China Imposes Measures to Better Supervise Goods in Transit
China's General Administration of Customs in a Sept. 26 notice laid out steps it would take to strengthen its customs supervision and boost trade facilitation for "transit goods," according to an unofficial translation. Transit goods refer to goods shipped from overseas that continue to be shipped to a different country via land routes in China.
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Taking effect Nov. 1, the measures include banning the transit of goods coming from countries or regions where trade is suspended or barred; weapons, ammunition, explosives and munitions, save those coming from military channels; poisons, narcotics, opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine and other drugs; hazardous waste; special items such as microorganisms and human tissue; invasive alien spieces; ivory and other endangered animals and their parts, with exceptions; and other goods whose transit is barred by Chinese regulations.
Transit goods that do not have Customs' approval will not be opened, modified or shipped for other uses or otherwise disposed of without Customs' approval, the regulations said. Further, transit goods will be shipped according to the route prescribed by the relevant transportation department from time of entry to exit from the country. Transit animals and other goods dubbed high biosecurity risks will enter from designated ports. Individuals in charge of transporting the relevant goods must now submit a declaration form for the transport of the goods. Customs can also impose seals on domestic transport vehicles or containers carrying goods in transit that no one may open without authorization.