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 The State Administration of Taxation  
Notice of the State Administration of Taxation Concerning Carrying on Implementation of Rules for the Implementation of the Measures 
of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Invoice  
Guo Shui Fa [1993] No.157  
(The Notice is omitted here)  
The State Administration of Taxation 
Dec 28, 1993  
Rules for the Implementation of the Measures of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Invoice  
Chapter I General Provisions 
Article 1   
The rules for implementation are hereby formulated in accordance with the stipulations of Article 44  of the Measures of the People’s 
Republic of China on Administration of Invoice (hereinafter referred to as the Measures) 
Article 2   
The seal used for supervising the manufacture of the nation’s unified invoices is the legal indication of the tax authorities’ management 
of invoice, its shape, specification, content and color are determined by the State Administration of Taxation. With the exception 
of approval granted by the State Administration of Taxation or by the branches of the State Administration of Taxation in various 
provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and by tax bureaus of various provinces, autonomous 
regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government (the State Administration of Taxation, the branches of the State 
Administration in various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and local tax bureaus 
of various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government are hereinafter referred to as 
provincial- level tax authorities) in accordance with their respective responsibilities, invoices should all be printed with the 
seal for supervising the manufacture of unified national invoices. 
Article 3   
The classification of the categories of invoices shall be determined by tax authorities at or above the provincial level. 
Article 4   
Invoice basically consists of triplicate forms, the first form is the invoice stub, the invoice maker retains the stub for future 
reference; the second form is the invoice form, the receiver uses it as the primitive voucher for paying or receiving money; the 
third form is the form for keeping accounts, the drawer uses it as a primitive voucher for keeping account. 
The basic forms of special-purpose invoices for VAT should also include the deducting form, the invoice receiver uses it as a voucher 
for deducting tax money. 
In addition to the special invoices for VAT, tax authorities at or above the county (city) level may increase or decrease the number 
of invoice forms in light of needs and determine their uses. 
Article 5   
The basic contents of invoice include name of invoice, track and number of word, the number and uses of invoice form, the client’s 
name, the bank of deposit and account number, the name of commodities and the project of business, measurement unit, quantity, unit 
price, amounts in words and figures, the drawer, the date of making out an invoice, the name (signature) of a unit or individual 
who makes out the invoice. 
Where there are withholding, collecting and levying taxes on a commission basis, the contents of their invoices should include the 
rates of taxes withheld, collected and levied on a commission basis and the amounts of taxes withheld, collected and levied on a 
commission basis. 
The special invoices for VAT should also include: the address, tax registration number, the rate and amount of VAT of the goods purchaser, 
the name, address and tax registration number of the goods supplier. 
Article 6   
The unified form of invoice used nationwide shall be determined by the State Administration of Taxation. 
The unified form of invoice used within the scope of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government 
shall be determined by provincial-level tax authorities. 
The form of invoice referred to in this Article include the variety of the invoice, the purposes, concrete contents, layout, specification 
and scope of use of various sheets of invoice. 
Article 7   
Units which have a fixed production and management site, complete financial and invoice management systems and a large invoice use 
volume may apply for printing invoice to be printed with the name of their own units; if unified form of invoice cannot satisfy business 
needs, unit may design invoice forms of their own units, but they must have the approval from tax authorities at or above the county 
(city) level, of which special invoice for VAT shall be decided separately by the State Administration of Taxation. 
Chapter II The Printing of Invoices 
Article 8   
“The special invoice for VAT shall be decided separately by the State Administration of Taxation” referred to in Article 7  of the 
Measures means that invoices are printed exclusively by the enterprise designated by the State Administration of Taxation. 
Article 9   
Enterprises printing invoices and enterprises producing special products for anti-fake invoices shall possess the following qualifications: 
 (1) 
Their equipment and technology level can meet the needs of printing invoices and producing special products for anti-fake invoices; 
 (2) 
Capable of guaranteeing supply in compliance with the demands of tax authorities; 
 (3) 
They have standard enterprise management and strict quality supervision system; 
 (4) 
They have a special workshop for production, special warehouse for storage, and special personnel in charge; 
 (5) 
Capable of strictly abiding by the stipulations on the printing of invoices and the production and management of special products 
for anti- fake invoices. 
Article 10   
Invoice printing permits and permit of the production of special products for anti-fake invoices shall be formulated and issued exclusively 
by the State Administration of Taxation. Tax authorities should regularly conduct supervision and examination of enterprises printing 
invoices and enterprises producing special products for anti-fake invoices, with regard to those who fail to meet the requirements, 
the tax authorities should disqualify them to print invoices and produce special products for anti-fake invoices. 
