With the deepening implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the development landscape and management requirements of the international road transport industry have undergone significant changes compared to when the Regulations were first promulgated:
Expanding Transport Scope: Initially, China adopted a "fixed-point fixed-route" approach for cross-border transport cooperation. Now, it has established full-range and transit transport cooperation with seven countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan.
Significant Growth in Transport Volume: Since the implementation of the Regulations, bilateral intergovernmental agreements have been signed with 11 countries. Notably, over the past decade, China's international road freight volume has surged from 400 million tons in 2014 to 1.15 billion tons in 2024.
Broader Participation of Operators: The industry is no longer limited to border provinces; inland provinces have gradually joined, and foreign carriers have expanded operations into non-border regions of China.
Clarified Management Requirements: In 2019, border port vehicle entry/exit management was designated as a central government responsibility, with local authorities handling implementation under central oversight.
Since its enactment, the Regulations underwent only two minor revisions in 2022 and 2023 to align with updates to the Ordinance. To better adapt to new industry demands, a comprehensive revision is urgently needed.
The draft revision systematically adjusts and optimizes the original Regulations, with key modifications as follows:
1. General Provisions
Defines the legislative purpose, scope, development principles, and management responsibilities.
Key Revisions:
Classifies international road freight transport into three categories: general cargo, hazardous goods, and oversized cargo.
Requires compliance with international treaties, Chinese domestic regulations, and host country laws.
Expands provincial transport departments' duties to include delegated tasks and clarifies border port agencies' roles.
Encourages scale-based, dynamic-monitored operations.
2. Freight Management
Replaces permits with a filing system to reduce costs and strengthen post-event oversight.
Operators handling hazardous goods or oversized cargo must hold domestic licenses with at least three years of experience.
No separate conditions are set for specialized transport (e.g., cold chain), as existing agreements lack specific provisions.
3. Common Rules
Introduces periodic reporting by provincial departments and a major incident reporting mechanism.
Defines obligations of foreign vehicles and drivers in China.
4. Travel Permit Management
Clarifies issuance procedures for central, provincial, and border port authorities.
5. Border Port Inspections
Adds detailed checks for permits, vehicle conditions, driver qualifications, and cargo documentation.
Allows turning back non-compliant vehicles and prioritizes emergency cases (e.g., medical transport).
6. Supervision
Implements on-site inspections post-approval and integrates operators into credit assessments.
Non-border provinces' transport departments gain explicit oversight powers.
Repeat offenders face permit restrictions.
7. Legal Liability
Enhances penalties for foreign vehicle violations.
Attachments include updated forms for vehicle procurement, employment commitments, and route applications.
By refining classification, streamlining approvals, and strengthening safety measures, the draft ensures a more efficient, secure, and orderly future for China's international road transport sector.
This translation maintains the original structure and technical terms while adapting to English legal/regulatory conventions. Let me know if you'd like any section refined further.
Source: Ministry of Transport
