The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) issued a notice on January 27, requesting Customs nationwide to be fully devoted to fast clearance of medical supplies for preventing and controlling the novel coronavirus-related pneumonia, in an effort to increase market supply and eventually win the battle against the epidemic.

According to the notice, the GACC and all Customs districts will set up ad hoc working groups to ensure fast clearance of relevant supplies. For imported pharmaceuticals, disinfection materials, protective equipment, medical equipment and other supplies for the purpose of epidemic prevention and control, including those imported through various means of transport, carried by inbound passengers or mailed through postal and courier services, local Customs should, based on the particular case, minimize the release time through such facilitative procedures as two-step declaration, advance declaration, combined declaration, release upon guarantee, among others. In emergency situations, such supplies can be released upon registration, before appropriate formalities are completed (including duty exemption formalities for donated materials).

The notice also requires all Customs districts to open exclusive service windows and green lanes 24/7 for the fast clearance of medical supplies. Local customs should expedite the clearance of such supplies by adopting flexible measures such as door-to-door inspection and transit between customs districts, etc., while preventing illegal activities that take advantage of the situation.

All Customs districts should optimize the procedures for control of postal and express items, items carried by inbound passengers as well as special items, and ensure effective control over imported medical equipment. Inbound passengers should be allowed to carry reasonable quantities of items for personal protective purposes. Postal and express items declared to be used for epidemic control and prevention should be prioritized on a case-by-case basis. Facilitative arrangements and one-on-one declaration instructions should be provided for inbound passengers carrying relevant medical supplies. Special items such as vaccines, blood products and reagents to be used to cure, prevent or diagnose the novel coronavirus-related pneumonia can be released if they are accompanied with certificates issued by competent authorities. Registration for overseas donated medical equipment is suspended. For donated medical equipment that hasn’t been registered in China, local Customs should provide it with fast clearance if there is a certificate issued by the local competent authority.

The notice underlines that all Customs districts should ensure that their hotlines work properly, and quality services and timely answers should be provided for the inquiring enterprises.  All Customs districts should strengthen communication with local governments to stay informed of latest changes in demand for medical supplies, and better help with epidemic control and prevention at the local level. All Customs districts are required to compile statistics regarding supplies for epidemic prevention and control, and have them reported in a timely manner.