GACC Announcement No.14, 2016 on (Temporary Storage of Withheld Articles/Luggage of Passengers)

In accordance with Customs Law of the PRC and China Customs Measures on the Control of Inward/Outward Passenger Luggage (GACC Decree No.9), hereby announced are the matters concerning temporary storage of inward/outward passenger luggage temporarily withheld by the Customs:

1. In any of the following circumstances, inward/outward passenger luggage shall be withheld temporarily by the Customs:
(1) The passenger fails to pay duties on inward luggage as required;
(2) Inward/outward articles are controlled by license but the passenger fails to present the license onsite;
(3) Inward/outward articles are beyond reasonable quantity for self-use and therefore should be subjected to customs declaration formalities, which are not undertaken yet;
(4) Inward/outward articles are questionable in attribute or content and therefore should be identified or verified by authorities;
(5) Other articles that cannot be released for some time as per regulations

The temporarily withheld luggage may be stored by the Customs for some time, excluding the articles that shall be detained according to Customs regulations.

2. In any of the following circumstances, temporarily withheld articles may, as per Customs requirements, be returned by the passenger or be sent to special disposal at the expense of the passenger:
(1) Flammable and explosive;
(2) Toxic;
(3) Fresh, live, perishable, not suitable for long storage;
(4) Others not suitable for storage

3. As regards temporary storage of the withheld articles, the Customs shall issue an official Temporary Storage Proof to the passenger for confirmation.

4. Where the articles to temporarily store have flaws or damages, onsite customs officers shall note the flaws or damages on the Temporary Storage Proof which shall be confirmed by the passenger with his/her signature; regarding valuable articles or cultural relics, the Customs may confirm them by means of photographing and sealing.

5. When retrieving the articles from temporary storage, the passenger shall submit original Temporary Storage Proof and present his/her valid entry/exit permit. Where the retrieval is on commission, the commissioned agent shall submit original Temporary Storage Proof, letter of authorization issued by the passenger, entry/exit permit (copy) of the passenger, and the agent’s valid ID card.

6. The passenger shall complete all customs formalities regarding the withheld articles within three months from the date of temporary storage; if beyond the time limit, the Customs may dispose the articles according to regulations. The temporary storage period shall not include the period for authoritative identification and verification of the articles.

7. This Announcement shall enter into force as from 1 June 2016.

Annex: Temporary Storage Proof for Customs-Withheld Articles/Luggage (omitted)



General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
March 14, 2016