This is a speech made at “China Containers 2004” in December 2004.
China Containers 2004, an international symposium sponsored by IBC Asia (S) Pte Ltd, Singapore and supported by China International Freight Agency Association, was held at the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel, Beijing China, from Dec. 9th to 10th, 2004. The delegates from international shipping companies, logistics companies, related trade associations in China and research institutions and other specialized people attended this conference.
I. Summary of the Legal Structure of the Foreign Investment Logistics
1. Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9
(Nov, 11, 2001)
Area to be opened: a. Maritime Transport Services and its Auxiliary Service
b. Internal Waterways Transport
c. Air Transport Services
d. Rail Transport Services
e. Road Transport Services
f. Storage and warehousing services
g. Freight forwarding agency services
Investment Mode: foreigner holding proportion is restrained in most of above area; can not be the holding investor in some area.
Have time limitation for investors in some area.
2. State Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (Mar 11, 2002)
Generally goes with the WTO.
3. Circular on the Relevant Issues concerning the Experimental Establishment of Logistics Enterprises with Foreign Investment (June 20, 2002)
a. Investment Area: Jiangshu Province, Zhejiang Province, Guangdong Province,
Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Shanghai, Shengzhen
b. Investment Mode: Joint Venture
4. Comments on Promotion the Development of China’s Modern Logistic by National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce and other 7 National Administrations (Aug 5, 2004)
5. Detailed Regulations for Each Logistic Area
a) Maritime Transport Services and its Auxiliary Service:
Provisions of Administration of Foreign Investment in International Maritime Transport
(Feb 25, 2004)
b) Air Transport Services:
Administration of Foreign Investment in Civil Aviation (Jun 21, 2002)
c) Road Transport Services
Administration of Foreign Investment in Road Transport Services (Nov 20, 2001)
Supplement of Administration of Foreign Investment in Road Transport Services
(Dec 31, 2003)
d) Freight Forwarding Agency Services
Administration of Foreign Investment in International Freight Forwarding Agency Services
(Dec 19, 2001)
6. Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Annex 4 on June 29, 2003
Special Treatment towards investors from Hong Kong and Macau
7. Speeches by Government Officers as a reference
a. Comments on the Promotion of Chinese Modern Logistics (Aug 5, 2004)
Issued on Aug 5, 2004 by 9 governments such State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce and other commissions.
b. Deepening Reformation and Enhancing Promotion of China’s Modern Logistics
by Mr. Zhang Zhigang, vice Minister of Commerce Minstry
Issued in the Development and International Cooperative of Chinese Modern Logistics Seminar in Nov 4, 2004
II. Detailed Regulations of Each Field
A. Maritime Transport Services and its Auxiliary Service
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Chinese government has promised that China would open the area of Maritime Transport Services and its Auxiliary Service.
The International Transport here includes freight and passengers, less cabotage transport services; Auxiliary Service includes maritime cargo-handling services, customs clearance services for maritime transport, container station and depot services, Maritime agency services.
Provision of Administration of Foreign Investment in International Maritime Transport
(Feb 25, 2004)
Foreign Investment in Chinese international maritime transport service should compaly with this Provision, Regulations of Maritime and the Procedure of Maritime Regulation..
a. Investment Area:
1. International maritime transport of freight and passengers, international shipping agency services, international ship management services, loading and unloading of international shipments, and international maritime container freight station and container yard services
2. International maritime cargo warehousing services
3. Routine services for the vessels
b. Investment Form
1. International maritime transport of freight and passengers, international shipping agency services, international ship management services, loading and unloading of international shipments, and international maritime container freight station and container yard services:
Can establish sino-foreign equity joint venture or sino-foreign contractual joint venture with a maximum foreign investment of 49 percent of the total registered capital of the joint venture
2. International maritime cargo warehousing services
Can establish wholly foreign-owned enterprises or JV.
