On July 10, China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) held a press briefing to outline the latest progress in customs-based intellectual property (IP) protection. Held under the theme "Strengthening Customs IP Protection to Support High-Quality Foreign Trade" and coinciding with the 26th World IP Day, the briefing was led by Lin Shaobin, Director-General of the GACC's General Department of Comprehensive Affairs, who detailed the current state of China's customs IP protection framework, enforcement priorities, and international cooperation.
According to the figures released, 2025 saw IP customs recordal approvals surpass 30,000 for the first time, reaching 35,200 — while customs authorities nationwide seized 86.42 million pieces of IP-infringing import and export goods over the year. Both figures marked record highs, capping off the 14th Five-Year Plan period on a strong note. The momentum has carried into 2026: in the first quarter alone, 6,901 IP recordal applications were approved, giving the 15th Five-Year Plan period a solid start.
Five Pillars of a Full-Chain Protection System
Targeted enforcement in emerging sectors. Customs authorities have launched dedicated enforcement campaigns covering artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and biopharmaceuticals, with particular attention to infringement risks in cross-border e-commerce and market-procurement trade. More precise risk-assessment models have been developed to detect and disrupt fragmented, small-batch smuggling schemes designed to evade detection, helping preserve a level playing field in foreign trade.
Proactive support for brand development. Customs has prioritized brand protection for goods such as solar components, marine parts, and new-energy vehicle parts. Through policy briefings and consultations, authorities are proactively gathering rights-holders' concerns from both domestic and foreign enterprises, helping them strengthen protection of their rights and build international brand recognition.
Smarter customs clearance through technology. The "Smart IP" initiative continues to advance, with upgrades to the IP customs recordal system and the introduction of measures such as blanket guarantees, pre-confirmation, cloud-based rights verification, and a "whitelist" mechanism for compliant enterprises. Big data analytics and AI-powered image recognition are being used to sharpen the detection of infringing goods while reducing unnecessary inspections for compliant businesses — improving the overall clearance experience.
Deeper cross-agency coordination. Customs has established joint enforcement mechanisms with market regulation, copyright, and public security authorities to combat infringement collaboratively. It also maintains close coordination with IP authorities, industry associations, and rights-holder organizations to foster a market environment that rewards innovation and fair competition.
Expanding international cooperation. China Customs continues to fulfill its international obligations, maintaining close communication with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It has also deepened practical cooperation with customs authorities in the EU, Russia, South Korea, and other countries and regions — covering data exchange, joint enforcement, emergency response, information sharing, capacity building, and enforcement exchanges — contributing Chinese experience to global IP governance.
Looking Ahead: A More Stable, Transparent, and Predictable Business Environment
From rising recordal numbers to record enforcement volumes, from targeted action in emerging industries to deepening international cooperation, China's customs IP protection system is becoming increasingly refined, technology-driven, and globally connected. For domestic and foreign innovators continuing to invest in the Chinese market, a steadily strengthening customs IP protection mechanism translates into lower costs of enforcement, faster clearance, and a fairer, more predictable business environment.
Source: http://zhs.customs.gov.cn/zhs/2026-07/10/article_2026071018053230664.html
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