The Yixing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau issued the first “China–Switzerland” free trade zone (FTZ) preferential origin certificate on July 4. A Yixing-based international trade company saved 20,278 yuan (US$3246) of tariffs on the female overcoats it exports thanks to the certificate, accounting for 18.7 percent of the goods value.
The China–Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) adopted enterprises’ independent statement for the first time to significantly facilitate trade and lower enterprises’ cost. Due to the restriction on country of origin, Chinese products cannot directly enter the EU market, so foreign trade enterprises have to export semi-finished products to Switzerland, process them there and then sell the finished goods to the EU. After the China–Switzerland FTA came into effect on July 1, 2014, foreign trade enterprises that export to Switzerland can perform electronic reporting and print the country of origin statement independently to be stamped without going to the issuing agency for a paper certificate. This largely shortens the time for issuing procedures and saves expenses on the issuance, certificate and traffic.
The Yixing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau has opened the inquiry hotline, green channel and special counters to handle application for and issuance of the country of origin certificate.
