Guide on Customs Clearance for Materials
for the 26th Summer Unversiade, Shenzhen
In accordance with relevant laws, regulations and rules, China Customs will provide comprehensive, quality services for the 26th Summer Universiade, Shenzhen, 2011 (hereinafter referred to as “Universiade”) and implement customs control on materials that are transported to and from China for the Games.
This Guide provides information about the completion of customs procedures and the collection of customs duties and import taxes by China Customs on the incoming and outgoing materials for the Games, the test events, and other activities during the Universiade and the preparatory period.
“During the Universiade and the preparatory period” refers to the period from August 11, 2010 to September 23, 2011.
In accordance with policies established by the State Council, the Executive Office of the Organizing Committee for the Universiade (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Office”) will collect information about categories and quantities of Universiade materials that are entitled to duty and/or tax exemption and submit this to relevant government authorities for review and approval. If such materials arrive at a Chinese port before government authorities have made a decision, China Customs will check and verify the Confirmation Letter of Materials Entering China for the Universiade Shenzhen 2011 (hereinafter referred to as “Confirmation Letter”; see Appendix 1 for details) issued by the Executive Office and provide customs clearance for the materials on the condition that a valid guarantee has been provided.
1. Temporary Entry of Materials
1) Materials carried by persons entering China
Competition equipment, medical devices and materials carried by Universiade participants must be declared to customs officials when entering/exiting China. To complete the customs procedures, the customs officers will examine the Confirmation Letter issued by the Executive Office, the letter of guarantee issued by a bank, and the Invoice and Packing list（see Appendix 2 for details. If these documents cannot be provided, other relevant legal documents of guarantee will be examined in accordance with current custom regulations. After the Universiade, all the equipment and devices must be re-exported out of China in a timely manner.
2) Materials entering Chinese territory through freight transport.
Competition equipment, medical devices, security equipment, communication equipment, television broadcasting and news reporting equipment, equipment and materials required for exhibitions and other articles entering the Chinese territory through freight transport must be declared to the customs officials at the time of entry and exit. Customs will verify the deposits，the Confirmation Letter，the letter of guarantee issued by a bank, and the Invoice and Packing list before customs clearance.
3) Professional media equipment of foreign journalists
For accredited foreign journalists (with the Letter of Invitation (see Appendix 3) to the media agency issued by the Executive Office of the OC for the Shenzhen Universiade and a valid entry visa) carrying professional media equipment: The equipment must be declared to Customs at entry and exit; customs officials will verify the Confirmation Letter, the letter of guarantee and the Invoice and Packing list before customs clearance.
For non-accredited foreign journalists carrying professional media equipment into China: The equipment must go through the customs clearance procedures in accordance with relevant provisions under bulletins (2008) No. 104, (2009) No. 19 and (2009) No. 31 published by the General Administration of Customs of China.
When these foreign journalists exit Chinese territory with the reporting equipment, they can get the deposits back, in accordance with to (2009) No.59 regulation published by the General Administration of Customs of China.
4) Validity Period of temporary entry
Upon the approval of Customs, the materials for temporary entry can be transported out of the Chinese territory within a half year after the initial date of entry. If it is truly necessary to extend the validity period of the temporary entry, the materials can be transported out of the Chinese territory within an extended period, after the Organizing Committee has obtained approval from Customs. However, all the materials must be transported out of Chinese territory no later than February 12, 2012.
5) Closing of temporary entry
Temporary entry materials used for the Universiade must be transported out of Chinese territory within the period specified by Customs. If such materials used for the Universiade are not transported out of Chinese territory within the given time, the necessary procedures must be followed, in accordance with relevant regulations.
Specifically, if such materials are damaged or lost, or lose the value for use on account of force majeure, the Customs will adopt appropriate procedures after verifying the evidence issued by relevant authorities.
