The General Administration of Customs ("GAC") has recently issued the Announcement on Matters Concerning the Connection by Enterprises to the Unified Information System for Cross-border E-commerce (the "Announcement"), effective from June 30, 2018.
The Announcement expressly states that it is supported to launch the function of inputting lists into the unified information system for cross-border e-commerce retails. E-commerce enterprises or agents thereof may log into the integrated online service platform for "internet plus customs" and leverage the "cross-border e-commerce" function therein to make relevant operations, such as inputting, altering, submitting and inquiring about lists. In addition, the Announcement states that, an enterprise shall bear legal liability for materials and electronic data it submits and transmits to the customs. Electronic document data will apply digital signature technologies, and a three-month transition period will be established for electronic orders, payment documents and waybills, beginning from the effectiveness of this announcement. Furthermore, the Announcement proposes to publish standards concerning electronic messages with respect to the connection by enterprises to the unified information system for cross-border e-commerce.