Two departments: Continuously optimize the inquiry and identification workflow, support enterprises in improving export compliance system development.

On October 19, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs published matters concerning the further optimization of the inquiry and identification work for dual-use item export controls. According to the announcement, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs will continue to optimize the inquiry and identification workflow, strengthen information technology development, increase policy publicity and guidance, and support enterprises in improving export compliance system development. When a consignor of export goods declares export and has not submitted to customs for inspection an export license issued by the Ministry of Commerce, if customs has evidence indicating that the export goods may fall within the scope of dual-use item export controls, it shall raise an inquiry with the consignor of export goods and issue the "Customs Inquiry Notice for Dual-Use Item Export Controls." During inquiries, identification, or related work, the consignor of export goods shall truthfully provide and supplement relevant materials as required, ensure that the content and data are true and reliable, and shall not refuse, obstruct, conceal, or provide false information. The original text is as follows: Announcement No. 52 of 2026 of the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs Publication of Matters Concerning the Further Optimization of the Inquiry and Identification Work for Dual-Use Item Export Controls In order to promote enterprise compliance trade, improve the level of facilitation of dual-use item exports, and further improve the standardization, scientific nature, and effectiveness of export control inquiry and identification work, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, the Customs Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, and other relevant provisions, the relevant matters are hereby announced as follows: 1. The Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs will continue to optimize the inquiry and identification workflow, strengthen information technology development, increase policy publicity and guidance, and support enterprises in improving export compliance system development. 2. When a consignor of export goods declares export, if it has not submitted to customs for inspection an export license issued by the Ministry of Commerce, and customs has evidence indicating that the export goods may fall within the scope of dual-use item export controls, customs shall raise an inquiry with the consignor of export goods and issue the "Customs Inquiry Notice for Dual-Use Item Export Controls" (Attachment 1). 3. The consignor of export goods shall, within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the "Customs Inquiry Notice for Dual-Use Item Export Controls," provide the following materials as required. The materials must be affixed with the official seal; if the materials are in a foreign language, a Chinese translation shall be provided at the same time: (1) Customs declaration form, export goods contract, invoice, and transport documents proving the flow of goods; (2) Statement of circumstances (including but not limited to stating the performance indicators and main uses of the goods, as well as the legal basis and factual reasons for believing that they do not fall within the scope of export controls); (3) Relevant technical materials proving the attributes of the goods (if there are inspection and testing reports, they shall be provided together); (4) Other materials required. 4. After receiving the materials provided by the consignor of export goods, customs shall make a determination. If necessary, the General Administration of Customs may request the Ministry of Commerce to organize identification, and shall handle the matter according to law in accordance with the following circumstances and issue the "Customs Inquiry Result Notification for Dual-Use Item Export Controls" (Attachment 2). (1) If it does not constitute a dual-use item, customs clearance procedures shall continue to be handled; (2) If it constitutes a dual-use item, it shall be handled in accordance with regulations; (3) Under other circumstances, it shall be handled in accordance with relevant requirements. 5. After receiving the customs identification request, the Ministry of Commerce shall organize experts to identify the items and, when necessary, may send them to relevant institutions for inspection and testing. 6. During the inquiry and identification period, customs shall not release the relevant export goods. If the consignor of export goods applies to split off other goods under the same customs declaration form that are unrelated to the goods under inquiry, after customs assessment and review and approval, customs clearance procedures may be handled separately. 7. Customs shall complete the inquiry determination or submit a request to the Ministry of Commerce to organize identification within 15 working days from the date of receipt of all materials provided by the consignor of goods. The Ministry of Commerce shall make an identification conclusion within 15 working days from the date of receipt of complete materials for organized identification. The time for the consignor of export goods to submit or supplement materials, and for inspection and testing of the goods under inquiry, shall not be counted in the above time limits; under special circumstances such as major or difficult cases, the time limits in the preceding paragraph shall not apply. 8. During inquiries, identification, or related work, the consignor of export goods shall truthfully provide and supplement relevant materials as required, ensure that the content and data are true and reliable, and shall not refuse, obstruct, conceal, or provide false information. 9. Exports involving dual-use items through channels such as cross-border e-commerce, passenger carrying, mail, and express delivery shall be implemented with reference to this announcement. 10. The identification and inquiry work involved in this announcement shall be interpreted by the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs respectively. This announcement shall come into force on the date of publication, and the "Announcement on Matters Concerning Customs Inquiries for Dual-Use Item Export Controls" (General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 123 of 2025) shall be repealed simultaneously. Attachments: 1. Customs Inquiry Notice for Dual-Use Item Export Controls 2. Customs Inquiry Result Notification for Dual-Use Item Export Controls Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs October 19, 2026 This article is excerpted from the official website of the "Ministry of Commerce." Edited by Feng Qiuyi, GMTEight.