China: Apertura internacional

Foreign Trade in Figures

Trade represents almost a half of the Chinese GDP. After having achieved a record trade surplus over the past few years, China has become the world's primary exporter and ranks second among world’s largest importers. Chinese exports were increasing until a decrease due to the international financial crisis. For the first time in six years, China experienced a large trade deficit in March 2010, imports soaring due to a strong domestic demand, while exports were lagging behind due to the slowness of the global economic recovery. This phenomenon proved to be only temporary, the country again achieving a surplus the following month. in 2011 the trade surplus diminished due to the slowing down of the growth of exports, following the difficulties in the eurozone. A further worsening of the trade balance is to be expected in 2012.

China's main trade partners are the countries of South East Asia, the United States and the European Union.

Main Partner Countries

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

Main Products

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

To go further, check out our service Flujos de importación-exportación.

Find out all the exchange rates daily on our service Conversor de divisas.

Trade Compliance

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

Main International Economic Cooperation

Asia-Pacific economic cooperation Organization (APEC).
Bilateral Treaties and Accords.
AFTA and ASEAN - China Free Trade Area.
Consult the Free Trade Agreement signed by China. 

Party of the ATA Convention on Temporary Admissions and Use of the Carnets

Yes

As a Reminder, the ATA is a System Allowing the Free Movement of Goods Across Frontiers and Their Temporary Admission Into a Customs Territory With Relief From Duties and Taxes. The Goods Are Covered By a Single Document Known as the ATA Carnet That is Secured By an International Guarantee System.
Look Up the Other Member Countries And Read the Web Pages of the World Customs Organization Devoted to the ATA Carnet.

Party of the TIR Convention

No

As a Reminder, the TIR Convention and its Transit Regime Contribute to the Facilitation of International Transport, Especially International Road Transport, Not Only in Europe and the Middle East, But Also in Other Parts of the World, Such as Africa and Latin America.
The UNCTAD Website Allows You to Read the TIR Convention, See the List of Member Countries And to Find Further Information.

Accompanying Documents For Imports

Goods dispatched in China must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Certificates of origin
- The unique data folder (DAU)
- Commercial invoice (in 3 copies and in English.)
- Sale contract in three copies
- A certificate of plant health (for food and agricultural products)
- A health certificate (for meat)
- A certificate indicating fit for human consumption
- A certificate of fumigation (for the wooden pallets).
- Certificate of Community origin (for imports coming from the EU.)
- Certificate of free sale for cosmetics.
- Transport documents and packing lists.
- Translation of the components/ingredients in Chinese.

To go further, check out our service Identifique los documentos de embarque para su operación.

Free Zones

The Waigaoqiao zone: the Jingqiao zone, the Lujiazui zone and the Zhangjiang zone.
The Zones are known as ZES: Shenzen, Zhuhai, Shantou , Xiamen, Qinghuandao

For Further Information

Customs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Commerce

Non Tariff Barriers

Only companies or institutions authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTEC) can run foreign trade operations. Two methods are possible: Foreign Trade Companies or producing companies entitled to trade with foreigners (import for their personal use provided they have stable export balances). Today, there are nearly 9000 companies authorized to run foreign trade operations in China (14 in 1979).
More than half of value imports of China is subject to import licenses. Initial authorisation is issued by various organisations according to the product, but the final delivery is subject to acceptance by the MOFTEC. To obtain these authorizations, the importer must have exact foreign exchange reserves and justify the necessity to import. Delivery of licenses often depends on the sphere of activity, which may be encouraged, allowed, restricted or simply prohibited, according to the investments regulation promulgated by China. It is essential in all cases to have solids relations within the Chinese Administration for obtaining these licenses.
Many goods imported into China are subject to inspection. Prior inspection in the exporting country for certain products (textile in particular), or inspection at the port or the incoming airport to check that the products are well in conformity with the Chinese standards. These checks are carried out directly and exclusively by the Chinese authorities.

Sectors or Products For Which Commercial Disagreements Have Been Registered With the WTO

Paper, products containing metals (steel, iron, tin, etc), integrated circuits, automobile parts, intellectual property, etc.

Assessment of Commercial Policy

Pages of WTO dedicated to China
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the United States
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the EU
Sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, inventoried by the EU

Standards

National Standards Organizations

Standardisation Administration of China (SAC)
Chinese Association for Standardisation

Integration in the International Standards Network

SAC is the member of:
- The Internationale Standardisation Organisation (ISO) and of the International Electronic Commission (IEC)
- The APEC/SCSC, sub-committee of Standards and Conformity of the organisation of Asia- Pacific economic cooperation
- The ASEM/TFAP/SCA, Plan and Standards of action for facilitation of commercial exchanges and evaluation of conformity of the Asia-Europe Dialog (ASEM)
- The Congress of Standards for the Pacific Zone (PASC)

Obligation to Use Standards

Chinese standards are divided into two types, obligatory (for protection of public health, private property and safety) and voluntary (others).

Classification of Standards

List of Chinese Codes and Standards.

Assessment of the System of Standardization

Respect of standards is important for the Chinese.

Online Consultation of Standards

Publications relating to the Chinese standards of the SAC.

Certification Organizations

CCC Chinese Obligatory Certification
CNCA Administration of certification and accreditation of China
Certification organizations
AQSIQ

Associations of Standards Users

Chinese Association for Standardisation (CAS)

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