Goods are shipped from Xiamen Port to global destinations. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
In January, Xiamen Customs issued a total of 29,800 certificates of origin, worth 12.27 billion yuan ($1.67 billion). Of these, 20,100 certificates of origin benefiting from various free trade agreements were issued, amounting to 8.14 billion yuan.
In international trade, a certificate of origin is a crucial document for businesses to enjoy customs clearance facilitation and tariff preferences. It is often referred to as "paper gold" due to its significance, serving as a powerful tool for companies to enhance the international competitiveness of their products.
At the beginning of 2025, three years after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect and the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement was implemented, the content and quality of free trade agreements continue to improve and enrich.
For example, with the help of a certificate of origin, Schneider Electric Co Ltd has seen tariffs on its exported goods to ASEAN countries and Australia reduced from five percent to zero. In January alone this year, the company has enjoyed tariff reductions of over two million yuan in the importing countries.
Currently, companies can obtain certificates of origin immediately, anytime, and locally through the "intelligent enjoyment of tax benefits" model developed by Xiamen Customs.
Additionally, leveraging the newly launched China Customs Preferential Origin Service Platform by the General Administration of Customs, businesses can access a one-stop service for preferential tax rates, origin rule inquiries, and reminders for benefiting from preferential treatment during import processes.