Article 11   
Enterprises printing invoices and enterprises producing special products for anti-forged invoices shall establish the following systems: 
 (1) 
Production responsibility system; 
 (2) 
Secrecy system; 
 (3) 
Quality inspection system; 
 (4) 
Custodian system; 
 (5) 
Other related systems. 
Article 12   
Before the printing of invoices or the production of special products for anti-forged invoices, the competent tax authorities should 
issue a notice concerning the printing of invoices or the production of special products for anti-forged invoices. Enterprises designated 
to print or produce shall perform such task in compliance with the requirements. 
The notice on the printing of invoices shall include clearly stated name of the invoice-printing enterprise, the name of the user, 
name, category, the sheet number, specification, color of invoice, the printed quantity, start-stop numbers, and the time and place 
of delivery. 
The notice concerning the production of special products for anti-forged invoices shall include such contents as the name of clearly 
state enterprises producing special products for anti-forged invoices, the name of special products for anti-forged invoices, major 
technical indices and quality requirements and annual planned output. 
Article 13   
The finished products completed by enterprises printing invoices and enterprises producing special products for anti-forged invoices, 
as well as special products for anti-forged invoices purchased by invoice-printing enterprises shall be properly stored in special 
warehouse after being checked and accepted in accordance with stipulations, and shall not be lost. Substandard and waste products 
shall be reported to tax authorities for approval and be destroyed in a concentrated way. 
Article 14   
The specific time, content and request of changing the printing plate at indefinite intervals shall be determined by the state Administration 
of Taxation. 
Chapter III Receiving and Purchase of Invoices 
Article 15   
Units which do not need to perform tax registration according to law but need to receive and purchase invoices may, in line with related 
stipulations of the Measures, apply to competent tax authorities for receiving and purchasing invoices. 
Article 16   
While unit and individual who apply for receiving and purchasing special invoices for VAT provide certificates stipulated in Article 
16  of the Measures, they shall provide the tax registration certificate (duplicate) stamped with the special seal confirming it 
or him being “ordinary VAT payer”. Non-VAT payer and small-scale VAT taxpayer confirmed by related stipulations on VAT shall not 
receive and purchase special invoices for VAT. 
Article 17   
The tax registration documents mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures refer to tax registration certificates (original and duplicate), 
and registered tax registration certificates (original and duplicate). 
Article 18   
The application for the purchase of invoices mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures shall include clearly stated name of the unit 
and individual, the trade they belong to and the economic type, the category, name, and quantity of the invoices they need and shall 
be stamped with the public seal of their unit and the seal of the person handling the matter. 
Article 19   
The ID card mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures refers to the resident ID card, passport, and work certificate of the person 
handling the matter as well as other documents capable of proving the capacity of the person handling the matter. 
Article 20   
The financial seal mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures refers to the special financial seal of the unit or other financial seals. 
Article 21   
The special invoice seal mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures refers to the financial seal for the unit which lacks (or finds 
it inconvenient to use) and the seal carved by an individual industrial and commercial household in accordance with the unified stipulations 
of tax authorities and stamped with such additional words as its name, tax registration number, special invoice seal used when receiving 
or drawing up receipts. The form and use method of the “special invoice seal” shall be determined by provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 22   
The die of the financial seal and special invoice seal provided by tax authorities for the unit and individual using invoice shall 
be preserved for reference. 
Article 23   
The contents of the invoice-receiving and purchasing book mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures shall include the name of the unit 
and individual using the invoice, the trade they belong to, economic type, the method of invoice purchase, the category of invoice 
ratified for purchase, the name of invoice, the receiving and purchasing date, the amount approved for purchase, start-stop number, 
record on breach of rules, signature (seal) of invoice receiver and purchaser, the tax authorities (seal) which verified and issued 
the invoice. 
Article 24   
The methods of invoice purchase mentioned in Article 16  of the Measures refer to supply in batch, handing in the old and buying the 
new or checking the old and purchasing the new. 
Article 25   
While selling invoices, the tax authorities shall charge production cost and management fees in accordance with the verified and ratified 
charging standard, and draw up a receipt for the invoice-buying unit and individual. The production cost and management fee shall 
be regarded as a special fund for special purpose and shall not be diverted to other purposes, provincial-level tax authorities shall 
formulate a concrete management system. 
