China to Promote Foreign Trade E-commerce

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) is drafting policies which will create a "green pathway" for the customs clearance, tax rebate, financing, and inspection of foreign trade done through e-commerce platforms, the reporter learned from an authoritative source. The State Council is coordinating the MOFCOM and other authorities, including customs, tax, foreign exchange, and inspection. The policies may be effective later this year.
Earlier this year MOFCOM intensified its surveys on foreign trade e-commerce platforms. The Department of Foreign Trade also, for the first time, became part of the policy-making process in relation to e-commerce. A circular previously released by the MOFCOM has decided to provide policy support for the foreign trade conducted through e-commerce platforms, and to offer funding to major companies.

According to analysts, given the downturn of foreign trade in the first half, e-commerce can help simplify the process, provide an alternative way of marketing, and therefore create a new point of growth.
During the interview, Nie Linhai, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Trade said the policies will focus on providing convenient customs clearance, which involves many problems such as customs declaration, foreign exchange settlement, tax rebate, and inspection. He revealed tat the General Administration of Customs will offer a "green pathway" to foreign trade e-commerce platforms.