To further improve port supervision efficiency, optimize the business environment, and support foreign trade development, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has announced further improvements to the phased access supervision model for imported goods.
According to the announcement, imported goods may be released from the customs supervision area at the port of entry upon customs notification under the following circumstances:
Imported goods can be released if they meet one of the following conditions:
(1) No customs inspection requirements are applicable.
(2) Only port inspection is required and the inspection has been completed. For goods requiring inspection transfer due to limited inspection facilities at the port, importers or their agents may apply for inspection at designated locations with appropriate conditions.
(3) Only destination inspection requirements apply.
(4) Both port inspection and destination inspection are required, but port inspection has been completed, or the goods are included in the combined inspection list and the required inspections have been completed at the port of entry.
(5) Goods subject to conditional release requirements may be released if sampling has been completed, no abnormal findings have been identified in other inspection procedures, and the importer submits an application and commitment that the goods will not be sold or used before receiving qualified test results.
After goods are released from the customs supervision area, they may be sold or used after receiving customs clearance approval. However, goods requiring destination inspection, regulatory certificates, or conformity assessment must complete relevant customs procedures before entering commercial circulation.
The lists of goods subject to inspection transfer, combined inspection, and conditional release will be dynamically adjusted by China Customs based on risk assessments and published through the China International Trade Single Window system.
Importers or their agents may submit applications for inspection transfer, combined inspection, or conditional release through the China International Trade Single Window during the declaration process. Applicants must also provide compliance commitments and cooperate with customs supervision requirements.
For goods requiring destination inspection, importers must apply for relevant inspection procedures with the destination customs authority after the goods arrive at the declared destination.
If enterprises sell or use conditionally released goods before receiving qualified inspection results in violation of regulations, customs authorities may impose penalties according to applicable laws. Such enterprises may also lose eligibility for conditional release procedures for a certain period.
Enterprises classified as untrustworthy by customs authorities or relevant government departments are not eligible to apply conditional release procedures.
Importers or their agents must maintain proper management records for conditionally released goods, including records of sales and usage.
The announcement specifies that port inspections are conducted by customs authorities at the entry port, while destination inspections are carried out by the customs authority at the declared destination.
The new measures took effect on April 8, 2025. Previous regulations under GACC Announcement No.160 of 2019 regarding phased access supervision and accelerated customs clearance have been replaced.
General Administration of Customs of China
March 26, 2025
