"Since the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement took effect on July 1, this is the eighth certificate our company has requested." Ningbo Customs issued a China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin for a shipment of motor parts the company exported to Serbia. Zhou Xiaoli, the company manager, noted that with this certificate, these parts qualify for zero tariffs upon import in Serbia, resulting in tariff savings exceeding RMB 50,000 for the Serbian importers.

Beilun Customs carries out verification of the origin of exported Serbia at Minth Group. Photo by Zhao Yuechen

To help businesses capitalize on the latest policies, Ningbo Customs has proactively worked with local authorities to host a seminar focused on the import of products from Central and Eastern Europe. This event addressed key issues like product entry, inspection and quarantine requirements, and customs procedures. A special session was dedicated to the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, where details such as tariff rates, scope, and rules of origin were explained to ensure businesses fully and swiftly benefit from the agreement's preferential tariffs. From January to July, Ningbo Customs conducted 15 training sessions on FTA policies, benefiting over 1,500 individuals from more than 1,000 companies.

"Serbian wines, favored by Chinese consumers due to Serbia's ideal climate and winemaking expertise, will see import tariffs phased to zero over five years under the FTA," said Guo Xiao, general manager of Ningbo Xiangmiao Technology Co., Ltd. "Our company also plans to import other premium agricultural and food products from Serbia, such as fresh blueberries, in the future."

Beilun Customs carries out origin verification at Ningbo Boling Electric Appliance Co., Ltd. Photo by Zhao Yuechen

Ningbo Customs actively utilizes the China-CEEC Customs Information Center as a pivotal connector, enhancing China-Serbia bilateral trade and facilitating the import and export of goods from Central and Eastern Europe. The center has released 821 articles including China-Serbia trade news, interpretations of customs policies, and guides for customs clearance. It also offers 317 China-Serbia trade-related indices and 627 digital earth data points to support trade analysis.

For the newly approved Serbian fresh blueberries, the Information Center has expanded the "One-Stop Shop for Central and Eastern European Goods Import" application feature, incorporating a guide for the import fruit customs clearance process to simplify procedures for businesses. By the end of July this year, the center has posted 18,000 articles in Chinese and English, attracting 2.623 million website visits.

In the first month of the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, Ningbo Customs issued 40 origin certificates, supporting goods valued at approximately RMB 16.9955 million, including electrical equipment and automotive parts.