China will expand and improve the existing policies on retail imports and exports via cross-border e-commerce to widen opening-up and unlock the potential of consumption, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Nov 21.

The Chinese government places great importance on developing cross-border e-commerce and other new forms of trade. President Xi Jinping stressed in his keynote speech at the opening of the first China International Import Expo that China will stimulate the potential for increased imports and step up cross-border e-commerce and other new forms and models of business. Premier Li Keqiang, in his government work reports over the last four year, underlined the need to promote new forms of industry, including cross-border e-commerce, and adopt a new approach of prudent, accommodating and effective regulation.

Figures from the General Administration of Customs show that between January and October 2018, retail imports of cross-border e-commerce reached 67.2 billion yuan, up 53.7 percent year-on-year.

“Boosting cross-border e-commerce will contribute to high-level opening-up. It will promote steady growth in foreign trade, drive consumption and create jobs,” Premier Li said. “We need to take a holistic approach, exercise prudent yet accommodating regulation to fully unleash the growth potential of cross-border e-commerce.”

The meeting decided that starting from next January, the current policies on cross-border e-commerce retail imports will continue. No requirements in licensing, registration or record-filing for first-time imports will apply to retail imports through cross-border e-commerce platforms. Instead, these goods will receive more relaxed regulation as imports for personal use. Moreover, implementation of this policy will be extended from the 15 cities such as Hangzhou to another 22 cities such as Beijing, which have just established comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones.

Goods included in the cross-border e-commerce retail imports list have so far enjoyed zero tariffs within a set quota and had their import VAT and consumer tax collected at 70 percent of the statutory taxable amount. Such preferential policies will be extended to another 63 tax categories of high-demand goods. The quota of goods eligible for the preferential policies will be raised from 2,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan per transaction, and from 20,000 yuan to 26,000 yuan per head per year. This quota will be further adjusted as needed in light of increases in personal incomes.

At the same time, export tax rebate policies will be further improved in line with international practices to further boost exports via cross-border e-commerce.

“For a large importing and exporting nation as China, it is imperative to further open up, pursue greater diversity in the import and export mix, and vigorously attract foreign investment to promote balanced international payments and steady economic development,” Premier Li said.

Cross-border e-commerce businesses, online platforms and payment and logistics service providers must fully discharge their responsibilities required by law, the meeting urged. Product quality, safety inspection and risk prevention and control should be strengthened for fair competition in the marketplace and better protection of consumer rights and interests.