The latest products by German chemical manufacturer BASF Greater China entered the Indonesian market with zero tariffs thanks to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Preferential Tariff Certificate Of Origin issued by Shanghai Customs.

BASF, a major foreign investor in the country's chemical industry, set up the first joint venture in China in Shanghai's Pudong New Area back in the 1980s. As one of the first enterprises in Shanghai recognized as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), BASF and its subsidiaries can enjoy more efficient integrated tax collection and management provided by the local customs bureau.

Official data released that in the first 10 months of the year, Pudong Customs helped with more than 4,000 shipments of imported goods declared by BASF Greater China and handled 5,839 certificates of origin for its affiliated enterprises.

Givaudan, the world's biggest flavor and fragrance maker, established its headquarters in Pudong in 1995 and is also a beneficiary of the preferential customs policy. This year, the import and export value of the company's Shanghai processing trade was 273 million yuan ($39.24 million), up 25.48 percent year-on-year.

"The local customs authorities have attached great importance to the development of headquarters enterprises, and offered us great help in our company's foreign trade," said Wu Chongqing, chief operating officer of Givaudan China.

Pudong's efforts in optimizing its customs have attracted an increasing number of multinational corporations to set up their headquarters in the area. Twenty-four MNCs have launched their regional headquarters in Puodng, bringing the total number to 413, accounting for nearly half of the city's total.