2. Tariff-free Entry Materials
According to relevant laws, regulations and rules of the People's Republic of China, the following materials can enter Chinese territory without tariff：
1) Items for personal use
I. Carried personal items
I. Universiade participants can bring a certain number of items for personal use into Chinese territory. Customs will not collect any tariffs on personal articles within the specified quantity. If the articles exceed the scope of "personal use, reasonable quantity", Customs will apply customs clearance procedures in accordance with relevant regulations.
II. Personal items entering/exiting China through separate luggage consignment
Customs will not collect any tariffs on the personal items within the specified quantity of the Universiade participants entering Chinese territory through separate luggage consignment. If the items exceed the scope of "personal use, reasonable quantity", customs clearance procedures will be adopted, in accordance with relevant regulations.
III. Posted personal items
The limit on the value for each parcel posted from Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan Province is 800 yuan. If the items are from other countries or regions, the limit is 1,000 yuan. Customs will collect tariffs on personal items, but if the value is 50 yuan or less, customs will not collect any tariffs.
2) Donated materials
For the materials donated by foreign governments and international organizations to the Universiade, Customs will verify the Certificate for the Materials Donated by Foreign Governments and International Organizations and Imported in Line with International Treaties, and apply the tariff exemption procedures. All other donated materials will be handled in accordance with relevant regulations.
3) Exhibition items
For the following items entering the Chinese territory for exhibitions of the Universiade, Customs will determine the quantity and total value of these items according to the actual conditions, and exempt the value-added tax on import and consumption tax in accordance with relevant regulations.
1. Small samples used in exhibition activities (excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and fuels), including food or beverage samples imported in their original packages or made with bulk raw materials imported during the exhibitions.
Such small samples must comply with the following conditions:
i. They must be provided by exhibitors and distributed to visitors for use or consumption.
ii．They must have a low unit price and must serve as promotional samples.
iii．They are not suitable for commercial use. The samples must have a unit capacity that is obviously smaller than the volume of the minimum retail package.
iv． Food and beverage samples are not distributed with items specified in the No. 3 above, but the items are consumed at the activities.
2. Materials consumed or damaged to demonstrate the operation of the machines or devices being exhibited.
3. Low-value goods consumed in the set-up or decoration of temporary booths.
4. Relevant promotional items distributed to the visitors during the exhibitions.
V. Archives, forms and other documents used for the exhibitions.
If the quantity of the incoming exhibition items listed in Section 1 exceeds the prescribed limit, duties and/or taxes will be levied on the excess amount, in accordance with the law. If exhibition items listed in Section 2, 3 and 4 are not used or consumed, they must be re-exported out of the Chinese mainland. Otherwise, import procedures must be completed in accordance with relevant regulations.
In accordance with relevant regulations, required duties and/or taxes must be paid for all other incoming materials that are not entitled to duty and/or tax exemptions.
3. Leased Goods
For Universiade materials that are imported on lease, China Customs will complete customs clearance in accordance with regulations regarding the import of general leased goods.
4. Entry/Exit Items Requiring Special Approval According to Chinese Laws
The entry/exit of Universiade items/materials in the following categories require special approval in accordance with Chinese laws and certificates issued by the relevant state authorities:
1） Animals and Plants and Their Products
The Entry/exit of animals, plants and their products must abide by Chinese laws and regulations on the quarantine of animals, plants and their products. Customs will verify the permits issued by the relevant state authorities for customs clearance.
2） Wild Fauna and Flora
The import/export (entry/exit) of wild fauna and flora must abide by Chinese laws and regulations on the protection of wild fauna and flora. The export of protected wild fauna and flora or their products, or the import/export of wild fauna and flora and their products restricted by international conventions to which China is a party, must be approved by authority for wild fauna and flora of the State Council, and requires the import/export permit issued by Chinese national authority for import and export of endangered species. Customs will verify permits issued by the relevant state authorities for customs clearance.
3）Pharmaceutical Products
The entry of pharmaceutical products must abide by Chinese laws and regulations on the administration of medications. Entry of medication requires an application to related departments for the necessary permits and certificates. Customs will verify the relevant permits for customs clearance.
