Point-of-Origin Certification Simplified for Import Goods

A revision of the Regulations for Certifying the Origin of Import Goods, announced recently by the Ministry of Finance, will speed up point-of-origin certification and make the certification process more clear-cut, transparent, and predictable. In the future, when doubts occur about the origin of import goods the matter will be handled by the customs bureau at the place of import without needing certification by different levels of government. A new provision requires customs to complete the certification process within two months of the date of customs declaration. This simplification will reduce the cost burden on importers. Under current rules, customs authorities at the place of import first certify point of origin. If there are any doubts, they ask overseas offices for help in investigating the matter; should doubts still remain, a combined committee at the place of import handles the certification. If the committee is unable to do this, then the Point-of-Origin Certification Committee of the Directorate General of Customs is asked to take care of the matter together with scholars and experts. The certification process is so long that it sometimes has a heavy impact on the interests of the companies involved, and it needs to be simplified. As mentioned above, once the revised rules are implemented certification will be handled by customs at the point of import only. When doubts about the certification remain, the customs bureau will ask the importer, or other party responsible for paying the relevant taxes, to provide documents and samples proving point of origin; if this is not done within the designated time, the customs bureau can ask other agencies to assist with certification. If the other agencies are unable to provide clear documentary evidence within 20 days, the customs bureau will itself make the determination based on the information at hand.