China Says It Received 'Positive' Feedback After Increasing Export Inspections
China has received “positive” feedback after increasing inspections of certain medical exports, a Commerce Ministry official said, despite reports of lengthy customs delays due to the measures. The measures, announced earlier this month, increased inspections of 11 medical goods after China received international criticism for the quality of the goods. “Since the implementation of the relevant measures, the effect has been obvious and the international community has made positive comments,” a ministry official said during an April 16 press conference, according to an unofficial translation of a transcript. “I would like to emphasize again that China does not and will not restrict the export of anti-epidemic materials.”
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Companies operating in China have faced exporting delays due to the inspections, which have led to a backlog of shipments (see 2004150034 and 2004130014). The restrictions have stranded U.S.-bound face masks, test kits and other medical equipment as “large quantities” of medical goods are sitting in Chinese warehouses and unable to receive official clearances, according to an April 16 report in The Wall Street Journal.
China said its customs authorities have “taken active measures to speed up customs clearance” but are still focusing on inspections to catch counterfeit goods and export violations. “We hope that the relevant national governments and buyers choose products that have been certified by Chinese regulatory authorities and qualified enterprises, and fully communicate with Chinese companies in terms of product standards,” the ministry official said.