On 16 December 2020, the Chinese Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs (MoARA) solicits opinion on draft measures for the import and export surveillance of pesticides, aimed to optimized administrative procedures and facilitate trade. The most remarkable change of this move is the paperless operation of customs clearance: once the pesticide exporter/importer obtained the electric import/export notice through the Chinese International Trade Single Window(Single Window), the customs will release the cargo without collecting paper documents.
MoARA and the Customs General Administration are responsible for the compilation and adjustment of the “Catalog of Pesticides subject to Import and Export Surveillance”. Pesticides to be imported/exported need to obtain pesticide registration and domestic enterprises engaged in the import/export need to obtain pesticide operation license and MoARA may verify the information before the electronic application depending on different circumstances. The draft measures specified the conditions, documents required and procedures for the electric application of import/export notice.
Condition | Documents and Procedures |
Importing from an overseas producer who has already obtained the registration |
Directly handled through the Single Window |
Importing from an overseas producer who has not yet obtain the registration |
Handled through the Single Window after MoARA verification |
Importing a pesticide for research and experiment purpose |
Handled through the Single Window after MoARA verification |
Exporting a homegrown pesticide by a domestic producer |
Directly handled through the Single Window |
Exporting a pesticide by a trading enterprise |
Handled through the Single Window after MoARA verification |
Exporting an OEM pesticide |
Handled through the Single Window after MoARA verification |
The importing/exporting of a pesticide registered under the export-only category, pesticide subject to the Rotterdam Convention and pesticide prohibited/restricted in China shall comply with relevant rules separately specified. The outbound flow from bonded area, export processing zones and special customs surveillance zone and the mobility among bonded area, export processing zones and special customs surveillance zone do not need an import/export notice. The import/export notices are issued on a “one notice on shipment” basis and each notice is valid for a maximum of 3 months, or until 31 December each year.
