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.

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.

Customs looks at three things

Whatever you ship, customs checks the same three things. The classification: the HS code that sets the duty rate. The customs value: the price plus, depending on the Incoterm, transport and insurance. And the origin, which can lower the rate under a trade agreement.

On top of that come the registrations: an importer number or EORI, a VAT registration or a local importer of record, and product certificates for food, cosmetics, medical devices and electrical goods.

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.

Get your HS code VAlidation Report for only € 39

Importing into China in three steps

Step 1

Classify and check

Determine the HS code for every product, look up the duty rate, and check which certificates or approvals the country asks for before you ship anything.

Step 2

Arrange papers

Make sure there is a registered importer, and prepare the invoice, packing list, transport document and, where it lowers the duty, a certificate of origin.

Step 3

Ship and clear

Let a customs broker file the declaration, pay duties and import VAT, and keep the documents. Customs audits can go back several years.