Shanghai Customs delegates power to boost biomedical industry

Shanghai Customs officers examine biomedical products. [Photo/Pudong Fabu]

The customs authority of the Waigaoqiao Bonded Zone of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone recently issued the first health quarantine approval certificate for D-class special articles to Siemens Healthineers Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co.

It was a result of Shanghai Customs' efforts to advance reforms in delegating power, streamlining administration and optimizing government services, as well as to boost the development of the biomedical industry.

Starting Nov 1, Shanghai Customs has delegated its power over the approval of entry and exit health quarantine for D-class special articles to eligible subordinated customs authorities.

"The delegation of approval power has greatly saved our time and costs," said Chen Yanping, senior logistics manager of Siemens Healthineers Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co.

The reform also benefited Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tech Co., which gained an approval certificate from Pudong customs within 24 hours. 

"It has helped us reduce time and costs and enhance confidence in delivering rush orders from overseas," said Cai Jian, the company's logistics manager.

According to the customs authority of Waigaoqiao, enterprises can apply for approval for D-class special articles via China International Trade Single Window system, which will automatically distribute applications to corresponding subordinated customs institutions. 

The authority has selected customs officers with medical and bio-medical backgrounds for approval, promoted policies and improved approval efficiency in order to offer a better business environment and facilitate the innovative development of bio-medical companies.

Special articles include microorganisms, human body tissue, biotic products, blood and its products. The customs authority divides the articles into four classes - A, B, C and D based on different risk levels. 

The D-class special articles refer to biotic and blood products with lower risk used for precaution, diagnosis and treatment, which have gained the Imported Drug Registration Certificate or Sale Certificate for Exportation.