Detailed explanation of special customs supervision areas: functions, categories and management regulations
Special customs supervision areas refer to specific economic areas established with the approval of the State Council. Their main functions cover processing and manufacturing, international trade, logistics distribution, bonded warehousing, inspection and maintenance, R&D and design, product display and other fields. Such zones aim to promote economic development and improve the efficiency of foreign trade while ensuring national economic security.
Classification and integration
According to the “Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Issuing the Plan for Accelerating the Integration and Optimization of Special Customs Supervision Areas” (Guobanfa [2015] No. 66), my country’s current special customs supervision areas are divided into six categories: bonded areas, export processing zones, bonded logistics parks, cross-border industrial zones, bonded port areas and comprehensive bonded zones. Among them, the comprehensive bonded zone, as the latest form, is gradually becoming the main direction of future development. Its purpose is to integrate various types of original functions, policies and management models.
Permitted business scope in the comprehensive bonded zone
Enterprises in the Comprehensive Bonded Zone may carry out the following business activities in accordance with the law:
- R&D, processing, manufacturing, remanufacturing
- Inspection and maintenance
- Cargo storage
- Logistics Distribution
- Financial Leasing
- Product display
- International re-export trade
- International transfer
- Port operations
- Bonded delivery of futures
- Other businesses stipulated by the state
It is worth noting that any behavior that violates national laws and regulations is not allowed in the Comprehensive Bonded Zone, especially activities related to national security and social stability.
List of restricted items
In order to maintain national security and social order, the Comprehensive Bonded Zone has also imposed strict restrictions on entry and exit items. Restricted import items mainly include but are not limited to radio transceivers, tobacco and alcohol, endangered animals and plants, their seeds and breeding materials, etc.; while restricted export items cover gold, silver, precious metals and their products, national currency, foreign currency securities, etc. .
Introduction to bonded warehouse
Bonded warehouse is a special type of warehouse used to store goods that have not completed customs procedures. According to different objects of use, bonded warehouses can be divided into public, self-use and special-purpose types. Special-purpose bonded warehouses are further subdivided into liquid dangerous goods bonded warehouses, (processing trade) material preparation bonded warehouses, consignment maintenance bonded warehouses, etc. Compared with ordinary warehouses, the biggest feature of bonded warehouses is that they are subject to more stringent customs supervision. The entry and exit of goods must be approved by the customs and are limited to imported goods. Domestic goods are not allowed to enter.
The above information is compiled based on the latest policies and regulations. For specific operations, you must also refer to the “Customs Comprehensive Bonded Zone Management Measures of the People’s Republic of China” (General Administration of Customs Order No. 256) and other relevant documents.