Article 26   
Unit and individual who apply to the tax authorities for drawing up invoices shall all provide written certificates concerning the 
purchasing and market business and concerning their acceptance of services or other business activities. 
With regard to those who should pay tax according to the stipulations of the Tax Law, the tax authorities shall levy tax while drawing 
up a receipt. 
Article 27   
The guarantors mentioned in Article 19  of the Measures refers to citizens, corporations or other economic organizations with guaranteeing 
capability within the territory of China, state organs shall not act as guarantors. 
A guarantor who agrees to provide guarantee for the unit and individual receiving and purchasing invoice shall fill out a warranty. 
The contents of the warranty include: the object, scope, time limit and responsibility of guarantee as well as other related matters. 
The warranty takes effect only after it is signed and sealed by the invoice purchaser, guarantor and tax authorities. 
Article 28   
The “legal responsibility undertaken by the guarantor or by earnest money” mentioned in Clause 2 of Article 19  of the Measures means 
ordering the guarantor to pay fine or pay fine with earnest money. 
Article 29   
The concrete scope for providing guarantor or paying earnest money as well as the methods for providing guarantor or paying earnest 
money related to engaging in temporary business activities by spanning cities and counties within the province, autonomous region 
and municipality directly under the Central Government concerned shall be stipulated by provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 30   
The “invoice drawn up by the payer for the receiver under special circumstance” mentioned in Article 20  of the Measures refers to 
the invoices drawn up by the purchasing unit and withholding agent while paying personal money. 
Article 31   
Whether or not the retail sales of small amount of commodities or provision of minor services to individual consumers can be exempt 
from the drawing up of invoices one by one shall be decided by provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 32   
The invoices which do not conform to the stipulations mentioned in Article 22  of the Measures refer to invoices drawn up or gained 
whose manufacture should but has not gone through the supervision of tax authorities, or the items filled in are incomplete, the 
contents are untrue, the handwriting is illegible or lacks the stamp of the financial seal or special invoice seal, forged, invalid 
and other invoices inconsistent with the stipulations of tax authorities. 
Article 33   
Unit and individual who fill in and draw up invoices shall draw up invoices when business income is confirmed after the occurrence 
of business management. No drawing up of invoices is allowed before the occurrence of business management. 
Article 34   
After the drawing up of invoice, in case there is the return of goods already sold which needs the drawing up of red-character invoice, 
the original invoice must be recovered and the word “invalid” must be clearly stated or effective certificate of the other party 
should be obtained; when there are discount and allowance for sales, a sale invoice shall be re-drawn up after recovering the original 
invoice and the word “invalid” is clearly stated. 
Article 35   
Unit and individual, while drawing up invoice, shall fill in and draw up invoice in accordance with the number order, the items filled 
in shall be complete, contents shall be real, words legible, all sheets of invoice shall be duplicated, printed in one single time, 
the contents shall be completely consistent, the financial seal or the special invoice seal shall be fixed in all sheets of the invoice 
and the withholding sheets. 
Article 36   
Chinese languages shall be used in drawing up invoices. In national autonomous areas a nationality language commonly used in the locality 
may be used simultaneously. Enterprises with foreign investment and foreign enterprises may simultaneously use a foreign language. 
Article 37   
The “invoices turned out of computers” mentioned in Article 24  of the Measures refer to invoices printed by enterprises designated 
to print invoices with the approval from tax authorities and provided for computer to draw up. 
Article 38   
With regard to those who need to draw up invoices by spanning provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the 
Central Government in accordance with the needs of taxation management, the matter shall be decided by the State Administration of 
Taxation. 
Whether or not neighboring cities and counties in a province are allowed to draw up invoices by spanning provinces, autonomous regions 
and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be determined by provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 39   
The specified regions using invoices mentioned in Article 27  of the Measures include the regions stipulated by the State Administration 
of Taxation and provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 40   
The sample and use methods of invoice registration books, as well as the form and time limit related to reports on the use situation 
mentioned in Article 38  of the Measures shall be determined by provincial-level tax authorities. 
Article 41   
Unit and individual using invoices shall properly keep the invoices and shall not lose them. Those who lose the invoice shall submit 
a written report on the day of loss to the competent tax authorities and shall announce and declare its cancellation on such mass 
media as newspapers, magazines and television. 
