Guide for CIIE Exhibitors' Customs Clearance: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Q1: As a first-time overseas exhibitor, I'm not well-versed in customs policies. What steps should I take?

Answer: There's no need to worry. The General Administration of Customs has issued Announcement No. 78 of 2024, which includes detailed 'Customs Clearance Instructions for the 7th China International Import Expo 2024' and 'Facilitation Measures for Customs Support of the 7th CIIE 2024,' serving as a comprehensive guide for foreign participants.

Q2: Is it necessary to pay a customs bond for every customs declaration form?

Answer: No, you don't. Exhibition items temporarily imported for the CIIE can be cleared without individual bonds, thanks to a bank guarantee or customs bond insurance provided by the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Exhibitors or their designated logistics providers only need the 'Proof of Import Materials for the 7th CIIE 2024' and the 'Inventory of Import Materials for the 7th CIIE 2024' from this company.

Q3: Within what timeframe must goods imported under ATA Carnets for exhibition purposes be re-exported?

Answer: Since the inaugural CIIE in 2018, the deadline for re-exporting goods under ATA Carnets has been synchronized with the Carnet's validity period, establishing a consistent practice.

Q4: Are household appliances intended for both exhibition and sale required to adhere to China's CCC mandatory certification and energy efficiency labeling regulations?

Answer: Appliances solely displayed are exempt from CCC certification and energy label requirements. However, if intended for sale, they must undergo customs inspection and comply with China's technical standards, as per legal requirements.

Q5: At the CIIE venue, are exhibition items allowed for trial use, tasting, or distribution?

Answer: The National Exhibition and Convention Center requires exhibitors to report in writing to Shanghai Customs in advance about the expected consumption, specifying the usage methods (such as trial use, tasting, or distribution) and quantities (which should be reasonable and commensurate with the scale of the event). Exhibitors planning to use items for trial use, tasting, or distribution must provide compliance certificates, such as official certificates from their home country, third-party inspection reports, self-inspection reports by the exhibitors, or declarations of conformity. Following customs' approval, these activities can proceed.

Q6: Can exhibition items consumed at the CIIE site be exempt from taxes?

Answer: Customs will assess the quantity and total value of exhibition items imported for the CIIE. Small samples used in the exhibition (excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and fuel), materials consumed or damaged for demonstrating machines or devices, low-value goods used for temporary exhibit setup, promotional materials distributed free during the exhibition, and documents used for the exhibition, if deemed reasonable by customs, are exempt from tariffs, import value-added tax, and consumption tax according to relevant regulations.

Q7: How do travelers process customs clearance for exhibition items they bring into the country?

Answer: For exhibition items brought in by travelers, the National Exhibition and Convention Center or its designated main transport service provider should complete the import declaration and customs clearance procedures at the exhibition customs in advance. Moreover, items brought in by travelers must comply with the regulations of the 'List of Prohibited Items for Entry and Exit by Individuals and Postal Parcels in the People's Republic of China.'

Q8: Can imported exhibition items sold during the CIIE benefit from tax incentives?

Answer: To enhance the CIIE's impact, starting from the third CIIE, a tax incentive policy was implemented for the regular import of exhibition items sold during the event. According to the Notice of the Ministry of Finance, General Administration of Customs, and State Taxation Administration on Tax Preferences for Imported Exhibits Sold during the China International Import Expo (Circular No. 38 of 2020), exhibitors can enjoy tax benefits based on the types, sales volumes, or limits specified in the 'List of Exhibits Eligible for Tax Preferences at the China International Import Expo.' Any adjustments to the tax incentives for that year's CIIE will be subject to the latest policy announced by the Ministry of Finance.

Q9: Are plant and animal products, as well as food items that have not obtained quarantine entry permission, allowed to participate in the exhibition?

Answer: Products of plant and animal origin, as well as foodstuffs, that have not gained import inspection and quarantine approval but are from non-infected areas are permitted for exhibition entry. For those requiring quarantine approval, with the authorization of the General Administration of Customs, Shanghai Customs handles them through a special permit process.