As part of wider reforms for innovative scientific research within the Greater Bay Area, the Shenzhen Customs District announced a pilot program in which Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and 11 other research institutes across Shenzhen will be able to import scientific research equipment free of duty.

The announcement was held at SUSTech, with Deputy Director of Shenzhen Customs District Tu Lin and Director of the Office of Planning and Development & Major Projects Office Wang Susheng. Deputy Director of Shenzhen Customs District Zhong Yueyu presided over the announcement.

The Shenzhen Customs District has simplified customs and audit procedures to improve efficiency, and ensure that all duty-free imported scientific research equipment destined for registered research institutions reach their destination rapidly.

This reform greatly improves system processes by using electronic processing and autonomous assessment, while making research institutions certain that all relevant regulations are followed. The system also allows for the movement of scientific equipment to other registered users online, to maximize the use of equipment and therefore improving the Greater Bay Area’s scientific research potential. The ability to complete these processes online will see research institutions focus on their scientific research instead of their administrative burden.

Director Wang Susheng said that this was an important reform for Shenzhen Customs District to undertake, as part of its support for scientific and technological innovation. The reform will fundamentally solve previous concerns around the free flow of imported scientific research equipment, by effectively meeting their actual needs for rapid R&D. By optimizing the utilization of scientific research resources, Shenzhen will be able to realize the free flow of scientific research and innovation of its research institutions by further developing their technological innovation capability.

The director of the Customs Department said that scientific research institutions had not taken advantage of the tax reduction and preferential exemption policies available to them in the past. It was important to make the system convenient for them. Under this development, scientific research institutions will be able to take full advantage of the preferential policies available to them, thereby providing the scientific and technological support to help rapidly develop Shenzhen into a modern, international and innovative city.