FTA case collection initiative promotes Xiamen foreign trade

Xiamen Customs and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Xiamen Committee (Xiamen CCPIT) jointly launched the "Top 10 Cases of Utilizing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Rules of Origin in Xiamen 2025" collection initiative, alongside an event to interpret FTA policies on March 11.

The iniative seeks to help enterprises better understand and apply FTAs rules of origin, enabling them to take full advantage of tariff concessions, optimize supply chain layouts, and enhance product competitiveness.

Spanning three months, the case collection initiative will include open case submissions, preliminary review, expert evaluation, online voting, and final announcement. Its aim is to establish benchmark cases for FTA rules of utilization, providing enterprises with replicable and scalable models for success.

Rules of origin play a crucial role in the operation of FTAs, serving to protect industries within the free trade zone, attract foreign investment, and introduce advanced technologies. 

According to statistics, in 2024 Xiamen Customs and the Xiamen CCPIT issued 148,200 certificates of origin under FTAs, marking a year-on-year increase of 13 percent. These certificates covered export volumes amounting to 50.98 billion yuan ($7.04 billion), helping enterprises save nearly 2.6 billion yuan in tariffs imposed by importing countries.