China Customs updates procedures for dual-use export control reviews
2025-06-18 16:56:57 [Print]
On June 16, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) issued new guidelines to improve the review process for potential export control issues involving dual-use items.
Under the updated rules, if an exporter cannot provide the required license and the customs suspects the goods may fall under export controls, the customs will issue a "Dual-Use Export Control Inquiry Notice". The exporter must respond within seven working days with stamped documents, including a hard-copy customs declaration, export contract, product specifications and usage, explanation of why the goods are not controlled, test reports, and Chinese translations for any foreign-language documents.
Customs will then review the materials and take one of three actions: If a license is not needed, the exporter can continue with clearance; if a license is required, the goods will not be cleared by customs; if the classification is unclear, the customs will refer the case to the relevant authority for a determination and act based on the result.
During the inquiry or evaluation process, the goods will not be cleared for export.
Under the updated rules, if an exporter cannot provide the required license and the customs suspects the goods may fall under export controls, the customs will issue a "Dual-Use Export Control Inquiry Notice". The exporter must respond within seven working days with stamped documents, including a hard-copy customs declaration, export contract, product specifications and usage, explanation of why the goods are not controlled, test reports, and Chinese translations for any foreign-language documents.
Customs will then review the materials and take one of three actions: If a license is not needed, the exporter can continue with clearance; if a license is required, the goods will not be cleared by customs; if the classification is unclear, the customs will refer the case to the relevant authority for a determination and act based on the result.
During the inquiry or evaluation process, the goods will not be cleared for export.
