Announcement on Providing Pre

Announcement <2019> No. 172 of the General Administration of Customs

In order to improve trade safety and convenience, and enhance the predictability of enterprises for import and export trade activities, the General Administration of Customs has issued the Interim Measures of the Customs of the Peoples Republic of China for the Administration of Pre-ruling (Order No. 236 of the General Administration of Customs) (hereinafter referred to as the “the Administration of Pre-ruling”). In view of the needs of import and export enterprises to understand the classification of imported goods samples in advance, relevant matters regarding the pre-classification consulting services for samples of imported goods are announced as follows:

I. The applicant for pre-classification consulting services for samples of imported goods shall be the consignee of the imported goods.

II. Applicants who import the following goods samples may apply to the customs directly under the place where they intend to import goods for pre-classification consulting services:

1. Imported goods of which the safety quality pre-assessment has been completed through pre-shipment inspection and other means, that is, goods that hold the pre-shipment quality safety pre-assessment certificate;

2. Samples of the goods to be imported, that is, a small amount of the same goods imported by the enterprise in advance for legal inspection purposes before importing the goods in bulk.

III. Applicants who apply for the pre-classification consulting services of samples of imported goods shall submit the Application Form for Pre-classification Consulting Services for Samples of Imported Goods (refer to the attachment for details) through the Internet + Customs or Single Window, and submit relevant materials that meet the classification of goods samples and related certificates that prove compliance with the requirements of Article 2 of this Announcement.

IV. The customs shall issue a reply on the consulting result within 20 days after receiving the Application Form for Pre-classification Consulting Services for Samples of Imported Goods and related materials.

V. The results of pre-classification consulting services are for reference only. For applicants who need to determine the legally effective classification matters in advance, please go through corresponding formalities according to the Administration of Pre-ruling.

VI. In case of any changes in the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the Peoples Republic of China, the Explanatory Notes to Commodities and Their Headings in the Customs Import and Export Tariff, the Explanatory Notes to the National Subheadings of the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People’s Republic of China, commodity classification decisions or related regulations, the consulting result of the pre-classification of samples of imported goods becomes invalid at the same time. The applicant can submit the consultation application for the goods again.

VII. Applicants who need to apply for a preliminary ruling shall still follow relevant provisions of the Administration of Pre-ruling.

VIII. This Announcement shall be interpreted by the General Administration of Customs.

IX. This Announcement shall come into force as of December 20, 2019.

The Announcement is hereby given.

General Administration of Customs

November 6, 2019