Chapter IV The Check Up On Invoices 
Article 42   
The invoice-changing certificate mentioned in Article 33  of the Measures is used only within the scope of the county (city) concerned. 
When one needs to transfer the invoice out of the county (city) for examination, one shall contact the county (city) tax authorities 
and use local invoice-changing certificate. 
Article 43   
Real and false invoices shall be appraised by tax authorities. 
Article 44   
Unit which receives or keeps the invoice counterfoil shall, within 15 days after receiving the “verification card for filling in the 
invoice situation” from the tax authorities, fill in the related situation and return it to the department concerned, the pattern 
of the “verification card for filling in the invoice situation” shall be determined by the State Administration of Taxation. 
Chapter V Penalty Provisions 
Article 45   
In meting out punishment of acts violating invoice management regulations, the tax authorities shall notify the party concerned in 
written form of the decision on handling the case; they shall place the case on file for investigation and prosecution in regard 
to violation of invoice management regulations. 
Administrative penalty related to violation of invoice management regulations shall be decided by tax authorities at or above the 
county level; the value of fine or the amount of illegal gain to be confiscated that stands at less than 1000 Yuan may be decided 
by the tax office itself. 
Article 46   
The following acts belong to conducts of failing to print invoices and produce special products for anti-forged invoices according 
to stipulations: 
 (1) 
Enterprises not designated by provincial-level tax authorities but engage in unauthorized printing of invoices; 
 (2) 
Enterprises not designated by the State Administration of Taxation but engage in unauthorized production of special products for anti- 
forged invoices, or print special invoices for VAT; 
 (3) 
Forge or carve seals for supervising manufacture of invoices without authorization, forge or produce special products for anti-forged 
invoices without authorization; 
 (4) 
Enterprises printing invoices fail to print invoices in accordance with the “notice concerning invoice printing” or produce special 
products for anti-forged invoices in accordance with the “notice concerning the production of special products for anti-forged invoices”; 
 (5) 
Re-lending or transferring seals for supervising manufacture of invoices and special products for anti-forged invoices; 
 (6) 
Enterprises engaging in the printing of invoices and production of special products for anti-forged invoices fail to destroy waste 
(substandard) products and thus incur losses; 
 (7) 
Invoice users printing invoices without permission; 
 (8) 
Formulating a management system for the printing of invoices and production of special products for anti-forged invoices not in accordance 
with the stipulations of tax authorities; 
 (9) 
Other acts of printing invoices and producing special products for anti-forged invoices not in accordance with stipulations. 
Article 47   
The following acts belong to conducts of receiving and purchasing invoices not according to stipulations: 
 (1) 
Receiving and purchasing invoices from units and individuals other than tax authorities; 
 (2) 
Engaging in sales of and illegal trade in invoices without permission; 
 (3) 
Transporting and sheltering sham invoices; 
 (4) 
Providing invoices for or borrowing invoices from others; 
 (5) 
Stealing (usurping) invoices; 
 (6) 
Other acts of receiving and purchasing invoices not according to stipulations. 
Article 48   
The following acts belong to conducts of drawing up invoices not according to stipulations: 
 (1) 
Failing to draw up invoices, which should be done so; 
 (2) 
Filing in and drawing up invoice sheets that reveal the contents such as the amount of money in the upper and lower sheet, and the 
tax value of the sale item for VAT are inconsistent; 
 (3) 
The items filled in are incomplete; 
 (4) 
Obliterating invoices; 
 (5) 
Re-lend, transfer or draw up invoices on a commission basis; 
 (6) 
Tear off the invoice book and us the invoices without permission; 
 (7) 
Fabricate business activities, draw up false invoices; 
 (8) 
Draw up invoices which show the invoice and goods are inconsistent; 
 (9) 
Draw up invalid invoice; 
 (10) 
Unauthorized use of invoices drawn up by the region not designated; 
 (11) 
Make out other documents or blank notes (IOU) instead of invoices; 
 (12) 
Expand the scope for drawing up special invoices or special-purpose invoice for VAT; 
 (13) 
Fail to report on the situation regarding the use of invoice in accordance with stipulations; 
 (14) 
Fail to set up an invoice registration book in accordance with stipulations; 
 (15) 
Other acts of drawing up invoices in accordance with stipulations. 
