New regulations in China: end of “buy export” and tighter customs controls

October 10, 2025

The Chinese government has announced a major change that will directly impact the operations of international importers. Announcement 17/2025 will come into effect on October 1, 2025, introducing new restrictions on export processes and putting an end to a widespread but irregular practice known as “buy export.”

For years, many factories without export licenses used third-party documents to ship goods out of the country. Although tolerated in practice, this practice was never legal and created a high level of risk in terms of taxation, customs, and traceability.

Main changes to the regulations

  • Only companies officially registered with the Chinese authorities will be allowed to export.

  • The declared exporter must be the actual owner of the goods.

  • Agents who declare without identifying the exporter will bear the entire tax burden.

  • Controls will be strengthened by cross-checking tax, customs, and currency data to detect irregularities.

Recommendations for importers

To avoid blockages or penalties in their operations, importers are advised to:

  • Verify that their suppliers in China are duly registered.

  • Confirm that they issue their own customs documents directly.

  • Review their compliance and document traceability processes in each operation.

How automation can help you with compliance

With stricter controls now in place, having complete and accurate technical documentation is more critical than ever. With Zertify, you can:

  • Automatically generate technical files and declarations in accordance with regulations.

  • Ensure that your product complies with the legal requirements in Europe before importation.

  • Include all mandatory labeling and symbols.

  • Reduce the risk of penalties or blockages resulting from regulatory non-compliance.


The entry into force of Announcement 17/2025 marks a turning point in trade relations with China. Preparing with robust processes and relying on compliance technologies is the best way to ensure security and continuity in the international supply chain.

In a context where customs controls are being tightened, having complete and compliant technical product documentation will be key to avoiding blockages and penalties.

With Zertify, supported by AI, you can generate technical files, declarations, and mandatory labeling automatically, ensuring that your products comply with European regulations and are ready to pass any market control.

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