Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – According to Chengdu Customs on the 31st, since the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 2.0 upgraded protocol fully came into effect in October 2019, Chengdu Customs has actively guided enterprises to make good use of preferential rules of origin to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and expand diversified international markets. This has effectively helped Sichuan's specialty products such as chemicals, seasonings, and fruits to expand their exports. As the agreement with the most preferential treatment for Sichuan imports, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area has facilitated 30.34 billion yuan worth of imports from ASEAN countries, helping enterprises achieve import tax reductions of over 3.3 billion yuan.
On the export side, Customs has continuously strengthened international exchanges and cooperation, promoting the continuous expansion of ASEAN member states that can self-print certificates of origin. To date, self-printing of China-ASEAN certificates of origin for exports to Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam has been implemented. Chengdu Customs has deepened its reforms to streamline administration, delegate power, and improve services, continuously optimizing the business environment. It has actively promoted "intelligent review + self-service printing" of certificates of origin, achieving "paperless declaration" and "24/7" uninterrupted review. Businesses can obtain approval in seconds and print certificates anytime without leaving their offices. In the first 11 months of this year, the self-service printing rate of China-ASEAN certificates of origin issued by Chengdu Customs reached 94%, an increase of 9 percentage points compared to the previous year.
Longbai Sichuan Titanium Industry Co., Ltd., located in Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, produces titanium dioxide widely used in construction, home furnishings, plastics, and papermaking. Gao Chuanmei, a customs officer at the company, stated, "Currently, applying for certificates of origin at customs is very convenient. We only need to apply through the 'single window' in the office, and we can easily print the certificates. This year, we have applied for nearly 300 China-ASEAN certificates of origin, saving nearly 10,000 yuan annually in transportation and labor costs through self-service printing."
Regarding imports, Chengdu Customs has implemented a "guaranteed release" model for fresh goods such as fruits. Businesses can submit a declaration to postpone the submission of the original certificates and proceed with inspection and release. Meanwhile, a "green channel" for importing and exporting fresh agricultural products has been established at Chengdu Airport, providing 24/7 appointment-free customs clearance and "immediate inspection and release" services. For minor errors such as printing or typing mistakes on certificates of origin, or inconsistencies in non-critical information, the agreement tariff rate will still apply under certain conditions, facilitating enterprises to enjoy preferential policies.
To help import and export enterprises fully benefit from policy dividends, Chengdu Customs will continue to proactively connect with key foreign trade enterprises, conduct policy briefings on origin, and provide business guidance, helping "Made in Sichuan" exports accelerate and ensuring that import tariff reductions continuously benefit the consumer market. (End)
