On December 30, 2022, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress revised the Foreign Trade Law of the Peoples Republic of China by deleting Article 9, which removed the provisions related to foreign trade operator registration. Based on this revision, on January 3, 2023, the General Administration of Customs abolishedforeign tradethe requirement for foreign trade operator registration when registering as a goods consignor or consignee.import and exportOrder No. 253 of the General Administration of Customs provides detailed regulations on the registration of customs declaration units, specifying the conditions for registration of import and export goods consignors and consignees and their branches, as well as the ability to conduct customs declaration business within China after successful registration with customs.

Import and export goods consignors and consignees refer to market entities that, in accordance with registration regulations, are registered with customs and directly import or export goods within Chinas customs territory. Branches refer to legally established branches of import and export goods consignors and consignees within Chinas customs territory that are registered with customs in accordance with registration regulations.

Below is the content regarding the registration of customs declaration units for import and export goods consignors and consignees:

II. How import and export goods consignors and consignees can register as customs declaration units:

Import and export goods consignors and consignees are the direct parties engaged in import and export activities.

When handling customs declaration procedures, import and export goods consignors and consignees can choose to declare goods themselves or delegate the task to a customs declaration agency. If delegating to a customs declaration agency, the agency must be registered in the customs declaration unit registration management system.

III. Notes on customs declaration registration

The specific operational process is as follows: import and export goods consignors and consignees log into the customs declaration unit registration management system, select the Customs Declaration Agency Registration function, fill in the relevant information and upload supporting documents, and complete the registration application. After approval by customs, the registration becomes effective.

In the registration management system, import and export goods consignors and consignees can also query, modify, or cancel registered customs declaration agency information.

If changes occur in the customs declaration units name, market entity type, address, legal representative, or customs declaration personnel, the unit must apply for changes with the local customs within 30 days of the change. If the local customs changes due to relocation or other reasons, the unit must apply for changes with the new customs. If a customs declaration unit is dissolved, declared bankrupt, or terminated for other legal reasons, or if its registration is canceled or revoked by market supervision authorities, or if its business license is revoked, or if it loses its legal status, it must complete the registration cancellation procedures with the local customs. If the registration is canceled with customs, its branches must also complete the registration cancellation procedures. If the registration cancellation procedures are not completed as required, customs will cancel the registration in accordance with the law.

Enterprises, institutions, or other organizations with independent legal personality;

How can import and export goods consignors and consignees register as customs declaration units?