3. Routine services for the vessels
Can establish wholly foreign-owned enterprises or JV.
c. Investment Conditions
1. International maritime transport
i. shall have the vessels suitable for the management of International maritime transport, among which shall be Chinese vessels;
ii. have Bill of Lading, tickets or inter-model invoice;
iii. senior managers with qualified certificate by Ministry of Communication
iv. other conditions required by Laws and Regulations.
*Note: The chairman of directors and general manager of the Joint Venture should be appointed by the Chinese Party.
2. International Shipping Agency Service
i. shall have at least 2 people with more than 3 years’ experience in international maritime transport within the senior managers of the enterprises;
Senior manager means the Chinese citizen with a professional title above or at middle level works in international maritime enterprise or international maritime auxiliary enterprise with the position of or above the department manager;
ii. shall have a fixed premises and necessary business facilities, including the abilities of electron data exchange with the Government department such as Port Bureau or Customer;
iii. other conditions required by Laws and Regulations.
d. Governing Department and the Establishment Procedure
1. Governing Department:
National Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Commerce
2. Establishment Procedure:
Application to the Ministry of Communication for the Establishment
↓
Application for the Establishment to the Ministry of Commerce rely on
the approval document issued by the Ministry of Communication
↓
Business Registration in Administration of Industry and Commerce for
the Business License rely on the approval document issued by
the Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Commerce
↓
Application for Approval Certificate for International maritime transport
and International Shipping Agency Service /
International Shipping Agency Service
e. Business Term : no more than 20 years.
Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Annex 4 (June 29, 2003)
Hongkong and Macau investors can establish WOFE operating in International Ship Management,
International maritime cargo storage and international maritime container freight station and container yard services; WOFE shipping company.
B. Internal Waterways Transport
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Foreign investors are only allowed to take international transport business in the port opened to foreign vessels, that is to say, foreign vessels can not take the business of internal waterways transport between domestic ports.
Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment (Mar 11, 2002)
Water Transportation Companies are listed in the restricted items.
C. Airline Transport
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Only promised to open the area of aircraft repair and computer reservation system.
Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment (Mar 11, 2002)
Air transport, the construction and the operation of civil airport are both listed in the encouraged foreign investment industries, and should be JVs with the Chinese party as its holding party of the companies.
Administration of Foreign Investment in Civil Aviation (Jun 21, 2002)
Can invest in public air transport, the construction and the operation of civil airport, general aviation enterprises, and the related program of aviation transportation.
The investment areas are widened in this Administration compared with Protocal and Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment.
D. Rail and Road Transport Service
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Can invest in freight transportation by rail, freight transportation by road in trucks or cars.
Only allow the investment mode of JV, and foreign investment should be no more than 49%.
a. For rail transportation, three years after China’s enter of WTO, foreign investors can be the holding party of the JV; Six years after China’s enter of WTO, WOFE can be established.
b. For road transportation, one year after China’s enter of WTO, foreign investor can be the holding party of the JV; three years after China’s enter of WTO, WOFE can be established.
Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment (Mar 11, 2002)
Actually goes with the WTO.
a. For rail transportation, in Dec 11 2004, foreign investors can be the holding party of the JV; Dec 11 2007, WOFE can be established.
b. For road transportation, in Dec 11 2002, foreign investor can be the holding party of the JV; in Dec 11 2004 WOFE can be established.
E. Freight forwarding Agency Services
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Only promised that
a. upon accession, foreign freight forwarding agencies which have at least three consecutive years experience are permitted to set up freight forwarding agency joint ventures in China, with foreign investment not to exceed 50 percent;
b. with in one year after Can’s accession, foreign majority ownership will be permitted
c. with in four years after China’s accession, WOFE will be permitted.
Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment (Mar 11, 2002)
Listed in the Restrict Items of the Catalogue with a note that foreign ownership can not be more than 50% (express delivery can not be more than 49%); before 2002, foreign majority ownership will be permitted; WOFE will be permitted before Dec 11, 2005.
Administration of Foreign Investment in International Freight Forwarding Agency Services (Dec 19, 2001)
a. Investment Area:
By the authorization of goods receiver or a consignor, to deal with the international transport and the related business on the consignor’s name or its own name.
