With the entry into force of the free trade agreement between Switzerland and China on 1 July 2014, it will thus be possible for the submission of data to the Chinese customs administration required under the agreement to be performed electronically too in the case of so-called “approved exporters”.
The free trade agreement between Switzerland and China provides that “approved exporters” may draw up declarations of origin as customs certificates of preference. “Approved exporters” are exporters to whom the customs administration has granted the right to attach declarations of origin to their commercial documents. The declarations of origin must contain serial numbers, which must be notified to the other customs administration separately. Both customs administrations have agreed that this information will also be submitted electronically, which significantly reduces the burden for companies and customs agents. The amount of data submitted in this way will not exceed the amount presented to customs authorities in hard copy during import assessments.
The obligation to physically present declarations of origin during import assessments is not changed in any way by this procedure. Other Swiss exporters must use special movement certificates (EUR.1 CN).
