China Lifts Ban on US. Poultry Imports 

On February 14, 2020, the General Administration of China Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a joint announcement that lifted bans on importation of poultry and poultry products originating from the U.S.. 

China imposed the ban on U.S. poultry imports since 2013 after an avian flu outbreak in the U.S.. 

China Customs Issues Measures to Facilitate Resumption of Production Affected By the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

On February 16, 2020, China Customs rolled out a series of measures to facilitate the resumption of production amid the country’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak. Key measures include: 

a.     Simplifying the customs registration and recordation process;

b.     Speeding up customs clearance of imported equipment and materials necessary for resumption of production; 

c.     Increasing the amount of registered foreign manufacturers of agricultural and food products, and expanding market access and speeding up the quarantine process for imported agricultural and food products; 

d.     Simplifying the import licensing process for special medical products used for the treatment, prevention and diagnose of the novel coronavirus such as vaccine, blood products and reagents;

e.     Simplifying the verification and cancellation process for processing trade businesses and reducing the frequency of on-site audit on qualified companies;  and 

f.      Simplifying the administrative penalty process for cases involving equipment and materials used for the prevention and containment of the novel coronavirus. 

China Allows Companies to Apply for Exclusion for Certain U.S. Products Purchased in Accordance with Market and Commercial Principles

On February 17, 2020, the Tariff Commission of the Chinese State Council issued an announcement that allows domestic companies to apply for exclusion for certain products purchased from the U.S. in accordance with market and commercial principles. 

The Tariff Commission issued a list of 696 products that are qualified for the exclusion from China’s retaliatory tariffs including without limitation agricultural, chemical, wood, metal, machinery and medical products.  Products not on the list might be added to the list if approved by the authorities.    

China will start to accept online exclusion applications as of March 2, 2020. Once approved, no additional tariffs would be imposed within one year from the date of approval as long as the amount of imported goods does not exceed the quota approved by the Tariff Commission.