of the General Administration of Customs in 2023
According to the "Measures for the Administration of Customs Industry Standards of the People's Republic of China (Trial)" (promulgated by Order No. 140 of the General Administration of Customs and modified by Order No. 235 of the General Administration of Customs), the General Administration of Customs has issued the customs industry standard "Customs Statistical (Regional) Name Code" (HS/T 71-2023), which will be implemented from June 1, 2023.
The text of this standard can be accessed through the standards section of the China Technical Trade Measures website.
07. China Uganda Customs' Certified Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition
Announcement No. 45 of the General Administration of Customs in 2023
In May 2021, the customs of China and Uganda officially signed the Arrangement between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Tax Administration of the The Republic of Uganda on Mutual Recognition of the Enterprise Credit Management System of the Chinese Customs and the AEO System of the Ugandan Tax Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Mutual Recognition Arrangement), and decided to formally implement it from June 1, 2023. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:
1、 According to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, China and Ukraine mutually recognize each other's "Authorized Economic Operator" (AEO) to provide customs clearance convenience for goods imported from the other AEO enterprise. Among them, Ugandan customs recognize Chinese customs certified enterprises as mutually recognized AEO enterprises, while Chinese customs recognize enterprises certified under the Ugandan customs AEO system as mutually recognized AEO enterprises.
2、 During the clearance of imported goods, the customs of China and Ukraine provide each other with the following facilitation measures for AEO enterprises: applying a lower document review rate; Applicable to lower inspection rates; Priority inspection shall be given to goods that require physical inspection; Designate a customs liaison officer responsible for communicating and handling issues encountered by AEO enterprises during customs clearance; Priority will be given to customs clearance after international trade is interrupted and resumed.
3、 When Chinese AEO enterprises export goods to Uganda, they need to inform the Ugandan importer of the AEO code (AEOCN+10 digit enterprise code registered and filed with Chinese customs, such as AEOCN1234567890), which will be declared in accordance with Ugandan customs regulations. Ugandan customs will confirm the identity of Chinese AEO enterprises and provide relevant convenience measures.
4、 When Chinese enterprises import goods from AEO enterprises in Uganda, they need to fill in the Uganda AEO enterprise code in the "Overseas Shipper Code" column of the import declaration form and the "Shipper AEO Code" column of the water and air freight manifest. The filling method is: "Country Code (UG)+AEO Enterprise Code (10 digits)", such as "UG1234567890". Chinese customs confirms the identity of AEO enterprises in Uganda and provides relevant facilitation measures.
08. Customs Activate New Plant Quarantine Certificate
According to the International Standards for Plant Quarantine Measures, China Customs has updated the templates for plant quarantine certificates and plant transit quarantine certificates.
The new plant quarantine certificate and plant transit quarantine certificate will be used from June 1, 2023. During the transition period (before December 31, 2023), both the new certificate and the current certificate can be used.
09. Indonesia will implement a plan to ban the export of bauxite, cobalt, and tin
According to foreign media reports, the Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mines, Arifin Tasrif, stated in a previous interview that Indonesia will implement a plan to ban the export of bauxite, cobalt, and tin in June, as part of Indonesia's strategy to gain more economic benefits from its abundant natural resources.
Source: Souhang Network
