Chongqing- The Sichuan-Chongqing integration cooperation memorandum of Customs and Banks--KEY Interworking was officially launched on September 8, granting an "e-port card" to the first two pilot enterprises in Chengdu and Chongqing, respectively of the project.

Three measures on innovative customs

Sichuan-Chongqing integration of "Customs and Banks--KEY Interworking" is an innovative measure of customs supervision by China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, jointly launched by Chongqing Customs and Chengdu Customs with the authorization of China Electronic Port Data Center and China Construction Bank (CCB) Sichuan Branch and Chongqing Branch.

Operating trans-customs “e-port card” business

It embodies innovation in three aspects, including realizing the trans-customs operation of the "e-port card" business.

Chongqing and Chengdu Customs realized the trans-customs operation of the "e-port card" business for the first time in China through intercommunication of the data sub-center system.

Enterprises from the two places can choose to handle e-port business, including making and issuing "shared shields," as well as adding, unlocking, changing information, and renewing certificates in Sichuan or Chongqing based on their business needs.

Enriching the business handling outlets

Other measures include introducing the third-party institutions of the bank to enrich the business handling outlets.

Through the in-depth cooperation between the customs and the CCB, enterprises can handle e-port business in the data centers of Sichuan and Chongqing and the cooperative agent outlets of CCB.

Furthermore, they can also handle e-port business online through the official website of China Electronic Port. The "center plus outlets, integrating online and offline" multi-track parallel mode enhances convenience for enterprises in both places to handle business.

Expanding the financial attributes of "e-port card"

Expanding the financial attributes of "e-port card" also serves as the key to innovative customs.

Through integrating the technology of "one shield and two certificates" and launching the "shared shield," companies can log on to the China International Trade Single Window and other platforms to handle their customs business through their "e-port card." 

Meanwhile, online banking for enterprises, cross-border financial comprehensive service platforms, enterprise mobile banking from CCB, and other channels can also handle financial services.

This "one-stop" service will meet the comprehensive business needs of enterprises for accessing the Internet through e-ports and handling online financial business.

Greatly-improved business efficiency

Hongfujin Precision Electronics (Chengdu) Co., Ltd. was granted an "e-port card" as a pilot enterprise of this project. It is a company registered in Chengdu and has lots of business relations with Chongqing.

"In the future, we can apply for the e-port business at local offices in Chongqing without having to go back and forth," said Tan Libin, Head of Central Customs Affairs at the company. "This will greatly save costs and improve the efficiency of business handling."

At present, more than 2000 enterprises in Sichuan and Chongqing have trans-regional import and export business requirements within the scope of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle.

After implementing this project, it can save nearly 1000 yuan (approx. 155 U.S. dollars) for enterprises to handle one single business and reduce the business handling time by more than 2/3.

Enhance the mutual level of connectivity

According to local officials, the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is in the key period of making a breakthrough and achieving overall development.

Next, Chongqing and Chengdu Customs will continue to strengthen cooperation, constantly optimize their port business environments, promote the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and collaborative opening demonstration zone of Sichuan-Chongqing Pilot Free Trade Zone, enhance the level of connectivity.

Creating an integration between Sichuan and Chongqing, both parties will jointly boost the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, allowing it to be better integrated into a dual-cycle development pattern relying on domestic and international domestic and international economic cycles.

(Peng Qin, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)