10 departments jointly issued a document: further reducing import and export costs

Recently, the General Administration of Customs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration of Taxation and 10 other departments jointly issued the "Notice on Further Deepening Cross-Border Trade Facilitation Reform and Optimizing the Port Business Environment" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice").

The "Notice" proposes to further deepen the reform of cross-border trade facilitation, optimize the port business environment, and improve the level of cross-border trade facilitation.

In the "key tasks" section, the "Notice" mentioned that it is necessary to "further optimize the customs clearance mode for import and export goods. Integrate and simplify the declaration items of customs declaration forms. Support enterprises to independently choose the import and export declaration mode." "Support the construction of overseas warehouses and improve the export return policy of cross-border e-commerce."

The Notice also stated that the convenience of export tax rebates should be further improved. "The progress of export tax rebates will be continuously accelerated, and the average time for tax authorities to handle normal export tax rebates will be reduced to within 7 working days by the end of 2021, and further reduced to within 6 working days by the end of 2022." In addition, it is necessary to further reasonably adjust and streamline the regulatory documents for import and export links.

In terms of the costs at the import and export links, the "Notice" states that it is necessary to clean up and standardize charges and further reduce the costs at the import and export links.

Specific contents include: further standardizing port charges; revising the "Port Charge Calculation Method"; incorporating port facility security fees into the port operation lump sum fee, targeted reduction of coastal port pilotage fee standards, and studying and promoting cargo port fee reform; guiding shipping companies to standardize the adjustment of shipping fee structures, and strictly implement the filing system for freight rates and surcharges; urging port operating units to further clean up and streamline charging items, and clarify the names of charges and service contents.

It can be seen that in addition to reducing fees, the charging process and content have also become more standardized.

In terms of cross-border logistics (mainly sea transportation), which is of great concern to everyone, the Notice proposes to improve the international logistics supply capacity. Actively guide liner companies (shipping companies) to optimize and increase the supply of flights and ship capacity on Chinese port routes according to changes in shipping market demand, speed up the turnover efficiency of cross-border transport ships, and improve the international logistics container supply capacity and turnover efficiency. Promote hub container ports to carry out international container transshipment and consolidation business.

Judging from the content of the notice, the country's support for cross-border trade is still very strong. In addition to reducing import and export costs and simplifying declaration and supervision, there are also relevant measures for cross-border sellers' concerns about tight shipping capacity and overseas warehouse construction. The government has recently issued a series of relevant policies to support the development of cross-border trade, which is indeed a shot in the arm for the industry.

Cross-border trade

E-commerce

import and export