SEAFOODNEWS.COM [163.com] Translated by Amy Zhong January 5, 2016
After the implementation of Free Trade Agreement between Australia and China, the first batch of salmon have been imported to Guangzhou at a decreased tariff rate.
On the morning of December 22, 2015, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has welcomed the arrival of 8600-kilo frozen salmon from Australia. They are the first batch of commodities that have enjoyed the cut of tariff rates after the implementation of the FTA between China and Australia since December 20, 2015.
With the rate decreasing from 10% to 8%, the relevant company has saved about six thousand yuan in this salmon import. China used to import salmon mainly from Chile and the long distance led to high transportation cost, said Mei from some customs clearance company in Guangzhou.
After the FTA between China and Australia goes into effect, it is certain that there will be drastic increase in the import of such fresh food from Australia as salmon.
This in turn cuts the annual cost of companies by as high as millions of yuan and the coming decline in tariff rates no doubt will benefit China, added Mei.
As to China’s consumers, the FTA will lower prices of such products as beef, dairy products, wine and lobsters in their purchase.
And tariff rates will decrease to zero for all China’s export to Australia within five years, which is great news for the development of China’s export companies and the industry as a whole.
According to the customs, China’s importers can get access to detailed information about the FTA and tariff decrease from the websites of General Administration of Customs as well as the fta (fta.mofcom.gov.cn). And the exporters can learn about specific tariff rates, Australia’s import declaration requirements, etc. from the website Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.