To ensure the success of the fourth China International Import Expo, the General Administration of Customs has outlined its initiatives for streamlining customs clearance and promoting trade facilitation. It recently released the Customs Clearance Notice for the Forth China International Import Expo of 2021 and Facilitation Measures of the Customs for the Forth China International Import Expo of 2021. Some facilitation measures releated to food are listed as follows:

VI. To Conduct Examination and Approval in the Nearest Customs for Better Facilitation.

For the inbound animals and plants and their products, food of animal and plant origin and the Chinese medical herbs that require administrative approval involving inspection and quarantine, Shanghai Customs and related Customs are authorized to handle the approval procedures in the nearest locality, and the relevant approvals shall be completed within three working days. In accordance with the principle of “facilitation and operability”, Shanghai Customs is entrusted to exercise the power of acceptance and examination on the overseas production enterprises of the imported aquatic products, dairy products and cubilose sold in the exhibition area, which are exempted from overseas on-site examination. After the examination, the General Administration of Customs issues temporary registration documents (temporary registration documents are only used in the exhibition area during the exhibition).

IX. To Promote Access Negotiations and Expand the Categories of Imported Exhibits.

Quarantine access negotiations with participating countries or regions will be promoted, with the progress of risk assessment sped up. Expand the categories of imported exhibits.

XI. To Simplify Inbound Procedures to Facilitate the Exhibition of Food and Cosmetics.

Pre-packaged food and cosmetics only for exhibition shall be exempted from labeling in Chinese and sampling inspection as well as verifying the record certificates of the consignees and consignors; those for trial in small amount and tasting can be assessed according to the food safety risk, and the samples can be taken for inspection before the exhibition and the Chinese label cannot be used; those for trial sale in small amount at the exhibition site can be exempted from labeling in Chinese.