Importing goods and customs clearance in China

If you want to ship your goods to China then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into China. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

Tell us what you want to ship and where to and we ask you all relevant questions to get to the most likely code.

Importing goods

Importing goods into China requires compliance with regulations set by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). The official GACC website provides information on duties, VAT, and import procedures: China Customs – English.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- Submit an Import Declaration electronically through China’s Single Window platform (China Single Window).
- Required documents include a commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list.
Import Duties and VAT
- Duties are calculated based on the HS code of the product. Use the Chinese tariff database to verify duties.
- VAT rates depend on the product category:
  - Standard VAT rate: 13%.
  - Lower VAT rate: 9% for goods like agricultural products, utilities, and certain services.
Additional Non-Financial Requirements
- Certain goods require additional permits, such as the CCC (China Compulsory Certification) for electronic products.
- For detailed requirements by product category, consult the Access2Markets portal (Access2Markets) or GACC’s product-specific guides.
Inspection and Clearance
- Customs may inspect goods to verify compliance. The normal processing time is 2-5 days, depending on documentation and inspection requirements.
Release of Goods
- Once cleared, goods are released and can be transported to their final destination in China.

Service Providers for Assistance

Sinotrans – sinotrans.com
China COSCO Shipping Logistics – coscoshipping.com
Dachser China – dachser.com
Toll Group China – tollgroup.com
Dragon Logistics – dragonlogistics.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, major couriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, and SF Express dominate the Chinese market. Typical shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

From the USA: ¥200-¥400 (€25-€50) for economy shipping.
From Europe: ¥150-¥300 (€20-€40) for economy shipping.

Express shipping (3-5 days) is available at higher rates. Rates vary widely depending on the service provider and urgency. Check directly with couriers for accurate pricing.

Convince foreign distributors with numbers, not with stories

Alfred Griffioen, founder of Exporteers

In the past 15 years me and my colleagues have approached hundreds of agents, distributors, importers and retailers worldwide for brand owners aiming to sell their products abroad. In 2012 a call was enough to get a meeting. Today, you first have to send your pitch — and then hope that someone will answer.

The distributors needed to reach your clients already work with your competitors. They have invested in marketing, stock and sales, and they are making money. Asking them to switch to you means asking them to start all over again.

My experience is that if you only send a website or product catalogue, answers are rare. Numbers make the difference. Show expected volumes, margins, sales effort and investment. Show that there is a business case for them, not just for you.

Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in China for your product?

The best way to find an importer in China is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in China?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in China or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in China to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in China look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.