China News Service, July 29. Dang Yingjie, deputy director of the National Port Administration Office of the General Administration of Customs, said on the 29th that in the first half of this year, China's imports and exports to RCEP trading partners increased by 22.7% year-on-year.
The State Council Information Office held a regular policy briefing by the State Council on July 29, introducing the situation of further deepening cross-border trade facilitation reform and optimizing the port business environment, and answering reporters’ questions.
A reporter asked at the meeting: Given that the RCEP agreement promoted by all parties will take effect on January 1, 2022, what work has the General Administration of Customs done to welcome this upcoming agreement?
What kind of work arrangements are there for the next step?
Dang Yingjie said that in terms of trade volume, China's total import and export value to RCEP's other 14 trading partners will be 10.2 trillion yuan in 2020, accounting for 31.7% of China's total import and export value during the same period.
In the first half of this year, China's imports and exports to RCEP trading partners increased by 22.7% year-on-year.
After the RCEP is signed, the General Administration of Customs, based on its own responsibilities, plans in advance and earnestly prepares for the effective implementation of the RCEP related to customs provisions.
For example, with regard to the implementation of tariff concessions, the General Administration of Customs is studying and promulgating the “Measures for the Administration of the Origin of Imported and Exported Goods of RCEP” and the “Measures for the Administration of Approved Exporters”, sorting out the procedures for applying for preferential import and export visas under RCEP, and Build a supporting information system to ensure the convenience for enterprises to declare and enjoy benefits.
In addition, the customs is also conducting publicity, training and guidance to import and export enterprises to help enterprises learn to apply rules and fully enjoy tariff concessions.
In terms of customs protection of intellectual property rights, actively fulfill the obligations stipulated by RCEP, strengthen cooperation and coordination with RCEP regional customs, jointly improve the level of regional customs intellectual property protection, and maintain a good trade and business environment.
Dang Yingjie said that it can be expected that after the RCEP comes into effect, it will further promote the predictability, consistency and transparency of the application of customs laws and regulations between China and RCEP's other trading partners, and promote the mutual promotion of trade facilitation among member states. Coordinate and strengthen cooperation to make cross-border trade safer and more convenient.