Inner Mongolia issues document for cross-border trade facilitation

The People's Government of Inner Mongolia autonomous region recently issued a document on improving commercial environments at ports across the region with the aim of facilitating cross-border trade.

The document is a response to related guidelines issued by the State Council for the stable and sound development of foreign trade.

The document sets out ambitious goals. By the end of 2021, the single-window system will have been included in the whole chain of international trade regulations; and the clearance time will be half that in 2017. 

Single Window System is an important platform established to improve international trade facilitation. The system integrates matters involving customs, inspection, quarantine, and other supervisory and control services that have been previously completed across multiple platforms into a single window platform. It helps avoid the duplication of declaration information, further reducing costs and improving efficiency during the period of customs clearance.

By the end of 2020, the compliance costs for import-export containers will be half that of 2017. By the end of 2019, the inter-departmental cooperation mechanism for clearance will have been adopted in all ports in the region. In addition, through closely cooperating with counterpart ports in bordering countries to create a more inclusive and convenient commercial environment, the clearance period for time-sensitive commodities will be accelerated.

To achieve these targets, a series of measures which are listed in four parts will be carried out. First, the administrative approval process will be reformed and the procedures and formalities for applying for documents will be simplified. 

Second, clearance processes will be optimized. For example, the joint supervision between China and Mongolia customs will be deepened, and the scope of mutual recognition of goods between China and Russia customs will be expanded.

Third, better services will be offered through strengthening cooperation and exchanges. A 24-hour service will be provided to support the operation and development of China-Europe freight trains. Quick-clearance channels will be opened for agricultural products at Manzhouli (Inner Mongolia) and Zabaikalsk (Russia) highway ports and Ganqimaodu (Inner Mongolia) and Gashuun Sukhait (Mongolia) highway ports.

Fourth and not least, single-window systems for international trade will be established to improve the informatization of the work.

Visitors from Mongolia return to their own country via the Ereenhot Port in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Feb 20, 2019. [Photo/IC]

Government workers conduct customs clearance procedures for passengers at the Ereenhot Port, Feb 20, 2019. [Photo/IC]

A trunk is inspected before entering China from Mongolia at Ereenhot Port, Feb 20, 2019. [Photo/IC]

This English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version on nmg.gov.cn.