Tariffs policy smooths way for overseas artworks to show at CIIE

Art enthusiasts in China are enjoying international masterpieces at their doorway at the ongoing fourth China International Import Expo(CIIE), thanks to the smooth tariffs policy to the introduction of overseas artworks and cultural relics.

Art works and relics are among the new highlights at the CIIE this year following China's introduction of new policies to encourage the import of art and cultural masterpieces at the CIIE, the nation's top import-themed fair.

Applicable during the CIIE period, each participating overseas art institution is eligible for zero tariffs to introduce up to five cultural relic pieces.

Some 20 art institutions from 11 countries became beneficiaries of the latest policy and introduced an array of art works during this year's CIIE, which is projected to outrun last year in the number of both exhibitors and artworks with such favorable incentives.

Among the art works that benefited from the free flow process was Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama's sculpture Pumpkin.

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone allowed this art piece to be stored in the bonded area before it got through custom clearance, a move intended to safeguard "the value, privacy and security" unique to such delicate exhibit.

"We take a form of bonded commodity exhibition. After the enterprise pays the deposit in advance, the goods would be sent directly to the CIIE site from the bonded area," said Chen Liangjun, deputy director of the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone’s Bonded Supervision No.1 Division.

The Free Trade Zone and the International Bonded Artwork Service Center provided professional and considerate service for the Customs clearance, transportation and storage of artworks, Chen said, adding that after the CIIE is over, galleries and institutions will be able to extend their display for three months at the bonded art warehouse at the Shanghai FTZ.