Trade Associations Report Deadline Extension in China

Last minute scrambling by two scrap recycling associations has bought scrap recyclers some time before being required to have their company’s registered to ship into China.

The concern by the two associations has accelerated over the past several weeks as the initial deadline, June 30, loomed. Another concern has been the fact that even as the initial deadline neared there was significant uncertainties about the registration process itself.

However, according to reports from both the Bureau of International Recycling and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, after meeting with the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the government agency announced that applications would have to be postmarked or receipted by a courier on or before July 20 and to allow registration by Sept. 1. After that time no scrap shipments will be permitted into China without a registration number.

According to ISRI, an official announcement on the extension is expected next week.

Addressing several other areas of uncertainty, the AQSIQ stated that applications must be submitted in Chinese or bilingually Chinese and English.

The two associations also submitted more than two dozen other questions surrounding the requirements to be registered. ISRI and BIR expect to have the answers to those questions by next week as well.