The Commodity Inspection Bureau is the former name of China's entry-exit inspection and quarantine authority, and now generally refers to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine department under the General Administration of Customs. Its core functions are to carry out statutory inspection, appraisal, and supervision of import and export commodities to ensure that they comply with national technical specifications, safety standards, and contractual requirements. Use scenarios include: inspection declaration for statutory inspection commodities (such as food, cosmetics, and dangerous goods), issuance of inspection certificates (such as quality certificates and weight certificates), and handling certificates of origin. Points to note: since 2018, the functions of the former Commodity Inspection Bureau have been merged into Customs, and the inspection declaration process has changed to "integrated customs declaration and inspection declaration," requiring enterprises to operate through the single window. Difference from the "CCPIT": the Commodity Inspection Bureau focuses on official inspection and supervision, while the CCPIT mainly issues ordinary certificates of origin. Difference from "third-party inspection agencies" (such as SGS): the Commodity Inspection Bureau represents government enforcement, while third-party agencies provide commercial inspection services. Foreign trade practitioners need to pay attention to adjustments to the statutory inspection catalog to avoid cargo detention or fines due to failure to declare for inspection.
📝 Examples
1. This batch of lithium batteries exported to the EU falls under the category of legally inspected commodities. We must apply to the Commodity Inspection Bureau for inspection and obtain the Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Outbound Goods before we can arrange shipment. (Note: Legally inspected commodities require a certificate from the Commodity Inspection Bureau for customs clearance.)
2. The importer requires a weight certificate issued by the Commodity Inspection Bureau as the basis for settlement. Therefore, we have commissioned the local Commodity Inspection Bureau to complete a draft survey weighing before loading at the port of shipment. (Note: A certificate from the Commodity Inspection Bureau can serve as a document for negotiation under a letter of credit.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
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