The General Administration of Customs (GAC) announced that measures initiated by the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to simplify clearance procedures will be expanded to 51 special economic zones along the Yangtze river. They will also apply to special economic zones (SEZs) countrywide from September 3 and to areas beyond these zones from September 18. In April, Shanghai Customs launched 14 pilot measures to cut clearance costs and enhance efficiency of the customs process in the Shanghai pilot free trade zone (FTZ).