4）Sporting Firearms and Ammunition for Competition Use
The entry/exit of sporting firearms and ammunition used during the Universiade must abide by existing Chinese laws and regulations on the administration of sporting firearms and ammunition. All entry/exit of sporting firearms and ammunition must be approved by Chinese public security authorities. Customs will verify certificates issued by Chinese public security authorities for customs clearance.
During the transport of sporting firearms and ammunition, sporting firearms must be separated from the ammunition and from people. Those involved must abide by the regulations on sporting firearms and ammunition.
The sporting firearms and unused ammunition must be removed from China after the Games.
5） Radio Transmission Equipment
The entry of Radio Transmission Equipment must abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Customs will verify the approval documents issued by the competent national authority for customs clearance.
6） Satellite Television/Broadcast Receivers
The entry of satellite television/broadcast receivers must abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Customs will verify the approval documents issued by the competent national authority for customs clearance.
7）Wooden Packaging Materials
The entry of wooden packaging materials must abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Customs will verify the approval documents issued by the competent national authority for customs clearance.
8）Foreign Vehicles
The entry of foreign vehicles must abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations. Customs will verify the approval documents issued by the competent national authority for customs clearance.
9） Other
Other Universiade materials/items subject to special approval must abide by relevant Chinese laws and regulations.
5. Prohibited Items That Cannot be Brought into China
1) Opium; heroin; morphine; cannabis and other narcotic drugs; and psychoactive drugs that might be addictive;
The approval of relevant authorities is required before products for medical use can be brought into China for special purposes.
2) All kinds of weapons, simulated weapons, ammunition and explosives (except sporting firearms and ammunition used during the Games);
3) Animals, plants and their products that might carry hazardous bacteria, insects or other vermin;
4) Printed matter, films, pictures, records, movies, cassette tapes, video tapes, laser video discs, computer storage discs and other articles that might harm China politically, economically, culturally or morally;
5）All kinds of poison;
6）Foods, drugs or other articles that might harm the health of humans or animals; that originate in affected areas; or might transmit disease.
7）Forged currencies and negotiable securities;
Other cargo and products prohibited by Chinese laws and regulations.
6. Other
1) Recommended Ports of Entry
The Executive Office recommends the following ports for the entry and exit of Universiade materials:
1. Airports: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Urumuqi, and Gongbei
2. Seaports: Yantian and Fuyong in Shenzhen; Huangpu, Nansha Port and Gongbei in Guangzhou
3. Overland Ports: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Gongbei.
2) Lists of the Materials Must Be Submitted in Advance
To facilitate customs clearance, lists of the materials that will be carried or transported into the Chinese mainland by participating delegations must be submitted to the Executive Office or an agency designated by the Executive Office at least three months before the arrival of the materials..
3) Customs Clearance
I. Passengers
FISU/IOC officials and foreign government officials who hold diplomatic or courtesy visas, will enjoy exemption from customs inspection at entry and exit. Other Universiade participants must declare to China Customs what they are carrying and go through customs inspection. The Entry/Exit Facilitation Certificate (see Appendix 4 for a sample) issued by the Executive Office will facilitate customs clearance. Persons with this certificate will have access to fast-track clearance at the ports where special entry/exit channels have been established for Universiade participants.
II. Unaccompanied Luggage
For personal items transported to China as unaccompanied luggage: The Universiade participants or their agents must declare the goods in writing at the time of entry and complete customs clearance formalities, using a valid ID, relevant documents, a list of the items, etc.
To transport unaccompanied luggage outside the Chinese mainland, participants must apply with a valid exit certificate at the place of exit by themselves or through their agents. Customs clearance procedures will be completed in accordance with relevant regulations.
III. Customs Clearance of Universiade Materials
Materials for the Universiade can be sealed at the departure port and inspected on-site at the destination.
4) General Guarantee for Universiade Materials
If a guarantee is required for Universiade materials entering or exiting China, the Executive Office will provide a general guarantee or security deposit for the customs duties and taxes. If there is no need to provide the guarantee for duties and taxes, China Customs will complete the procedures in accordance with the regulations.