China Member profile
Status of notification in the reporting periods
2010-2012
2012-2014
2014-2016
2016-2018
2018-2020
2020-2022
2022-2024
2024-2026
Notification information
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China
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29/04/2024
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2022-2024
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China
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15/10/2021
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2020-2022
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China
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29/01/2019
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2018-2020
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China
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29/01/2019
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2016-2018
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China
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08/04/2015
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2014-2016
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China
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08/04/2015
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2012-2014
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China
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08/04/2015
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2012-2014
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Types of restrictions
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 HS chapters notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 WTO justifications notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
Top 10 Non-WTO commitments notified
All biennial periods and all notifications
QR details
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Trade policy review
Latest Trade Policy Review (Report by the WTO Secretariat): WT/TPR/S/458/Rev.1
A. Import prohibitions and restrictions and import licensing
3.54.
In 2024, the Catalogue of Import Goods Subject to Licensing listed 149 tariff lines at the HS 10-digit level that were subject to non-automatic import licensing (compared with 118 tariff lines at the HS 10-digit level in 2020).[129] According to the authorities, during the review period, some adjustments regarding ozone-depleting substances were made in the Catalogue as a result of the ratification of Kigali Amendment as well as the Tariff Adjustment Plan of the State Council Tariff Commission for 2022.[130] As noted in previous Reviews, imports subject to non-automatic licences mainly include used mechanical and electronic equipment, and substances that deplete the ozone layer. The procedures to obtain a non‑automatic import licence have remained unchanged since the previous Review.
3.53.
Products subject to non-automatic licences are listed in the Catalogue of Import Goods Subject to Licensing.
3.52.
There have been no major changes to the application procedures or terms of automatic import licences since the previous Review.[128] The validity of an automatic import licence is six months; it can be extended in certain cases. Applications can be filed with MOFCOM or its entrusted institutions. Licence applications shall be immediately approved by the issuing authority (or within a maximum of 10 working days under special circumstances). Automatic import licences are not transferable. Enterprises are allowed, and encouraged, to apply for and receive import licences online.
3.51.
A Catalogue of Goods Subject to Automatic Import Licensing is issued annually.[125] As before, all commodities listed in the Catalogue can be imported freely; automatic import licences are maintained only for monitoring purposes. In 2024, 24 categories of goods were subject to automatic import licensing requirements implemented by MOFCOM[126], and a further 21 categories of goods[127] were subject to automatic import licensing requirements, implemented by provincial-level local competent commercial departments or local and departmental electromechanical offices, entrusted by MOFCOM. Tetrachlorethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and neoprene were added to the Catalogue during the review period.
3.50.
The main laws and regulations governing non-automatic import licensing remain the Foreign Trade Law, the Regulation on the Administration of Import and Export of Goods, and the Regulation on the Administration of Import and Export of Technologies, unchanged since 2021.
3.49.
China's import licensing system, unchanged since 2020, includes automatic and non‑automatic import licences. The allocation of customs tariff quotas requires Import Tariff Quota Certificates. In addition, China applies import licences to specific dual-use substances for the purpose of safeguarding national security and public interest and under relevant international agreements.[124] The authorities indicate that, with a view to facilitating the licensing of dual-use items, China has digitalized the entire process of applying for such licensing. Most automatic import licensing requirements are for products listed in HS Section 17 (transport equipment). Products that require non‑automatic import licences mainly include ozone-depleting substances and some used mechanical and electrical products.
3.48.
In April 2021, the Measures for the Safety Administration of Imported and Exported Food was revised. The revision, inter alia, encouraged the utilization of technology and the strengthening of cooperation with international organization.
3.47.
Imports of all solid waste in any form have been banned since January 2021.[123] The dumping, stacking, and disposal of waste products from overseas on China's territory are banned as well. These wastes are listed in the Catalogue of Restrictive Solid Waste (that can be used as raw materials) and the Catalogue of Non-restrictive Solid Waste, formulated by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
3.46.
According to the Foreign Trade Law (last amended in 2022), China may maintain import prohibitions on the grounds of protection of human health or safety, protection of the lives or health of animals and plants, protection of the environment, protection of national security and public interest, fulfilment of legal obligations under international treaties or agreements, or implementation of measures related to the import or export of gold or silver.[119] Import prohibitions also apply to imports originating in specific trading partners (Table A3.2); for example, as notified to the WTO in August 2023, China announced the suspension of the importation of all aquatic products, including edible aquatic animals, originating in Japan.[120] China notified to the WTO its import prohibitions for the 2020-22 period (Table 3.6).[121] These prohibitions applied to certain toxic substances and wild animal products; certain old/second-hand mechanical and electrical equipment; certain hazardous chemicals, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, and mercury-added products; solid wastes; ractopamine; certain types of filament lamps; and charcoal imported from Somalia. The latest list of prohibited products was issued in December 2023 (MOFCOM's Catalogue of Commodities Subject to Import Prohibition).[122]
3.45.
According to relevant laws and regulations, import licensing is applied to certain goods subject to import restrictions.
3.44.
China continues to classify imports into three categories: not restricted, restricted, and prohibited. The import of restricted goods is administered through licences or import quotas. The licensing system does not differentiate between the origins of products unless otherwise provided for in RTAs that entered into force in China.[117] Since 2021, no changes have been made to the laws and regulations governing the administration of import/export licences.[118]
B. Export prohibitions and restrictions
3.88.
