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Import tariffs are applied to the CIF value as well as
a few specific and compound duties on the volume of imported goods; there are
also such tariffs as the Value Added Tax and the Consumption Tax. Non-tariff measures include: import
licenses, quota control, and a restricted import list. In general, tariff rates on raw materials
and industrial supplies are relatively low, usually less than 20%. Much higher rates are placed on consumer
goods, usually 20-50%. On rare
occasions this tariff has been known to go as high as 100% in selected luxury
items. Some selected countries have
concluded trade treaties or reciprocal favorable tariff agreements and get to
have a more preferential tariff duty than others. The Value Added Tax is
imposed on all commodities as well as import tariffs. The basic rates for food,
drinking water, natural gas, coal, gas, petroleum, books, newspapers,
magazines, feed for the animals, chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
agricultural machinery, and plastic sheeting for agricultural products seem
to range from 13 and 17%. A Consumption Tax ranging from 3 to 45% is imposed on
such items as: cigarettes, liquor, cosmetics, skin and hair care products,
jewelry, fireworks, petroleum, diesel oil, automobile tires, motorcycles,
scooters and small motor vehicles.
This tax is imposed on 20 commodities regardless of trade,
geographical location or entry of imports; these commodities are namely:
television sets, video cameras, video cassette recorders and players, hi-fi
systems, air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, cameras, copy machines,
program-controlled telephone switching, micro-computers, telephones, radio
pagers, fax machines, electronic calculators, typewriter and word-processors,
furniture, lighting fixtures, and foodstuffs. As for non-tariff measures, China has
introduced a licensing and quota system to control imports. Presently, 35 product categories
consisting of about 374 items are subject to Import Licensing Control. Chinese Importers are required to obtain
approval and licensing from the State Development Planning Commission,
MOFTEC, and the Mechanic and Electronic Products Import and Export Department
before importing. Some imports are
subject to both licensing and quota controls. Imports fall into two major categories: the first, 15 machinery
and electronic products; and the second, 13 general commodities. The enforcement agency for the quota
system is the State Development Planning Commission. It is their responsibility to place quotas
on general commodities whereas MOFTEC is responsible for placing quotas on the
import as well as the export of machinery and electronic products. Mandatory Inspection by the China Commodity Inspection
Bureau (CCIB) on twenty categories of import and 47 categories that are
subject to Safety Controls. Within
these categories, the CCIB forbids the import of commodities that are less
than the Chinese National Standards for these commodities. Import of wastes for dumping, stacking,
disposal or use for raw materials is strictly prohibited. Policies Regarding
Imports By Foreign-Invested Enterprises ·
Vehicles
and office supplies are subject to their relevant tariffs and regulations.
With the entrance of China into the
WTO, China will no longer be able to continue its practice of using tariffs
and non-tariffs to prevent foreign goods form entering its marketplace. China will begin to attach greater importance
to the use of anti-dumping measures permitted by the WTO as a practical means
of maintaining fair trade. It is not
to far into the foreseeable future that you will begin to see an increase in
the number of anti-dumping cases and that there will be an increase in the
legal issues relating to anti-dumping measures that will become increasingly
more complicated. In order to comply
with the provisions of the anti-dumping agreement of the WTO and to meet the needs
of China's anti-dumping efforts, China will have to begin developing and
improving its anti-dumping legislation and anti-dumping mechanisms. Office Hours (USA) Monday – Friday
(8 AM – 5 PM EST) Office Hours (CHINA) Monday
– Friday (8 AM – 5 PM Chinese Time) M. CRISPI INTERNATIONAL, LTD. P.O. DRAWER 804 E. SETAUKET, NY
11733-0614 TEL: (001-631)
246-9683 FAX: (001-631)
689-8606 Email: Info@M-Crispi.com |