I. Introduction to the "Railway Fast Clearance" Business Model
"Railway Fast Clearance" refers to the business model of rapid customs clearance for railway entry and exit. This innovative supervision model was introduced by the General Administration of Customs (GACC) to support the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, further promote the growth of international railway combined transport trains, ensure smoother international logistics channels, and enhance the efficiency and facilitation of rapid customs clearance for domestic railway import and export goods. This model is tailored to the characteristics of container cargo in international railway transport.
Under the "Railway Fast Clearance" model, enterprises can handle manifest consolidation, shipment splitting, and amendments at the nearest local customs offices. The customs authorities will review, release, and nullify the electronic data of railway manifests to manage the supervision of transit transportation of import and export goods. Enterprises are not required to file separate declarations or undergo additional transit and nullification procedures, effectively reducing declaration costs and enhancing the efficiency of cargo transportation via train services.
II. Process for Handling the "Railway Fast Clearance" Business Model
(1) Application for "Railway Fast Clearance" business: Consignees or consignors of import and export goods, their agents, or persons in charge of inbound and outbound means of transport may apply to carry out the "Railway Fast Clearance" business via the international trade "Single Window" platform.
(2) Transmission of application information: For imported goods, the consignees or their agent shall transmit the Railway Fast Clearance application information to customs prior to the submission of the tally report. For exported goods, the consignors or their agent shall transmit the application information to customs after the electronic data of the pre-allocated manifest has been stored in the database.
(3) Transmission of cargo arrival and transport information: The person in charge of the inbound and outbound means of transport or the operator of a customs-supervised facility transmits electronic data such as the arrival (or departure) information and transport details of the inbound and outbound express cargo to the customs.
(4) Processing manifest procedures: The consignee, consignor, or agent of import and export goods may apply to the customs at the destination (or place of departure) for manifest consolidation and split shipment.
(5) Filing import and export customs declaration forms: Ensure standardized declaration by filling out customs declaration forms according to the prescribed requirements and uploading documents and materials related to the import and export of goods.
Note: If the import and export goods carried by railway trains are classified as restricted or prohibited for customs transit operations, the "Railway Fast Clearance" service cannot be conducted.
III. FAQs on the "Railway Fast Clearance" Business Model
(1) What are the available methods to apply for "Railway Fast Clearance"?
There are two methods. First, the railway department can submit a Railway Fast Clearance application to the customs through the 95306 platform of the China Railway Group based on the submitted international intermodal transport bill. Second, the import and export consignor, consignee, or their agent can initiate a Railway Fast Clearance application through the "Single Window" platform for international trade.
(2) Under the "Railway Fast Clearance" mode, where are goods inspections conducted?
Except where laws and regulations explicitly mandate inspections at entry and exit ports, outbound goods shall be inspected and cleared by the customs at the place of departure, while inbound goods shall be inspected and cleared by the customs at the designated destination.
(3) How to apply for the deletion of the "Railway Fast Clearance Mode" for export goods that have not undergone customs declaration?
If goods have not undergone customs declaration, and the enterprise wishes to apply for non-shipment of container goods or rescheduling of railway services, they can contact the platform company to submit a Railway Fast Clearance deletion application and proceed to the customs logistics management department for data review.
(4) How to apply for the deletion of the "Railway Fast Clearance Mode" for goods that have already been released for export?
If goods have been properly declared and released through customs but face issues such as container mismatching or inability to be shipped via the originally scheduled train, the enterprise must promptly contact the relevant customs departments, provide a detailed explanation of the situation and submit a deletion request. Customs will handle the matter based on the actual circumstances.
(5) How to handle abnormal situations in consolidated or split goods?
In cases such as non-shipment of consolidated or split goods or data anomalies, the platform company can contact the documentation management department to provide a deletion or modification form for manifest release. After submitting an application for the deletion of consolidated or split shipment data, they can proceed with subsequent operations like data modification.
(6) How to handle container replacement during transit of "Railway Fast Clearance" goods?
If it becomes necessary to break the seal, rearrange, or replace the container during transportation for any reason, the person in charge of the inbound and outbound means of transport shall notify the customs at the designated destination (or origin) location. Upon verification and approval by the customs at the place of shipment (or place of departure), the customs at the transit point will be coordinated to oversee the transshipment process, and written notification will be provided to the customs at the place of entry (or exit).
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