Chinese ports eye one-stop customs clearance this year

BEIJING - Chinese authorities will work to promote an integrated "single window" platform nationwide by the end of this year, allowing companies to declare cargo and taxes with a single submission, a move to facilitate trade and streamline administration.

"The integrated platform makes it unnecessary for businesses to enter the same information again and again to different authorities. The platform has been put in place in 17 provinces and cities," Zou Zhiwu, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs, said Friday at a press conference.

"By the end of this year, the single window platform will be in use at all ports across the country," Zou said.

In this year's government work report, China committed to extending the single-window processing of international trade and achieving nationwide integration of customs clearance procedures.

A standardized version of the single window is being developed, which consists of nine functions, including declaration of cargo, transportation, and payment of taxes and fees, he said.

An e-verification platform will be established for authorities to share declaration data, logistics control information and enterprises' credit standing to create a better business environment, he added.