Core conclusions:On October 15th, General Administration of Customs of China announced that 25 measures to facilitate cross-border trade will be implemented nationwide. Among these measures are the implementation of policies such as immediate tax refund upon departure for cross-border e-commerce transactions, and simplified regulations for the inspection and supervision of exported lithium batteries. Additionally, the requirements for transporting electrical goods containing lithium batteries have been streamlined. On the same day, the 140th Canton Fair event attracted approximately 86,000 overseas buyers from 208 countries and regions.
1. Implementing 25 measures to facilitate cross-border trade across the country
According to news from General Administration of Customs of China on October 15th, in order to improve the quality and efficiency of foreign trade, 25 measures to facilitate cross-border trade will be implemented nationwide. These measures focus on five aspects: promoting efficient and smooth cross-border logistics operations, supporting the development of new business models, optimizing the regulation of special goods, enhancing the level of intelligent regulatory services, and improving the effectiveness of policies that benefit businesses and make life easier for citizens.
There are several measures directly related to export factories. In terms of new business models, efforts are being made to support the development of cross-border e-commerce, with full implementation of the policy of issuing tax refunds upon departure and re-calculating prices after sales. For special goods, the inspection and regulatory mechanisms for exported lithium batteries are being improved, thereby promoting the healthy development of trade in electric vehicles and lithium batteries. Comprehensive bonded zones are supported in carrying out bonded inspection services for auto parts and other export goods, and pilot programs for creating “whitelist” systems are being established. Additionally, the application of the “dual-certificate integration” policy for imported motor vehicles is being expanded. In terms of logistics, the requirements for air transportation of goods containing lithium batteries are being simplified, and efforts are being made to promote “direct access” regulations at aviation ports.
For factories engaged in cross-border e-commerce exports, the “tax refund upon departure” feature of the 9810 overseas storage model has been fully implemented. This means that goods can be declared for tax refund as soon as they leave the country, without the need to wait until they are sold in the overseas warehouse before calculating the refund amount. The time required for funds to be utilized can be reduced by several weeks. For factories producing electric tools, outdoor power sources, and energy storage products, the optimization of lithium battery inspection procedures and the simplification of air transportation for live goods directly reduce the costs associated with inspection and transportation during the shipment process.
II. On the first day of Canton Fair’s event, 86,000 overseas buyers attended the conference.
The 140th Canton Fair exhibition took place in Guangzhou on October 15th. On the first day, approximately 86,000 overseas buyers from 208 countries and regions attended the event. In total, around 340,000 overseas buyers participated in the exhibition, with over 32,000 companies showcasing their products. The first phase of the exhibition focused on “Advanced Manufacturing”. The exhibition area covered 520,000 square meters, with more than 25,000 booths available for展示. There were also over 12,000 companies participating in the exhibition, including many high-tech enterprises, specialized manufacturers, and champions in their respective industries. More than 6,000 companies participated in this edition of the exhibition. It was planned to hold over 700 new product launches during this event, resulting in a 15% increase in the number of products being introduced to the market. Source:people's daily.
The first exhibition will be held from October 15th to 19th, covering categories such as electronic home appliances, industrial automation, lighting and electrical systems, hardware tools, new energy vehicles, and smart transportation solutions. Additionally, there will be special areas dedicated to 17 emerging industries, including service robots, drones, and display technologies. The second and third phases of the exhibition will focus on consumer goods, gifts, textiles, and clothing. The replacement exhibition period will be from October 20th to 22nd. There are only a few days left for invitation arrangements and preparation materials.
III. Two new regulations: Requirements for cocoa bean quarantine measures and feedback on items that can be used in both civil aviation and military applications
On October 15th, General Administration of Customs of China issued Announcement No. 147 of 2026, outlining the plant quarantine requirements for importing cocoa beans from African countries. These regulations will take effect on December 15, 2026. Cocoa beans originating from Sao Tome and Principe have been approved for import into our country. Relevant requirements shall be in accordance with Announcement No. 120 of 2024. Companies that import food raw materials should pay attention to these quarantine conditions and certificate requirements.
