General

On December 30, 2022, the 38th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress adopted a decision to delete the provisions of Article 9 of the Foreign Trade Law of the People's Republic of China on the filing and registration of foreign trade operators. The decision shall come into force as of the date of promulgation.

Many experts said that it is an international practice to exempt foreign trade operators from filing and registration procedures, which reflects China's attitude and pace of promoting high-level opening up, and will effectively improve the operating efficiency and vitality of the vast number of international trade enterprises. Experts suggest that market players should seize the opportunity of international trade market to enhance product competitiveness; At the same time, the government departments should continue to improve foreign trade policies and measures, and do a good job in connection with relevant work and service guidance.

Connect with the world and promote high-level opening up

It is understood that after the cancellation of the registration of foreign trade operators, the relevant departments will no longer require market entities applying for import and export licenses, technology import and export contract registration certificates, quotas, state-owned trade qualifications and other relevant certificates and qualifications to provide foreign trade operator registration materials.

"The cancellation of the filing and registration system for foreign trade enterprises has opened a convenient door for the integration of domestic and foreign trade." Zhao Ping, vice president of the Research Institute of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that this move cleared the qualification barriers for domestic market entities to carry out foreign trade business, promoted better connectivity between the domestic market and the international market, and helped various market entities to make full use of the international and domestic markets and resources, not only enhancing the endogenous power and reliability of the domestic big cycle, It is also conducive to improving the quality and level of international circulation.

"This is a step for China to be in line with the international prevailing rules, and everything will come naturally." Bai Ming, deputy director of the International Market Research Institute of the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, said that it is an international practice to exempt foreign trade operators from filing and registration procedures, which is in line with China's proactive opening strategy, and also meets China's need to move from a big trading country to a strong trading country.

The head of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce pointed out that this is a major reform measure in the field of foreign trade management, an important institutional innovation for the Chinese government to firmly promote trade liberalization and facilitation, which is conducive to releasing the growth potential of foreign trade, promoting high-quality development of international trade and high-level opening up.

Enterprises "lighten the burden" and practically optimize the business environment

Data shows that by the end of 2021, there are 48.423 million registered enterprises and 103 million self-employed businesses in China.

Xu Kai, an associate professor of the School of Economics of Zhejiang University, pointed out that the cancellation of the registration of foreign trade operators has given the majority of operators a "reassurance". After that, foreign trade is no longer a special business item, but a part of daily business.

"This is especially true for private enterprises." Hong Tao emphasized that this move will bring tangible benefits to market players and foreign trade industries in many aspects, such as streamlining foreign trade procedures, improving process convenience, reducing administrative links, and improving enterprise digital management.

The data shows that in the first 11 months of 2022, the number of private enterprises with import and export performance in China increased by 7.3% year on year, totaling 19.41 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 13.6%, accounting for 50.6% of China's total foreign trade in the same period, 2.2 percentage points higher than the same period last year, and continuing to play the role of "main force" in foreign trade.

"Enterprises that are optimistic about international market opportunities can engage in import and export business, and will further increase the number of foreign trade enterprises attached, injecting greater vitality into the development of foreign trade." Zhao Ping pointed out that by streamlining foreign trade procedures, we can give full play to the advantages of the domestic super large market, create new advantages for China to participate in international competition and cooperation, and also provide convenience for enterprises to seize new opportunities in the international market, Greatly improve the reaction speed of enterprises to the international trade market.

Improve supporting facilities and promote high-quality trade development

Deepen the construction of "single window" for international trade; Carry out trade facilitation pilot projects by using free trade pilot zones and comprehensive bonded zones; In recent years, China has achieved remarkable results in streamlining foreign trade procedures and improving the level of facilitation.

The data shows that by December 2021, the overall customs clearance time of imported and exported goods nationwide has been reduced to 32.97 hours and 1.23 hours respectively, 66.14% and 89.98% less than that in 2017, which is far higher than the standard for general goods to be released within 48 hours after arrival stipulated by RCEP.

Many experts said that after the cancellation of the registration of foreign trade operators, enterprises should seize the opportunity to actively adapt to foreign markets and seize the market by strengthening innovation.

Hong Tao, director of the Business Economics Research Institute of Beijing Business and Technology University, believes that foreign trade enterprises should explore "chain development", reduce costs and improve efficiency and enhance competitiveness by extending the industrial chain, connecting the supply chain, enhancing the value chain, integrating the interest chain, applying the technology chain and cultivating the ecological chain.

Zhao Ping also pointed out that enterprises should especially make full use of modern information technology to accelerate online and offline integration, promote the connection between production and marketing, supply and demand, improve the digital, networked and intelligent level of the supply chain, and integrate two markets and two resources at home and abroad.

According to the person in charge of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Commerce is guiding the local competent commercial departments to do a good job in connection with the cancellation of the registration of foreign trade operators.

"We should master the relationship between" fast "and" good "and achieve a smooth transition." Bai Ming said that we should timely strengthen information sharing among departments, improve foreign trade policies and measures, continue to promote trade innovation and promote high-quality development.