Article 49   
The following acts belong to conducts of obtaining invoices in accordance with stipulations: 
 (1) 
Fail to obtain invoice which one should obtain; 
 (2) 
Obtain invoice inconsistent with stipulations; 
 (3) 
While obtaining invoice, one demands that the invoice maker alter the product name, sum of money or the value of VAT or one does all 
these on one’s own; 
 (4) 
Fill in or draw up invoices on one’s own and enter them into the account book; 
 (5) 
Other acts of obtaining invoices not according to stipulations. 
Article 50   
The following acts belong to conducts of not keeping invoices according to stipulations: 
 (1) 
Lose invoices; 
 (2) 
Damage (scrap) invoices; 
 (3) 
Los or scrap the counterfoil and invoice registration book; 
 (4) 
Hand in invoices for cancellation not according to stipulations; 
 (5) 
Enterprises which engage in the printing of invoices and production of special products for the anti-forged invoices lose invoices 
or the seal for supervising manufacture of invoices as well as special products for anti-forged invoices; 
 (6) 
Establish an invoice-keeping system not according to stipulations; 
 (7) 
Other acts of keeping invoices not according to stipulations. 
Article 51   
The following acts belong to conducts of refusing to accept the tax authorities’ check-up according to stipulations: 
 (1) 
Reject examination; 
 (2) 
Conceal the real situation; 
 (3) 
Create difficulties for and obstruct tax collectors from conducting examination; 
 (4) 
Refuse to accept the “invoice-changing certificate”; 
 (5) 
Refuse to provide related materials; 
 (6) 
Refuse to provide certificates confirmed by overseas notary organs or registered accountants; 
 (7) 
Refuse to accept inquiries pertaining to invoices; 
 (8) 
Other acts of failing to accept tax authorities’ examination according to stipulations. 
Article 52   
The “illegal carrying, mailing, transporting or storing blank invoices” referred to in Article 37  of the Measures include blank invoices 
manufactured under the supervision of tax authorities and forged false blank invoices. 
Article 53   
The illegal trade in invoices mentioned in Article 38  of the Measures includes the illegal trade in invoices, the special products 
for anti-forged invoices and fabricated false invoices. 
Article 54   
The confiscation of illegal gain mentioned in Article 36 , 37, 38, and 39 of the Measures refers to confiscation of the incomes gained 
from fabrication and illegal printing, production, trade, transfer, agency drawing up of invoices and untruthfully drawing up invoices 
as well as illegal carrying, mailing, transporting or storing invoices, seals for supervising manufacture of invoices or special 
products for anti-forged invoices and other acts contrary to the stipulations of the Rules. 
Article 55   
Cases concerning tax evasion resulting from violation of invoice management regulations shall be dealt with in accordance with the 
Law of the People’s Republic of China for Tax Management. 
With regard to serious cases of violation of invoice management regulations which constitute crimes, tax authorities shall transfer 
written reports to judicial organs for treatment. 
Article 56   
The “one may apply to the next higher tax authorities for reconsideration or submit the case to the people’s court” mentioned in Article 
40  of the Measures refers to that one may apply for reconsideration or submit the case to the people’s court in accordance with 
the time limit and procedures set in the Law of the People’s Republic of China for Tax collection and Management. 
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions 
Article 57   
The “specialized invoices” mentioned in Article 42  of the Measures refers to the deposit and loan, exchange, account-transfer voucher 
and insurance vouchers of state-owned financial and insurance enterprises; the postage stamps, mail sheets, telephone service and 
telegraph receipts; and passenger and cargo tickets handled by state- owned railway and civil aviation enterprises and state-owned 
highway and water transport enterprises under the communications department. 
The specialized invoices used by non-state owned units and individuals who operate the enterprises contracted or leased to them by 
the above- mentioned units or enterprises owned by the state but operated privately, as well as other invoices of the above-mentioned 
units shall be chromatographed with the seal for supervising manufacture of unified national invoices and shall be placed under the 
unified management of tax authorities. 
Article 58   
The “upper” and “lower” mentioned in both the Measures and the Rules for Implementation all contain this figure. 
Article 59   
Illegal acts related to invoices occurred prior to implementation of the Measures shall be dealt with in accordance with the stipulation 
of the then effective laws, administrative regulations and rules. 
Article 60   
The State Administration of Taxation shall be responsible for the interpretation of the Rules for Implementation. 
Article 61   
The Rules for the Implementation shall enter into force as of the day of the implementation of the Measures of the People’s Republic 
of China on Administration of Invoice. If the original related stipulations of various departments are contradictory to the Rules 
for Implementation, the matter should be dealt with in accordance with the Measures and the Rules for Implementation. 
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