The General Administration of Customs ("GAC") has recently issued the Announcement [2018] No.134, deciding to adopt the regulatory mode of "release first and testing second" for some imported mineral products. This announcement takes effect immediately from the date of issuance.
The announcement provides clarity in five respects. First, "release first" means that imported mineral products could be taken away from the operation site under customs supervision, once they have been proved to be qualifying via on-the-spot quarantine inspections, while "testing second" means that lab tests will be conducted and testing certificates will be issued, after imported mineral products have been taken away from the said site. Second, the regulatory mode of "release first and testing second" will apply to imported iron ore, manganese ore, chromium ore, lead ore and concentrate thereof, and zinc ore and concentrate thereof. Third, if it is found in the on-the-spot quarantine inspection that the imports are radioactively beyond the standard, or possibly or truly mixed with solid waste, or inconsistent with those indicated on the certificate, or mingled with foreign substance, the said regulatory mode of "release first and testing second" will not apply. Fourth, an enterprise shall neither sell nor use the imported mineral products until the customs office has completed the qualification assessment and issued the qualification certificate for these products. Fifth, in case of any major issue concerning security, sanitation, environmental protection or trade fraud, arising out of the regulation, the customs will deal with such issue in accordance with laws and regulations, and adjust the regulatory mode in due time.