The Ministry of Commerce held a public consultation on October 13 regarding the "Regulations on the Management of Export Certificates for Dual-Use Items in the Field of Civil Aviation" (draft for comment). The document consists of twenty-two articles, covering five main aspects: applicable entities, business scenarios, registration and clearance procedures, compliance obligations, and administrative penalties. Enterprises that export dual-use items related to civil aviation can obtain export certificates after completing the necessary information registration procedures, without the need to apply for licenses individually for each shipment. Enterprises engaged in the production of aircraft components, maintenance services, and drone exports are encouraged to submit feedback during the comment period. They must also establish a mechanism for keeping records and reporting on the use of these materials in accordance with the regulations. Source:Ministry of Commerce, Bureau of Industrial Security and Import/Export Control.
| matters | key figures | What the factory needs to do |
|---|---|---|
| 25 facilitation measures | On October 15th, it was announced that the initiative would be replicated and promoted across the country. | Conditions for cross-border e-commerce exports: 9810 – tax refund upon departure |
| Canton Fair attended the meeting on the first day | Approximately 86,000 people, from 208 countries and regions | The invitation process and preparation should be completed 72 hours before the exhibition. |
| The 140th QHG 0Q | 340,000 buyers, 32,000 companies, and 700 events for the launch of new products | Those exhibitors who did not participate in this edition can make reservations to view the exhibits outside the exhibition hall. |
| Announcement No. 147 | Cocoa bean quarantine requirements will be implemented on December 15, 2026. | Requirements for checking quarantine certificates when importing food raw materials |
| Measures for Civil Aviation Dual-Use Items | Draft guidelines: 22 articles. Published from pages 10 to 13. | Aviation materials manufacturers and drone export companies must comply with relevant regulations. |
4. Common questions
After the implementation of the “tax refund upon departure” policy, how should cross-border e-commerce exports be declared?
For goods exported using the 9810 overseas warehouse model, tax refunds can be claimed after customs clearance. The actual refund amount will be calculated after sales, rather than waiting for the goods to be sold in the overseas warehouse. Factories need to determine whether they are following the 9810 or 9610 guidelines. The documents used for customs clearance, foreign exchange receipt, and tax refund applications must be consistent. Documents should be collected based on the date of departure from the country. The specific reporting requirements shall be subject to the regulations implemented by the local tax authorities.
2. If I didn’t go to Canton Fair in the first round, can I still get a buyer?
Yes. The Canton Fair online platform maintains a list of buyers and a reservation system throughout the year. Users can search for buyers by subject matter and make reservations, scheduling meetings either near the exhibition halls or at the manufacturers’ facilities. Additionally, approximately 340,000 buyers will attend the event in three phases. There is still an opportunity to participate during the second and third phases (from October 23rd to 27th, and from October 31st to November 4th). It’s important to ensure that all multilingual materials and pricing information are prepared in advance.
3. What precautions should be taken during the inspection and transportation of lithium battery products after the optimization of regulations regarding the export of lithium battery products?
The optimization of regulatory procedures does not mean that inspections are eliminated. Exporting lithium batteries still requires compliance with hazardous goods transportation regulations, including obtaining a UN38.3 test report and a transportation certification document. Packaging requirements and insulation standards remain the same. The main changes involve streamlining the inspection process and simplifying the transportation of electrical goods. It is recommended to confirm the latest list of items allowed for shipment with the shipping company, afineless having to go through additional inspections or being rejected due to outdated regulations.
For the factories that export goods, among the 25 measures, two measures related to cross-border e-commerce and electrical products are particularly important. It’s worth reviewing these measures immediately, along with the tax refund procedures and shipping documents, as this will be more effective than waiting for further policy changes in the future.
Qihang Zhilian Foreign Trade Research Institute·Let China's intelligent manufacturing industry set sail to sea·Tel: 180-0327-6609
