On Sept 7, Shenyang launched new policies on customs clearance to simplify customs formalities, with the aim of removing barriers to economic development, according to information from Shenyang Customs.

The new policies, which have been introduced from the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, are targeted at businesses conducting foreign trade, and it is expected they will simplify import and export procedures.

The highlights of the policies include two crucial measures.

First, businesses undertaking foreign trade are able to pay duties through a one-off settlement when they apply for customs clearance on the first occasion each month, no matter the frequency and times they import and export goods. It is hoped this will not only save time on customs clearance, but also assist businesses by making their cash flow more predictable.

Already, many businesses have taken advantage of the new measures.

Take BMW Brilliance Automotive for an example, which is a joint venture between BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings. In the past, BMW Brilliance needed to fill in 800 customs declarations in a month, but now all imports and exports are covered by one form, according to a manager at the company.

Second, 99 percent of the customs clearance formalities will be submitted electronically, shortening declaration times to two minutes from the previous 15 minutes, improving efficiency significantly.

Shenyang Customs is aiming to further streamline the process in the future, according to a customs official.