| Intro | China combines a large-scale customs infrastructure (GACC + Single Window) with an accelerating export-control regime. The Export Control Law (2020) and Dual-Use Items Control Regulations (Dec 2024) create a MOFCOM-administered licence system covering rare earths, graphite, gallium, germanium and drones. The Unreliable Entity List (2020) and Anti-Foreign-Sanctions Law (2021) enable retaliatory blocking of entities. |
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| Primary authorities | - General Administration of Customs (GACC)Customs clearance, HS classification, inspection.
- MOFCOM (Ministry of Commerce)Trade policy, export controls, AD/CVD.
- SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange)Forex controls, cross-border settlement.
- SAMRProduct safety (CCC), anti-monopoly, consumer protection.
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| Licensing regimes | - Dual-Use Export LicenceItems on Dual-Use Items Export Control List (Dec 2024). · MOFCOM
- Import Licence (restricted)Automatic and non-automatic categories per Import Licence Catalogue. · MOFCOM
- CCC (China Compulsory Certification)132 product categories - electronics, autos, toys. · SAMR / CQC
- AQSIQ / GACC registrationForeign food and cosmetics manufacturers (Decree 248/249). · GACC
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| Prohibited goods | - · Solid waste imports (comprehensive ban since 2021).
- · Beef from BSE-history countries without specific protocol.
- · Used electronics classified as e-waste.
- · Publications and media contrary to CN law.
- · Certain plants/animals (CITES + national list).
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| Restricted goods | - · Rare earths (samarium, terbium, dysprosium, gadolinium, lutetium, yttrium, scandium) - MOFCOM export licence from Apr 2025.
- · Gallium, germanium, antimony, superhard materials - export licence.
- · Graphite - export licence Dec 2023 (spherical, high-purity forms).
- · Advanced drones & drone components - Sep 2023 controls.
- · Cross-border data transfer - CAC security assessment above thresholds.
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| Labelling requirements | - · Chinese-language labelling mandatory for retail food, cosmetics, pharma.
- · CCC mark for covered products.
- · Food: date of manufacture + shelf life + Chinese ingredients list per GB 7718-2011.
- · Cosmetics: NMPA registration/notification (Registration Regulation 2021).
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| Sanctions overlay | - · Unreliable Entity List (MOFCOM) - restricts trade with named foreign entities.
- · Anti-Foreign-Sanctions Law (2021) counter-measures list.
- · Export bans/quotas on strategic minerals in response to US/EU controls.
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| Dispute resolution | Customs disputes: administrative reconsideration → administrative litigation (Intermediate People's Court). Commercial disputes: CIETAC arbitration (dominant), SHIAC/SCIA regional. China acceded to NY Convention 1987 with commercial reservation. FTA disputes: RCEP dispute settlement, bilateral FTAs (China-ASEAN, China-Peru). |
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| Official sources | |
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