China to cut quarantine fees

BEIJING - China's economic planner is to cut quarantine fees at customs from Jan 1, 2013, it announced on Friday.

The move will save businesses about 5.2 billion yuan ($825.40 million) annually, according to a statement posted on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The rate of quarantine fees on exports and imports will be lowered to 0.08 percent of goods' value from the previous 0.15 percent and 0.12 percent, the statement said.

Some resources commodities will be charged based on quantity instead of value. The rate will be 0.6 yuan per ton for ore sand, mineral waste residue and calx and 0.08 yuan per ton for liquified natural gas, natural gas and petroleum crude oil, the statement said.

The new measures will group different charging items under one fee to simplify quarantine procedures.