State Council reshuffles Customs Tariff Commission

The State Council decided to make adjustments in its Customs Tariff Commission, according to a circular released on Nov 5.

The circular set out the main responsibilities of the commission.

The commission should review major tariff plans, and make plans for tariff reform and development while ensuring their implementation.

The commission should also take the responsibility of adjusting and interpreting items and rates in the Custom Tariff of Import and Export of the People’s Republic of China, and the Tariff Rate on Inward Articles of the People’s Republic of China, and carry out implementation after being approved by the State Council.

Editing and publishing the Custom Tariff of Import and Export of the People’s Republic of China are also part of its duties, according to the circular.

The commission will also decide on goods subject to provisional tariff rates and duration, and make decisions on tariff-rate quotas, anti-dumping duties, anti-subsidy duties, and retaliatory tariffs.

Reviewing major tariff policies reported to the State Council and foreign tariff negotiation programs, and determining tax rates for special circumstances are also part of its job, the circular said.

The commission will be headed by State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Xiao Jie, with 10 other members from different ministries.

The office for the commission is located in the Ministry of Finance, which will undertake the daily work of the commission, the circular stated.