Concerning the transport of dangerous goods, China has tightened its requirements in recent months. New binding rules or bans on the transport of highly toxic chemicals, as well as new customs regulations, should be explicitly observed.

Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road were already adopted in 2018, but these were not binding. The first binding administrative measure for the safety of the carriage of dangerous goods by road came into force on 1 January 2020. This measure, which has a comprehensive scope of regulation, must be applied and includes a list of proven infringements of the rules. With these regulations, China is moving closer and closer to the content of the ADR (Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road).

Chinese customs legislation

Since the beginning of 2021, a new customs regulation has been passed for the import and export of dangerous goods to China. The General Administration of Customs of the Peoples Republic of China (GACC) is responsible for inspecting imported and exported hazardous chemicals. Special mention should be made of Notice 129, which requires importers and exporters of hazardous chemicals to provide specific data relating to hazardous goods and chemical legislation. Also, declarations of conformity, inspection, and identification reports are needed. The UN specification marking of the packaging is also presented and is therefore required to a certain extent.

Regional transport bans

In addition, regional regulations have been adopted. The Yangtze River Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China came into force on 1 March 2021. It prohibits the transport of highly toxic chemicals through the ports of the Yangtze Basin, including the Waigaoqiao Port Area. It is prohibited to import or export the listed chemicals on this waterway or to use them for transit or transfer. Under Article 90 of the Act, infringements of the rules may result in fines, closures, or revocations of licenses.