National Immigration Administration (NIA) unveils 16 new measures to spur the development of shipping enterprises, as will be implemented from June 18 to further improve the business environment of ports and vitalize market entities. The measures are released to further implement the guiding principles of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee and contribute to establish a dual circulation development pattern in which domestic and foreign markets complement and reinforce one another, with the domestic market as the mainstay. As the result of the CPC party history learning and education activity and the practice of "Serving the people in a down-to-earth manner", issuance of the measures is also aligned to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council's requirements of pressing ahead with reforms to streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulation and upgrade services.

The 16 new measures mainly include: administrative permits of border inspection at the port can be processed in one place and available across the region; foreign vessels shifting berths among ports in China will be free from going through border inspection formalities; vessels engaged in international voyages that depart from domestic ports, fill bonded fuel oil without embarking or disembarking at anchor berths and exit directly are eligible for the streamlining of border inspection formalities; foreign vessels will enjoy convenience in terms of embarking or disembarking and attachment by other vessels during their maintenance in shipyards with good credit; dedicated channels for the Belt and Road Initiative will be set up at the border inspection sites at some land ports to make customs clearance easier for cross-border vehicles and drivers working for major projects and cooperation in the pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); Chinese cross-border freight vehicles and drivers do not need to fill in the inspection card for motor vehicle's entry-exit after filing records with border inspection authorities; the border inspection mode of "cooperative inspection, release after one check" at the land ports of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will be promoted; entry-exit customs clearance will be guaranteed for vessels engaged in international voyages 24/7 at Chinese ports; open "fast tracks" for the entry-exit inspection of commodities, fresh products, anti-pandemic supplies and people's daily necessities; open "emergency lanes" for emergency response personnel and cross-border emergency repair personnel in major projects; vessels engaged in international voyages are allowed to apply for and receive pre-inspection and obtain administrative permits of border inspection online; the filing procedures of fast customs clearance for cross-border vehicles and drivers in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are processed online; simplify the entry-exit procedures for employees of Chinese nationality engaged in cross-border transportation who often enter and exit from the same land port after filing with the border inspection authorities; establish a coordination mechanism between the border inspection authorities, ports and shipping companies and border (cross-border) economic zones to discuss and solve problems promptly; provide 24/7 consulting services on immigration management information in both Chinese and English to Chinese and foreigners through China Immigration Service Hotline.

On the basis of summarizing the achievements of pilot facilitation measures in the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and some land ports, NIA has innovated further and carried out these measures in additional ports across China. The 16 new measures, focusing on improving the working mechanism, refining management and service offerings and streamlining procedures, enable the border inspection permits to be processed online on a one-off basis through making appointments and filing records. As a result, the immigration administrative services can be provided in a more accessible manner, contributing to reducing unnecessary contacts, strengthening on-site regulatory measures, and further lowering the transmission risk of COVID-19 from imported cases.

After the measures are implemented, the number of administrative permits required by border inspection authorities can be reduced by 20%; every vessel engaged in international voyages can save an average of 1.5 hours in berthing at ports, further cutting the operating costs and increasing production efficiency for relevant shipping companies. At land ports, after filing records with border inspection authorities, more than 10% of the time needed for customs clearance can be saved for vehicles due to simplified formalities; the permit-renewing costs and time for Chinese drivers will be saved; land ports will play a more positive role in serving the Belt and Road Initiative, advancing coordinated development between different regions, and enhancing communication with neighboring countries by setting up dedicated channels and fast tracks.

NIA requires that all border inspection authorities shall intensify efforts to implement measures to prevent imported cases, take strict approaches in safety regulation and control and work with a focus on doing more practical work and solving tricky problems for market entities and the people, thus enhancing shipping enterprises' new competitive advantages, and continuously improving the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security for Chinese and foreign entry-exit personnel.

Notice: The English version is only for reference. To learn more, please refer to the authoritative Chinese version.