Regulations on the Administration of Printing Industry of the PRC — Full English Translation (2001, Revised 2016)

Promulgated by Order No. 315 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China on August 2, 2001

Amended in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Amending Certain Administrative Regulations on February 6, 2016 (Order No. 666 of the State Council)

Effective: August 2, 2001

Table of Contents

Chapter I — General Provisions

Article 1 — These Regulations are formulated for the purpose of strengthening the administration of the printing industry, safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of citizens, legal persons, and other organizations, promoting the prosperity and development of the printing industry, and maintaining the order of the market economy.

Article 2 — These Regulations shall apply to the printing of publications, the printing of packaging and decorative printed matter, and the printing of other printed matter.

Article 3 — The State shall implement a licensing system for the printing industry. No entity or individual may engage in printing business activities without obtaining a printing business license in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

Article 4 — The publishing administrative department under the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of the printing industry nationwide. The publishing administrative departments of the local people’s governments at or above the county level shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of the printing industry within their respective administrative regions.

Chapter II — Establishment of Printing Enterprises

Article 5 — The State shall implement a licensing system for the printing of publications. No entity may engage in the printing of publications without obtaining a license, except as otherwise provided for in these Regulations.

Article 6 — The establishment of a printing enterprise shall meet the following conditions:

(1) having a name and articles of association for the enterprise;

(2) having a defined scope of business;

(3) having premises suitable for the business scope;

(4) having the necessary funds, equipment, and other production and operation conditions; and

(5) having a sound organizational structure and personnel.

Article 7 — An applicant for the establishment of an enterprise engaged in the printing of publications shall submit an application to the publishing administrative department of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the central government. The publishing administrative department shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the application, make a decision of approval or disapproval.

Article 8 — An applicant for the establishment of an enterprise engaged in the printing of packaging or decorative printed matter or other printed matter shall submit an application to the publishing administrative department of the local people’s government at or above the county level. The publishing administrative department shall, within thirty (30) days, make a decision of approval or disapproval.

Chapter III — Operation of Printing Activities

Article 9 — Printing enterprises shall conduct printing business activities in accordance with the law and shall not print publications, packaging and decorative printed matter, or other printed matter containing content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.

Article 10 — When accepting a commission to print publications, the printing enterprise shall verify the printing commission form affixed with the seal of the publishing entity, the printing authorization, the sample of the publication, and other relevant documents.

Article 11 — Printing enterprises shall register the name and address of the commissioning entity, the name or title of the printed matter, the specifications, the quantity, the date of printing, and other matters for each printing commission accepted, and shall keep the samples for inspection. The retention period for the registration records shall be two (2) years.

Article 12 — Printing enterprises shall not print publications, packaging and decorative printed matter, or other printed matter that are obscene, superstitious, or otherwise prohibited by the State.

Article 13 — Printing enterprises shall not sell, lease, lend, or transfer the printing authorization documents entrusted to them by the commissioning entity in any form.

Article 14 — Printing enterprises shall not retain, copy, or disseminate the samples or proofs entrusted for printing without the authorization of the commissioning entity.

Chapter IV — Legal Liability

Article 15 — Where any entity, without authorization, establishes a printing enterprise or engages in printing business activities without obtaining a license, the publishing administrative department shall ban it, confiscate the illegally printed matter and illegal gains, and impose a fine of not less than one (1) time but not more than five (5) times the illegal business amount. Where the illegal business amount cannot be calculated, a fine of not more than 50,000 yuan shall be imposed.

Article 16 — Where a printing enterprise prints publications, packaging and decorative printed matter, or other printed matter containing content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations, the publishing administrative department shall order it to cease the illegal act, confiscate the illegally printed matter and illegal gains, and impose a fine of not less than one (1) time but not more than five (5) times the illegal business amount. Where the circumstances are serious, the license shall be revoked.

Article 17 — Where a printing enterprise fails to keep the registration records or retain samples for inspection as required, the publishing administrative department shall order it to make corrections and give it a warning. Where the circumstances are serious, it shall order it to suspend business for rectification or revoke its license.

Chapter V — Supplementary Provisions

Article 18 — The printing of materials involving state secrets shall be governed by the relevant laws and administrative regulations on guarding state secrets.

Article 19 — These Regulations shall be effective as of the date of promulgation.

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