China: Update to China’s Cross-Border eCommerce Policy

On November 28, 2018, various Chinese agencies jointly issued a policy update (no. 486) for the regulation of cross-border eCommerce (CBEC) retail imports. The CBEC policy update will enter into force as of January 1, 2019. The CBEC policy notice states that retail goods imported via cross-border e-commerce platforms will be regulated as imported items for personal use and not be subject to the requirements for licensing, registration or filing related to goods imported through traditional trade. The notice also describes the responsibilities for various parties involved in regulating CBEC in China, including government departments, CBEC enterprises, CBEC platforms, domestic service providers and consumers. The following report contains an unofficial translation of the CBEC policy notice.

China: Update to China’s Cross-Border eCommerce Policy