According to the authorities, China is currently drafting the Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items.
3.77.
Unchanged since the previous Review, China imposes export restrictions and prohibitions on certain items with a view to, inter alia, protecting national security and public interest, human health and safety, the life and health of animals and plants, and the environment; preserving natural resources that are in short domestic supply or may be exhausted in the future; maintaining the order of trading; safeguarding particular industries and balance of payments; and fulfilling obligations under international treaties and agreements.[150]
3.87.
The Catalogue of Technologies Restricted or Forbidden for Export was modified in December 2023 by MOFCOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).[161] Exports of a technology, either by means of transfer or licensing, are prohibited if such technology is classified as a prohibited technology in the Catalogue. With regard to transfer of any technology subject to export restrictions in the Catalogue, approval from a competent commerce authority at the provincial level is required before entering into any substantial transfer negotiation with foreign counterparties, and an export licence issued by the same authority would be also required when completing the technology transfer agreement.
3.86.
Exporters must apply for a "controlled-item export licence" from the relevant export control authority in order to export any item listed on a control list or subject to temporary controls. Under Article 13 of the Export Control Law, approval or disapproval of exports is based on whether they are endangering national security and interests; being used to design, develop, produce, or use weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery; or being used for terrorist purposes.[160]
3.85.
In 2021, exports subject to export licences and export quotas accounted for around 2.7% of China's total exports in value.[159] In 2022, they accounted for around 3.5% of the total exports, and in 2023, they accounted for around 4.1%.
3.84.
In order to "maintain foreign trade order", export declarations of certain products continue to be subject to export licensing. According to the authorities, currently the restriction on customs clearance ports is applicable mainly in relation to export quota applications for cultivated herbal ephedra used for medicinal purposes.[158] Export clearance of the product must be conducted at Tianjin Customs.
3.83.
The authorities state that, with a view to advancing the facilitation of the international trade in crop seeds, starting from 1 July 2021, the requirement for provincial-level review for the import and export of crop seeds was abolished, and it is now directly approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
3.82.
China enforces a licence management system for the export of particular dual-use items. During the review period, China imposed export control on items relating to potassium perchlorate, high-pressure water cannons, gallium and germanium, and items related to drones, and made adjustments to the temporary control measures applicable to the export of graphite (the authorities note that this is with reference to globally accepted practices). The authorities state that these follow a coordinated approach to development and security, consider the need to adhere to international obligations such as non-proliferation, and safeguard national security and interests. According to the Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Licences for Dual-use Items and Technologies, at the end of each year, MOFCOM will update the Catalogue for the Administration of Import and Export Licences for Dual-use Items and Technologies in collaboration with the GACC. Products in the Catalogue that are subject to the administration of import and export licences for dual-use items and technologies include, inter alia, chemicals, missiles, nuclear items, particular commercial password products, and computing items. In addition, export control also applies to military products and nuclear-related items. In December 2022, the 2023 Catalogue for the Administration of Import and Export Licences for Dual-use Items and Technologies was published, revising the 2021 Catalogue.[157] The Catalogue on export licensing contains 11 types of products including chemicals, missiles, nuclear items, and cryptography.
3.81.
Regarding licensing requirements, MOFCOM issues on a yearly basis the Catalogue of Goods Subject to the Administration of Export Licences.[154] The Catalogue lists goods that are subject to export licensing. The 2023 Announcement, set to be implemented in 2024, contains 43 categories (unchanged since 2020). Most of the contents within these categories have remained unchanged since 2020, while there are newly added products under liquorice and liquorice products, chemicals, certain graphite materials and their products, ozone-depleting substances, certain unmanned aerial vehicles, certain aviation engines, certain gallium and germanium-related items, sawn timber, and certain automobile categories. Some goods have been added to the fluorite (fluorspar) and titanium categories. In addition, some goods have had their names changed, but their HS codes remain the same.[155] The Catalogue also lists goods that are subject to export quota, for which there also is a designated catalogue.[156] For exports subject to a quota, the exporter must obtain the quota prior to applying for a licence.
3.80.
Restricted exports may be subject to quotas and licences. MOFCOM announces the total export quota of goods before 31 October each year. The latest total quota was provided through MOFCOM Announcement on the Total Export Quotas for Goods (Announcement No. 44, 2023).[153]
3.79.
The authorities indicate that China plans to submit a new notification before the TPRB meeting for the TPR of China in July 2024.
3.78.
Export restrictions, including prohibitions and licensing requirements, are in place on a variety of items, as highlighted in China's WTO notification in 2022 on its quantitative restrictions.[151] The list contains items subject to export prohibitions (e.g. toxic substances and wild animal products, hazardous chemicals and pollutants, natural sand, forest litter and turf, and ractopamine) and those subject to export licensing (e.g. live cattle, wheat, maize, rice, coal, oil, cotton, tungsten, rare earths, motorcycles, ozone-depleting substances, dual‑use substances and technologies, etc.), some of which include export quotas. In addition, various announcements by MOFCOM indicate temporary export restrictions (including prohibitions) (Table 3.11). According to the authorities, export licensing for dual-use items is not a restriction on the quota or volume of export.[152]
WTO's environmental database (EDB)
The EDB contains environment-related measures that may qualify as QRs and therefore should be notified under the QR Decision.