Shanghai Customs Implements New CIQ Requirement For Imitation Jewelry

China Customs has announced a new regulation that requires imitation jewelry manufacturers to secure an inspection certificate issued by the CIQ (China Inspection & Quarantine agency) when making their Customs declaration prior to export.  The new regulation went into effect on January 1, 2011, but sources report widespread confusion at China Customs about how to implement the new regulation. 

Yiwu vendors who work through foreign trading companies for export and import licensing may be particularly challenged in securing this certificate.

Currently the China CIQ is estimating a one week turnaround time in securing the certificate prior to export.  Once systems are in place, industry sources advise that shippers will need to secure the document one day prior to consolidation closings (adding a day to the clearance and export cycle).  For factories working through foreign trading companies, this process may take 2 days.

The announcement from Shanghai Customs advises that this is a country wide regulation, but sources in southern China and in the Qingdao area have been unable to confirm the new requirement. 

We recommend that our imitation jewelry clients immediately contact their China suppliers to confirm they have contacted their Customs brokers and have a plan in place to handle the new requirement.  

Liberty will continue to work closely with our China partners to gain further details and will send another update via Global Facts tomorrow.