In accordance with the State Council’s deployment for facilitating customs clearance and improving port business environment, the GACC recently launched a pilot reform called “two-step declaration” for import goods, with the pilot measures already taken by Hangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Huangpu and Shenzhen Customs Districts in succession. 

In the mode of “two-step declaration”, importers don’t have to submit all declaration documents one-off and can finish their declaration process in two steps (not twice): first, make a summary declaration and take delivery of goods by only submitting the bill of lading; second, submit all other information documents and make duty payment as required within 14 days after declared entry of transport means. Thus, the two-step mode helps reduce import demurrage and improve clearance efficiency.  

The “two-step declaration” mode got its first tryout in China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) on August 23, involving an import consignment of frozen skipjack tuna into Zhoushan Port. Allegedly, the importer took only 1.28 minutes, instead of 4 hours as before, to go through the formalities from customs declaration till goods pickup.

The “two-step declaration” not only allows importers to immediately take goods on entry if the goods are not subject to customs inspection, but also enhances declaration accuracy because importers have more time to confirm goods information, greatly minimizing errors and omissions in declaration.

Besides, through the “two-step declaration”, Customs authority can integrate clearance facilitation measures including advance declaration and lump-sum taxation, as well as improve such management systems as on declaration modification and cancellation. Meanwhile, the mode of “single declaration” is still retained for enterprises to choose.