China's ports to see more efficient customs clearance

The General Administration of Customs is planning to make one-stop service a reality in all ports nationwide by the end of this year, a move to further simplify customs clearance procedures, said the administration's vice-minister on Friday.

The new service to facilitate China's foreign trade, so called "Single Window", aims to help efficiency in customs clearance and in turn save enterprises time, Zou Zhiwu said at a press conference.

Companies are able to provide materials required by all port authorities in a single submission, and the information is then distributed automatically to related governmental bodies, Zou elaborated.

"By the end of this year, a new version of the system will run at all ports across the country," said Zou, adding that so far 17 provinces and cities have the system in place.

At the same time, GAC is preparing a platform to share declaration data, monitor the logistics process and collect companies' credit status.

Zou said local customs offices ought to enact monitoring reforms, which could avoid repetition of checks and uncontrolled fieldwork.

In June 2016, GAC launched a pilot project to enhance the reform of customs clearance. The reform was to help stabilize and improve the country's foreign trade environment through improving customs clearance efficiency, shortening operation time and reducing clearance costs, according to Zou.