As an international metropolis, Guangzhou has attracted lots of transnational corporations and organizations to set up offices here.
Office Supplies & Vehicles of Permanent Offices
Offices that have obtained a permanent business license may apply to import and export office supplies and motor vehicles, as well as other kinds of valuable items. First, we will take a closer look at the regulations about importing and exporting office supplies and vehicles.
If a permanent office applies to import or export office supplies or vehicles, or if a permanent office or permanent registered member of staff applies to import a motor vehicle duty-free, they should follow the relevant customs regulations.
Ownership of a motor vehicle imported duty-free as described above may only be transferred to another permanent office or permanent registered member of staff or sold to an authorized operating unit upon application on the following conditions:
a) More than four years have elapsed since the vehicle was released by the Customs Office;
b) the member of staff who originally imported the vehicle has completed his or her contract period.
At the end of the six-year period of customs supervision, the vehicle may also be transferred, sold or used for other purposes.
Motor Vehicles for Personal Use
In addition to permanent offices, each member of staff who has a long-term residence permit can also apply to import one motor vehicle for personal use. Such applications should be made in writing and submitted by the member of staff or their appointed customs declaration agency to the competent customs office.
The motor vehicle will be released after the application is reviewed and approved by the competent customs office and upon presentation of approval papers and/or other related bills. The vehicle will be subject to duties according to the relevant regulations.
To apply to import such a vehicle, the following documents should be submitted to the competent customs office for examination:
1. Identity papers
2. Long-term residence permits
3. A completed Application Form of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Importation and Exportation of Articles for Personal Use
4. Bill of lading (waybill), packing list and other related bills
5. Other supporting documents as required by Customs
6. Photocopies of their identity papers and long-term residence permits.
Except for foreign experts, all permanent resident members of staff must also submit their resident office's Filing Certificate of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Resident Offices, or their foreign-invested enterprise's Registration Certificate of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Consignor and Consignee Customs Declaration of Cargo Imports and Exports.
Permanent registered members of staff who are importing motor vehicles should apply for the Notice of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Issuance/Cancellation of Licenses for Imported/Exported Vehicles under Supervision from the competent customs office. They must also complete the formalities for obtaining licenses for the aforesaid motor vehicles within 10 working days of the release of such vehicles by Customs.
For motor vehicles that have been imported by a permanent registered member of staff with duties, the permanent registered member of staff may not transfer the titles to their vehicles until at least one year after they have completed the vehicle registration formalities with the competent traffic administration agency of the public security bureau.
To transfer such titles, the permanent registered member of staff should file a written application with the competent customs office and provide the following documents for examination:
1. Identity papers
2. Long-term residence permits
3. The Motor Vehicle Driving Permit for the imported motor vehicle
4. Their resident office's Filing Certificate of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Resident Offices or their foreign-invested enterprise's Registration Certificate of the Customs of the People's Republic of China for Consignor and Consignee Customs Declaration of Cargo Imports and Exports
5. Other supporting documents as required by Customs
After being approved by the competent customs office and obtaining the Notice of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Issuance/Cancellation of Licenses for Imported/Exported Vehicles under Supervision, the permanent registered member of staff may complete the formalities for the transfer of the titles to their vehicles with the competent traffic administration agency of the public security bureau.
Cultural Relics
Chinese law expressly prohibits valuable cultural relics and other protected cultural relics from exiting the territorial boundaries of China.
Article 61 of Chapter IV of the Cultural Relics Protection Law of the People's Republic of China
Any passenger taking a cultural relic out of China in checked or carry-on baggage or by post must make a declaration to Customs. Customs officers will release cultural relics with exit licenses and wax seals issued by the Entry and Exit Supervision Office of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
For more information, please call Guangdong Cultural Relics Entry and Exit Supervision Office, State Administration of Cultural Heritage, or visit the website of the Information Management System of National Cultural Relics Entry and Exit Supervision
（来源：广州外事）
