The General Administration of Customs has revised the "Measures for the Administration of Credit of Enterprises Registered and Filed with Customs of the People's Republic of China," originally issued in 2021. The revisions focus on optimizing corporate credit ratings, establishing mechanisms for the repair of discredit information and corporate error tolerance, and further refining the scope of credit management application. Amid increasing external uncertainties and unpredictable factors, the key considerations behind this revision include adapting to the latest developmental requirements and stimulating the vitality of foreign trade entities through enhanced credit systems.
Lin Jiantian, Director of the Enterprise Management and Audit Department of the General Administration of Customs, stated that as China's national credit system construction deepens and the international mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) accelerates, the existing customs credit management framework—covering enterprise credit grades, certification, recognition procedures, management measures, and discredit information repair—has become inadequate. The newly revised measures, set to take effect on April 1st of this year, center on the AEO system. This system, advocated by the World Customs Organization, certifies enterprises with superior credit status, compliance levels, and security standards, granting them preferential treatment and facilitation.
Recent data shows that by the end of 2025, China had 6,876 AEO enterprises. Although they represent only 1% of all enterprises with actual import and export performance, they contribute nearly 40% of the nation's total trade volume. Cui Liqiang, Import and Export Customs Manager for the Northern Region of Lenovo Group, reported that obtaining AEO status has fundamentally restructured the company's global logistics system, leading to a qualitative leap in customs clearance efficiency. Following AEO certification, the number of import inspections for the company dropped significantly from 112 per year to just 5, with the inspection rate decreasing from 2.48% to 0.24%. This reduction in inspection rates minimizes the risk of delays at critical nodes of import declaration, resulting in a more stable and predictable supply chain logistics cycle, thereby enhancing the company's production stability and operational capabilities.
Benefiting from advantages such as lower document review rates and reduced physical inspection frequencies, AEO status serves not only as a "VIP pass" for domestic customs clearance but also as a "green pass" for expanding into international markets and boosting global competitiveness. In 2025, the average inspection rate for AEO enterprises was only 18.5% of that for regular enterprises. Over 56,000 shipments received priority laboratory testing, and more than 97% of AEO enterprises enjoyed conveniences such as "undergoing management-type verifications no more than once per year."
A notable highlight of the revision is the expansion of enterprise credit grades from three tiers to five. Customs has reclassified enterprises from the previous categories of Advanced Certification Enterprises (AEO enterprises), Regular Enterprises, and Discredited Enterprises into five groups: Advanced Certification Enterprises, Certified Enterprises, Regular Enterprises, Discredited Enterprises, and Seriously Discredited Enterprises. It is clarified that both Advanced Certification Enterprises and Certified Enterprises constitute China's AEO enterprises. Lin Jiantian described this as a pragmatic measure to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reflecting national policy guidance. Previously, some SMEs found the "Advanced Certification" threshold too high and difficult to achieve; the expanded credit grading now offers a more adaptable pathway for credit recognition, particularly for small and medium-sized foreign trade firms.
Given the high standards and numerous requirements for AEO certification, enterprises may occasionally encounter minor, unintentional, or incidental compliance issues in daily operations, such as improper document storage or lax control over business premises. Although such behaviors do not constitute discredit or serious discredit, they could previously lead to downgrading from AEO status to regular enterprise classification. The revised measures introduce an error tolerance mechanism, allowing enterprises to apply to customs for rectification. Upon review, customs may grant a rectification period of up to one year. During this period, the enterprise's credit grade is temporarily retained, but related customs clearance facilitations are suspended. Upon successful rectification, all privileges are restored; failure to rectify results in a downgrade.
Lin Jiantian emphasized that the core of the error tolerance mechanism is to "tolerate minor errors, prevent major mistakes, and promote rectification," aiming to minimize unnecessary disruptions to business operations caused by minor, unintentional violations. However, he stressed that this does not imply a relaxation of regulatory standards. Error tolerance is not indulgence but encourages self-correction, essentially offering trust and opportunity to compliant enterprises. For discredit and serious discredit behaviors, a "zero-tolerance" policy remains in effect, with strict legal actions including downgrades and joint disciplinary measures.
Additionally, the revised measures include adjustments and improvements in areas such as AEO enterprise review procedures, applicable entities, management measures, and credit record recognition. Lin Jiantian concluded that the revisions demonstrate care and empowerment for law-abiding enterprises while strengthening deterrence and constraints against violations. Customs will further leverage the fundamental role of credit in optimizing supervision, stabilizing foreign trade, and promoting development. Enterprises are encouraged to proactively focus on and enhance their credit profiles, striving to meet AEO standards. Through collaboration and synchronized efforts, customs and enterprises can jointly build a trustworthy and facilitative foreign trade environment.