China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone's pilot program on parallel imports of cars, which allowsdealers to purchase cars directly from abroad. [Photo/pdtimes.com.cn]

Containers are organized in stacks at the Yangshan Deep Water Port, part of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone in Shanghai. [Photo/VCG] 

The China Quality Certification Centre will also work with Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification & Tech Innovation Center Co Ltd, as well as Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Group Co Ltd to build a motor vehicle testing laboratory in Waigaoqiao, which will be specially used for the inspection of imported and exported cars. 

At present, the service is mainly provided by relevant testing and certification technology institutions. Due to the large demand, the whole process currently takes six to eight months. This effort will help reduce warehousing costs for automobile enterprises and then facilitate auto import and export in the Shanghai FTZ.

Hang Yingwei, head of Pudong New Area, said the signing of the memorandum is an important measure for the Shanghai FTZ to implement an open development concept, advance high-quality economic growth, and better serve the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. It will provide strong technical support for improving quality certification services and promoting the development of the automotive industry.

The National Certification and Accreditation Administration has supported Pudong in building the country's first public inspection and certification service platform demonstration zone since 2015. 

To date, Pudong is home to 12 national testing centers and 199 various other inspection and testing institutions. The establishment of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone Belt & Road Technology Exchange International Cooperation Center, its branch in the Middle East, and other agencies continue to improve the level of international trade facilitation.

The memorandum also proposes that import and export enterprises in the Shanghai FTZ, the Yangtze River Delta, as well as countries and regions along the Belt and Road route will receive training concerning laws, regulations, and business processes about compulsory product certification, and that they can enjoy personalized services. The provision of the services will rely on the Pudong Inspection and Certification Public Service Platform and the Shanghai Free Trade Zone Belt & Road Technology Exchange International Cooperation Center.