In detail:
i. Booking cabins, to consign for shipment, storage, package,
ii．Goods loading and uploading supervisor, loading, stripping, transit of container and related
short distance transport service;
iii. Clearance of goods at the Customer, appliance for chek，insurance;
iv. mend and make related tickets, invoice, delivery the freight fee, account balance, delivery miscellaneous fees or expenses；
v. Freight forward agent for international exhibits, private things and frontier transit.
vi. International multimode transport;
vii. International Express Delivery;
viii. Consultation and other international freight forward business
c. Investment Form
Contractual joint venture;
Equity joint venture;
WOFE.
d. Investment Conditions
i. Among the Chinese parties, there should at least be an International Freight Forwarding Agency with more than 1 year’s experience in this area, or an enterprise with an import and export certificate above 1 year, or a transport or storage enterprise with more than 1 year’s experience in its business.
ii. Among the foreign investors, there should at least be an International Freight Forwarding Agency with more than 3 years’ experience in this area, and the foreign investor satisfied this condition should be the majority shareholder among all the foreign investors.
iii. The Chinese parties and the foreign investors do not breach any industry regulations.
iv. shall have a minimum registered capital of USD 1 million.
v. at least 5 employees with more than 3 years’ experience in International Freight Forwarding Agency field;
vi. fixed business office;
vii. necessary communication, transport, loading and uploading, package facilitates.
*Note:
For the International Express Delivery business, the main shareholder shall have the
qualification with international express delivery business;
For those enterprise dealing with International Multimode Transport, shall have below conditions in addition:
1. have deal with the business more than 3 years;
2. have the agency net both abroad and at home;
3. the international transport agency bill of loading has already registered in the Ministry of Commerce.
d. Governing Department and the Establishment Procedure
1. Governing Department:
Ministry of Commerce
2. Establishment Procedure:
Application for the Establishment to the Ministry of Commerce
↓
Business Registration in Administration of Industry and Commerce for the Business License rely on the Approval Certificate for the Establishment of Foreign Enterprises and
the Approval Certificate for International Freight Forwards Agency
issued by the Ministry of Commerce
↓
Application for Approval Certificate for International maritime transport
and International Shipping Agency Service /
International Shipping Agency Service
d. Business Term: not more than 20 years.
Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Annex 4 (June 29, 2003)
Hongkong and Macau investors can establish WOFE operating in International Freight Forwards Agency business from 2004, with a minimum registered capital as same as domestic Freight Forwards Agencies as follows:
a. Maritime International freight forwards : RMB 5 million;
b. Aviation international freight forwards: RMB 3 million;
c. Land international fright forwards or International express delivery: RMB 2 million.
IV. Government Comments (both official and unoffical)
Comments on the Promotion of Chinese Modern Logistics (Aug 5, 2004)
Issued on Aug 5, 2004 by 9 governments such State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce and other commissions.
The approval procedure before the Business Registration in Administration of Industry and Commerce will be cancelled; cancel the administrative approval for domestic rail freight forwards, waterway freight forwards, multimode transport fright forwards.
Deepening Reformation and Enhancing Promotion of China’s Modern Logistics
(Nov 4, 2004)
by Mr. Zhang Zhigang, vice Minister of Commerce Minstry
Issued in the Development and International Cooperative of Chinese Modern Logistics Seminar in Nov 4, 2004
The speech reveals that the government will reduce and cancel the administrative approval in Logistics area, simplify Customs procedures, and the government encourages famous foreign logistics enterprises to invest in China.
V. Foreign Investment in Ports
Protocal on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China to the World Trade Organization Annex 9 (Nov, 11, 2001)
Not listed in Protocal.
Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment (Mar 11, 2002)
Construction and management of public dock facilities of ports are listed in the encouraged items; there is no additional stipulation about the investment formality, investment period.
There is no detailed law and regulation stipulate that whether wholly owned foreign port can be established, some regulation has once stipulate that foreign investors can only invest in private dock owned by cargo owners. However, in some province wholly owned foreign invested public dock.
