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Guangzhou implements a convenient plan for free customs clearance of trade in the Greater Bay Area

  • In order to implement the important deployment of “Promotion of Trade Liberalization” in the “Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area”, strengthen the overall coordination of trade liberalization and customs clearance facilitation, and recently reviewed and approved the “Guangzhou City Promoting the Implementation of a convenient plan for free customs clearance of trade in the Greater Bay Area (Guangzhou Bay Area [2021] No. 2) Promote high-level interconnection among the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and facilitate the efficient and convenient flow of various resource elements to achieve trade liberalization and facilitation of customs clearance. Related content includes:
  • Build an institutional framework that is in line with the prevailing rules of international investment and trade, and focus on promoting the unification of the entire chain of rules and standards in the Greater Bay Area, including enterprise qualification certification, transportation and storage, R&D, and manufacturing, credit management, and business environment assessment indicators at the operational level.Promote the realization of unified logistics rules, management standards, and data formats in the Greater Bay Area, and build a free trade channel between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
  • Leverage the advantages of Hong Kong as a free port and Macao as a service platform for business cooperation in Portuguese-speaking countries, set up stores in Hong Kong and Macao, and set up warehouses in Guangdong, optimize cross-border fast customs clearance, and promote cross-border trade “front store and back warehouse” cooperative operations.Promote the construction of smart ports, use mobile Internet, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, block chain and other technologies to integrate with port business, promote the electronic circulation of port and shipping logistics documents, promote the sharing of data between ports and customs, and speed up port operations speed of clearance.Promote the gradual expansion of the 24-hour smart customs clearance model at maritime ports to the qualified ports in Guangzhou, and the ports in the Greater Bay Area will be cleared and opened around the clock. Optimize and improve the timeliness of customs clearance system at ports. Promote the facilitation of the drug import business, and optimize the drug regulatory approval procedures for the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone.
  • Improve the facilitation of the use of Mainland Passes for Hong Kong and Macao residents through electronic and informatization. The study provides more convenient endorsement arrangements for qualified personnel to go to Hong Kong and Macau for business, scientific research, and professional services.Promote the development of service trade and enhance the level of customs clearance of goods and articles related to trade in services, such as international exhibition exhibits, medical inspections, and biological materials.
  • Support cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao financial institutions to develop offshore financial services in accordance with regulations. Explore the establishment of an international commercial bank in the Greater Bay Area in the Nansha area of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone to serve the construction and development of the Greater Bay Area. Explore the establishment of an account management system that is compatible with the development of the Greater Bay Area,and take the lead in cross-border fund management, cross-border use of RMB, and capital account convertibility to promote cross-border trade, investment and financing settlement facilitation.
  • Coordinate and support the Guangdong Branch of the Export-Import Bank of China to introduce low-cost special funds, cooperate with commercial banks to support financing for small, medium and micro enterprises, and to develop direct loans to foreign trade small, medium and micro-enterprises.
  • For foods produced in Hong Kong and Macau that meet the “CEPA Standards for Certification of Origin”, an innovative inspection and supervision model has been established, and official certificates, certificates of origin and other qualified certification materials issued or recognized by the competent authorities of Hong Kong and Macau governments are included in the customs conformity assessment system.