China to cut import firms' tax burden by 225 bln yuan in 2019

China's customs will significantly cut VAT rates for its import enterprises in 2019, the latest move to reduce the financial burden of enterprises.

The total VAT reduction in imports will reach around 225 billion yuan (about 33.5 billion U.S. dollars) this year, after the implementation of lower VAT rates on April 1, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Taxpayers currently subject to the 16-percent VAT rate on their imported goods will enjoy a 13-percent VAT rate, while those who are subject to the 10-percent VAT rate will only need to pay 9 percent, the administration said.

The VAT rates have been reduced from 17 percent and 11 percent, to 16 percent and 10 percent since May 1, 2018, respectively.

The VAT rates of imported retail goods from cross-border e-commerce will also be lowered to boost domestic consumption, which will cut the consumer burden by 1.35 billion yuan this year, the administration said.

China has pledged to launch large-scale tax and fee cuts this year, reducing tax burdens and social insurance contributions of enterprises by nearly 2 trillion yuan, according to the 2019 government work report.