Is cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) unimpeded for foreign products into China ?
The PRC authorities have approved new e-commerce rules which will come into effect on January 1, 2019. The original CBEC grace period is going to expire on December 31 this year. There will be regulations and standards to regulate the quality and safety of foods, supplements, and cosmetics imported through cross-border e-commerce.
The new regulation requires e-commerce sites to abide by import and export administrative rules. The new regulation covers customs clearance, taxation, inspection and quarantine, and payment methods to regulate cross-border e-commerce (CBEC). The authorities said that the arrangements are meant to make the processes of CBEC more convenient, improve monitoring procedures, and facilitate information exchange.
The regulation might affect special purpose foods, supplements and functional foods international firms that making business via CBEC platforms. For instance, goods such as infant formula would need to be registered with the CFDA before they are imported into the country.
According to the data collected, milk powders (including milk), foods, diapers, health products and cosmetics, are CBEC products that have accumulated the most complaints.