Half highway ports jointly supervised by China and Mongolia

Half of highway ports that operate all-year-round in Inner Mongolia autonomous region that border Mongolia have achieved joint supervision by the Customs authorities of China and Mongolia since the first work conference of China-Mongolia Customs joint supervision was held in 2006, according to Hohhot Customs’ report in August 2016.

Among China’s 12 highway ports to Mongolia, eight are in the autonomous region, reflecting the region’s significance for mutual cooperation in the sector. On Dec 15, 2009, the pilot joint supervision project was launched at China’s Ereenhot Port and Mongolia’s Zamen Ude Port. At present, five ports, such as Ceke Port, in the region have become involved in joint supervision.

In joint supervision, carriers only need to declare imports and exports with a cargo manifest which is recognized by both Customs of China and Mongolia. Such joint supervision not only enhances clearance efficiency but also avoids asymmetry in law enforcement.

According to Zhang Ran, a Hohhot Customs officer, joint supervision promotes mutual sharing of information, which helps to standardize border trade business and combat smuggling.

By the end of 2015, more than 95 percent of imports and exports through Hohhot Customs were done under the joint system.

A sample of a cargo manifest recognized by both Customs of China and Mongolia [Photo/chinanews.com]

A truck driver from Mongolia submits a cargo manifest to Customs in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/chinanews.com]