Chinese Officials Increasing Inspections at Ports

The Bureau of International Recycling reports that Chinese custom officials are carrying out intense investigations within the domestic non-ferrous scrap industry. The Chinese government has expressed the belief that some importers are attempting to avoid paying full duties and other tariffs by means of not properly declaring the values and/or metallic content of scrap.

Anti-smuggling units from various jurisdictions have visited a number of scrap yards throughout China. To secure evidence, customs have also requested information from some representative offices of foreign companies.

Because of the intense investigations, there are reports that port congestion have increased, and BIR members report that buyers have been unable to clear customs properly.

The BIR is attempting to find out more information on the export situation, although the association will refrain from commenting on internal investigative activities

In the meantime, BIR members exporting to China are requested to strictly follow all the rules and regulations pertinent to proper classification, grading and documentary protocol. Details on regulations for shipments to China are available on the BIR website www.bir.org.

The association also stresses that scrap companies based in Europe or wishing to export recyclables/scrap from an EU member state are advised to abide by the recently published EU regulations.