In an effort to optimize customs clearance and enhance regulatory efficiency, authorities have issued new guidelines to resolve bottlenecks for imported goods, particularly agricultural products and fresh food.
Immediate market regulation measures:
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Flexible inspection methods: To address congestion at border gates, regulators now allow a shift from “standard inspection” to “reduced inspection” for qualifying shipments, significantly shortening storage time.
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Expanding the testing network: Businesses can submit samples to 34 state-designated testing facilities nationwide. Coordination between central institutes and qualified private laboratories has been strengthened to accelerate results and minimize warehouse costs for enterprises.
Decentralization roadmap and transition period:
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Pre-April 1st Phase: Units designated under previous regulations will continue to operate to ensure the continuous flow of goods. Local authorities are focusing on assessing their capacity and preparing implementation plans.
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Post-April 1st Phase: The state inspection of imported food will be formally decentralized to local levels. Local regulatory bodies (assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development or Provincial People’s Committees) will become the primary entities responsible for inspections.
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Transition mechanism: Products previously under “self-declaration” have a 12-month grace period to comply with new regulations, while those with “registered declarations” are granted up to 24 months. During this transition, existing documents remain legally valid for customs clearance.
These reforms aim to alleviate the administrative burden on businesses at border crossings while establishing a more proactive role for local governments in monitoring the quality of imported commodities.