Law of Ports (Jun 28, 2003)
Administration of Ports Management (Apr 15, 2004)
*Note: above is the newly promulgated law and regulations in this area, and foreign investment in ports area should comply with these articles.
Investment Area:
i. Provide dock, anchorage and other facilitates;
ii. Provide waiting room and get on and off board facilities service;
iii. Provide loading and unloading, storage, lighterage, container yard and package service;
iv. Provide push and pull service for ship entering and exit port;
v. Provide tally service such as counting and check the surface conditions of goods during the process of goods delivery and receiving ；
vi. Provide electricity, fuel, daily supplies and other daily service;
vii. Rent and maintaining service for dock facilities and machineries.
相关法律服务
杨春宝一级律师简介
杨春宝一级律师，大成上海高级合伙人、资本市场部主任、国资基金研究中心主任，大成中国区私募基金专业带头人、科技与文化法律研究中心联合牵头人。执业30余年，长期从事私募基金、投融资、并购重组法律服务，尤其对对赌研究颇深且具有非常丰富的实战经验，并专注于金融机构股权投资业务。2004年起多次入选The Legal 500"私募基金"和"公司与商业"等境内外各类律师榜单，代理的中国法院首例适用外国法律审理外国公司的董事损害小股东权益纠纷案入选上海高院发布的《上海法院域外法查明典型案例》和威科先行"要案头条"。入选上海涉外法律人才库、上海市司法局鼎新法治人才库、上海国有企业改制法律顾问团，具有上市公司独立董事任职资格，系多家知名高校的兼职教授或兼职研究生导师及上海市商务委跨国经营人才培训班讲师。出版《私募股权投资基金风险防控操作实务》等16本投融资法律专著。了解更多常见法律问题
外资进入国际海运业务有何持股限制？
【法律概念与规则解释】在中国外商投资航运物流领域，准入规则通常由加入世界贸易组织承诺、外商投资产业指导目录以及分行业管理规定共同构成。国际海运及辅助服务属于逐步开放领域，外资并非在所有细分业务中都能控股或独资。规则的核心在于区分业务类型设置持股上限、组织形式和经营条件，其中部分业务要求中外合资，部分业务允许外资独资，且对中方委派关键管理人员、船舶来源和专业人员经验设有要求。理解这些规则是判断投资架构合法性的前提。【案件事实与实务场景引用】文章指出，国际海上货物与旅客运输、国际船舶代理、国际船舶管理、国际装卸、国际海运集装箱货运站和堆场服务，可设立中外股权式合资或契约式合资企业，但外资投资不得超过合资企业注册资本的百分之四十九；国际海运货物仓储服务、船舶日常服务则可设立外资独资企业或合资企业。对于国际海运，企业需拥有适合国际海运管理的船舶，其中应包括中国籍船舶，并具备提单、客票或多式联运发票，高级管理人员须持有交通主管部门认可的资格证书；合资企业董事长和总经理应由中方委派。国际船舶代理则要求至少两名高级管理人员具有三年以上国际海运经验，并有固定营业场所和与港口、海关等部门电子数据交换的能力。【实务指引与风险提示】实务中，投资者应在项目初期区分拟从事的是国际海运、船舶代理、仓储还是船舶日常服务，因为不同业态对应不同持股上限和设立形式，不能以一套控股架构覆盖全部业务。若拟进入百分之四十九上限的业务，应在合资协议中明确中方委派董事长和总经理的安排，避免治理权争议。同时要核查船舶来源、提单与发票体系、高管资质和电子数据交换设施等准入条件是否能在申请前落实，否则可能影响交通主管部门和商务主管部门的审批。经营期限不超过二十年以及后续变更、延期问题也应在投资协议中预先安排，防止因期限届满或股权调整导致经营中断。
