The Qualification Examination for Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Personnel was successfully administered

Release date: May 22nd, 2014

On May 17th, sponsored by China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association, the Qualification Examination for Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Personnel in the first half of 2014 was successfully administered by ATA in 26 test regions across the country. Over 10,000 candidates from inspection and authentication institutions and universities in China attended the exam. The launch of Shanghai Free Trade Zone, the rapid development of China’s foreign trade, and the increasing business activeness of third-party inspection and authentication institutions have led to a constant and great demand for professional import-export commodity inspection and authentication personnel, as well as a rise in the salary level of the industry, which make import-export commodity inspection and authentication the “new favorite” in the foreign trade industry.

According to the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Import-Export Commodity Inspection, Regulations for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Import-Export Commodity Inspection, Regulations of Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Institutions, and other related regulations, the employment threshold of the import-export commodity inspection and authentication industry is relatively high. According to the Regulations of Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Institutions, professional technical personnel who are engaged in inspection and authentication must acquire a qualification before employment. The inspection and authentication personnel are responsible for inspecting and authenticating commodities, which requires high qualification from the practitioners. AQSIQ (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China) sponsors the Qualification Examination for Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Personnel nationwide to ensure the service quality of inspection and authentication institutions, promote the healthy development of the inspection and authentication industry, ensure smooth import-export trade, and regulate the professionalization of talents on the inspection and authentication market.

At the briefing of New Regulations of Import-Export Commodity Inspection of Shanghai Free Trade Zone held on the 14th, Dong Chao, Deputy Director of Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau announced that after the trial implementation in Shanghai Free Trade Zone, new inspection and quarantine regulations, including the credit system of third-party inspection results, were expected to be the first achievements that could be copied and promoted in other port areas in the country. In addition, to promote diversified development of inspection and authentication market and encourage the development of third-party inspection market in Shanghai Free Trade Zone, the Special Procedures of Administrative Permission for Import-Export Commodity Inspection and Authentication Institution in China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone further relaxes the approval requirements: the vetting period is shortened by 15 working days; every application will be vetted by AQSIQ; natural persons are allowed to set up import-export commodity inspection and authentication institutions in the free trade zone.

A series of policies, such as simplifying vetting procedures and lowering entry threshold, have stimulated the demand for professional import-export commodity inspection and authentication personnel. It is learned that one more exam will be held in the second half of 2014; the registration is estimated to begin from the mid September.

(If there is any inconsistency or conflict between the English and Chinese versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.)