China Customs Releases More Port Measures for Customs Clearance During Coronavirus Pandemic

China’s General Administration of Customs released a list of measures for increasing restrictions and streamlining port procedures during the coronavirus disease COVID-19 outbreak, including increased “interception and crackdown” on “unqualified anti-epidemic materials,” according to an unofficial translation of a March 19 notice. China said it has destroyed or returned more than 300,000 imports of “unqualified” protective equipment and stressed that the country needs to import “immunized materials” for domestic production of the equipment. As part of the measures, China is establishing “green channels” for agricultural products and other food imports at “key ports,” 24-hour advance clearance for certain imports and priority inspections. The measures will “simplify customs clearance procedures and reduce customs clearance costs throughout the process,” China said, which includes payment deferrals for certain taxes and reduced late payment fees for money owed to China’s GAC. China previously announced reduced penalties for delayed import declarations and other measures to ease customs procedures (see 2003120019 and 2002250031).