BEIJING, 23rd May, 2024 (WAM) -- Chinese officials said that new regulations will take effect on 1st June to assist in docking and resupplying international cruise ships at China's ports.
According to China Daily, the announcement came during a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
The regulations outline the specifications for resupply operations, supply routes, regulatory frameworks concerning medicines, medical devices, and duty-free tobacco products, customs facilitation measures, and the legal responsibilities of different business entities.
Wang Zhenjiang, Vice-Minister of Justice, said the Chinese government has promoted the development of the cruise economy. The new regulations focus on addressing bottlenecks in the resupply process and lay the foundation for formulating and implementing legal systems regarding the cruise economy.
Liu Yang, an official from the Department of Port Control of the General Administration of Customs, said that the customs department is allowing companies to submit electronic data to customs to handle the declaration of cruise ships and the addition of materials, facilitating docking and resupply operations.
Export tax refunds will also be available for resupply materials. Those sourced from abroad, unless otherwise specified, will not be subject to tariff quotas or licence management, thus reducing customs clearance costs
Liu noted that enterprises can now use the window for international trade to streamline customs procedures for supplying food, retail items, hotel supplies, entertainment props and other necessities.
Huo Fupeng, an official from the Department of Industry of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that the cruise market is rapidly recovering, along with global tourism, bringing China's cruise industry significant opportunities.
"With further improvements in the regulatory framework, China's cruise tourism market and cruise-related economy are poised for faster growth," he said.