外汇局拟扩大跨境贸易高水平开放试点地区范围

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has released a draft notification aimed at facilitating foreign exchange fund settlement to support stable foreign trade development, with feedback due by October 5, 2025 [1] Group 1: Policies for Expanding and Improving Facilitation - Five policies focus on expanding and improving existing facilitation measures, including the expansion of cross-border trade high-level open pilot areas to more regions that meet national strategic development directions [2] - The types of net settlement for cross-border trade high-level open pilot areas will be broadened to include net settlement of funds related to transportation costs associated with goods trade [2] - Simplification of procedures for multinational companies regarding the centralized collection and payment of current account funds will be implemented to enhance settlement efficiency for quality multinational companies [2] - Foreign exchange use for salaries of foreign-related employees will be made easier, allowing direct bank transactions within a specified limit without prior approval [2] - Banks are encouraged to include more cross-border e-commerce platforms and foreign trade service enterprises, as well as their small and micro e-commerce clients, in the facilitation policies for trade foreign exchange receipts and payments [2] Group 2: Optimization and Improvement of Trade Foreign Exchange Management - Four policies focus on optimizing and improving trade foreign exchange management, including the enhancement of foreign exchange fund settlement for foreign trade service enterprises, allowing banks to process transactions based on electronic information such as orders and logistics [3] - The scope of service trade advance payment will be relaxed, enabling banks to facilitate payments for transportation and storage fees related to trade, provided there is a trade relationship between domestic and foreign entities [3] - Support for overseas fund centralized management for contracting engineering companies will be provided, allowing for cross-national and cross-regional fund allocation for trustworthy contracting firms [3] - A mechanism for handling special foreign exchange business under current accounts will be improved to enhance banks' autonomy and service levels in managing complex transactions, ensuring legitimate foreign exchange rights [3]