外资航运企业设立审批流程如何？
【法律概念与规则解释】外商投资航运物流企业的设立通常涉及行业准入审批、外商投资审批和市场主体登记三个层面。行业主管部门负责判断申请人是否符合海运、船舶代理、船舶管理等专业条件；商务主管部门负责外商投资准入和设立审批；工商行政管理机关负责企业登记并颁发营业执照。审批顺序具有前置性，未取得行业主管部门批准文件，通常无法进入后续外商投资审批和工商登记。该流程体现外资准入与行业监管双重管理的特点。【案件事实与实务场景引用】文章披露，国际海运及辅助服务的主管部门为国家交通主管部门和商务主管部门。设立程序为：先向交通主管部门提出设立申请；获得交通主管部门批准文件后，再凭该文件向商务主管部门申请设立；随后凭交通主管部门和商务主管部门的批准文件，向工商行政管理机关办理企业登记并领取营业执照；之后还需申请国际海运和国际船舶代理业务批准证书。文章还提到，国际海运业务的经营期限一般不超过二十年。国际船舶代理申请时，企业需要提交至少两名具有三年以上国际海运经验的高级管理人员情况，并有固定营业场所和必要业务设施，包括与港口局、海关等部门进行电子数据交换的能力。【实务指引与风险提示】实务操作中，投资者应把审批链条作为项目时间表的核心，先确认拟投业务是否属于允许类、限制类或需特殊承诺的领域，再准备交通主管部门关注的专业材料，如船舶配置、中国籍船舶安排、提单和发票体系、高管履历与资格证书、营业场所和电子数据交换设施。随后再准备商务主管部门需要的外商投资文件，最后办理工商登记和业务批准证书。常见风险包括先签租赁合同或购置资产后才发现行业审批无法通过，或高管资质、船舶来源不满足要求导致申请被退回。还要注意中外合资企业中方委派董事长和总经理的要求，以及经营期限届满后的续期安排，应在合资合同和章程中提前设计，避免审批与治理安排脱节。
港澳投资者投资航运物流有哪些特殊待遇？
【法律概念与规则解释】在内地与香港、澳门更紧密经贸关系安排框架下，港澳投资者在部分服务贸易领域可享受优于一般外国投资者的准入待遇。该安排通过附件形式列出具体开放承诺，允许港澳服务提供者在特定航运物流业务中以独资形式设立企业，或降低合资、持股和地域限制。其法律性质属于区域经贸安排下的优惠待遇，适用主体需符合港澳投资者或港澳服务提供者身份认定，并非所有境外投资者都能自动援引。企业设计投资架构时，应区分一般外资与港澳资本适用的不同规则。【案件事实与实务场景引用】文章提到，根据二零零三年六月二十九日的更紧密经贸关系安排附件四，香港和澳门投资者可以设立独资企业，经营国际船舶管理、国际海运货物仓储、国际海运集装箱货运站和集装箱堆场服务，也可以设立独资航运公司。相比一般外资在国际海运及辅助服务中通常受合资形式和百分之四十九持股上限约束，港澳投资者在这些列举领域获得独资安排。文章还指出，该安排是对香港和澳门投资者的特殊待遇，与加入世界贸易组织承诺、外商投资产业指导目录以及海运、道路、航空、货代等行业规定共同构成投资法律环境。【实务指引与风险提示】实务中，拟利用该安排的投资者首先应确认自身是否符合香港或澳门投资者、服务提供者的认定条件，包括注册地、实质经营和业务范围等，不能仅因在港澳注册就当然享受优惠。其次，应把拟经营业务与附件四列举范围逐项对应，国际船舶管理、国际海运货物仓储、集装箱货运站和堆场、独资航运公司等属于文章明确提到的领域，超出范围仍按一般外资规则审查。再次，在设立文件中应明确独资形式、业务范围和经营期限，并预留与交通、商务、工商等审批登记环节的衔接安排。风险点在于身份认定材料不足、业务描述过宽导致审批机关认为超出优惠范围，或误以为港澳资本可豁免行业专业条件；实际上船舶、高管、场所和电子数据交换等准入条件仍需满足，经营期限等限制也应纳入商业计划。
以上内容仅供参考，不构成法律意见。如需专业法律服务，请联系杨春宝一级律师：chambers.yang@dentons.cn
