CHINA
Goods Documents required Customs Prescriptions Remarks
General remark regarding Inbound Air shipments: For Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing APOE, we recommend no food stuff, no wine/alcohol, no cosmetics, no health products or toiletries in inbound air shipments.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 1
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Removal goods - personnel of foreign representative office, joint venture, wholly owned company
Documents required
Import Permit (Customs Sealed Letter) is required for customs clearance. Documents required for Import Permit are as follows: Passport with Residence Permit (valid period should be no less than 1 year) Alien Employment Permit (valid period should be no less than 1 year) Representative Card (required for foreign representative office) Companys Customs Registration Book Companys Business License (required for Joint Venture or wholly owned company) Application Form with clients signature and companys chop Inventory packing list and OBL/AWB for all incoming shipments
Customs Prescriptions
Remarks
This category applies to expatriates employed by and working for foreign representative office, joint venture, or wholly owned company REGISTERED in the city where they will reside in China. Also, it is assumed they will be resident in China for at least three months. Note that customs officers are given broad discretion, and actual procedures may vary from city to city. Contact your agent for current advice. Effective September 2001, Customs in Shanghai require an original passport to be provided during the Customs inspection for all outbound sea shipments belonging to non-Chinese residents. The 'Baggage Declaration Form' is required by some cities only. For more details, please check with your agents in the area. For Dalian, all sea shipments arriving via POE Dalian must be weighed and the weight on the OBL must be the actual weight. Dalian Customs weigh all shipments and discrepancies if any between declared and actual weight can lead to delays and extra charges arising from additional customs inspections.
'Baggage Declaration Form' Two copies need to be completed identically and handed to the Customs officials to get stamped. The form returned to the shipper should be forwarded to his destination agent for clearance of his goods. Note: For exit through the Green Channel, the card will simply be collected. To obtain the Baggage Declaration Form with customs chop, exit should be through the Red Channel!
Application for Alien Employment Permit and the Chinese Residency Permit are issued within approx. 3-4 weeks after arrival to China. AFTER issuance of the Residency Permit, the expatriate applies for import permit of his/her personal effects/household goods to the local Customs Bureau. ANYTHING listed and approved in the application may be imported within the next 6 months only. All shipments are subject to inspection by local Customs. Effective from 1st January 1995, all electrical appliances, furniture, lighting fixtures, foodstuffs, bedding, wine/alcohol included in shipments of household & personal effects will be subject to import duty. All electrical items must be clearly indicated on the inventory with its model, serial number & size (if applicable). All video tapes/CD must be clearly indicated on the inventory. Such items will be subject to an estimated 2-3 weeks inspection by Customs Bureau. Any items containing pornographic and subversive material will be confiscated and a fine may be levied on the owner. Asian/Chinese antiques must be indicated on the inventory with a separate demand to local Customs to register them for re-export. There is no guarantee that such items will be allowed out of the country. Importation of Asian/Chinese antiques into China is not recommended. Fax machines, photocopy machines are NOT ALLOWED in personal shipments.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 2
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Visas
Documents required
China continues to have restrictions on issuing Multiple Journey/Entry Visas to all foreigners. The maximum duration of stay for business visa holders and for tourist visa holders will be determined by the Chinese consulate overseas as to whether the visa will be issued for 30, 60 or 90 days respectively.
Customs Prescriptions
Remarks Invitation Letter" should be applied at The Bureau of Foreign Trading and Economic Corporation of Guangzhou Municipality, if the inviting company is a Municipal enterprise; Invitation Letter should be applied at Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Corporation of Guangdong Province, if the inviting company is a Provincial enterprise. There should be little impact to the overall application and immigration process however there is expected to be an additional application processing fee of approximately RMB 1,000 for the later. Other cities in Guangdong Province dont have such regulation.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 3
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Removal goods Personnel from News Agency.
Documents required
Import Permit is required for customs clearance. Documents required for Import Permit is as follows : Passport with Residence Permit Journalist Card News Agency Certificate Customs Registration Book Customs Application Form with clients signature and News Agency chop Inventory packing list and OBL/AWB for all incoming shipments Original Delivery order for sea and copy of arrival notice for air
Customs Prescriptions
Customs regulation is same as foreign enterprise expatriate.
Remarks
For Shanghai: For air shipments whose owner holds Z visa (employment/work visa): An import permit is mandatory. To apply for the import permit, the original passport (with residence permit) and original work permit are required to present to Shanghai Customs. Shanghai Customs will hold the original documents from the shipper for about 2-3 working days. For air shipments whose owner holds F visa (business visa) or L visa (travel visa): The passport copies (with passport photo page, latest entry stamp page within the recent 1 months and visa page) would be enough for the clearance purpose. But the shipment cannot exceed 350 Kgs Gross, and there is restriction on the import items, i.e. books, Discs and electrical items. Please contact your agent for details.
Removal goods Returning Chinese
No need to apply for Import Permit. The original passport is required by the Customs. It will take about 5-10 working days for clearance purpose.
Customs regulation is same as foreign enterprise.
In some cities there is a weight allowance limitation and items importation limitation on returning Chineses household goods importation. Please check with your destination agent for further information.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 4
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods Documents required Customs Prescriptions Remarks
Please note the following regarding shipments to China for returning Chinese Nationals POE SHANGHAI. This is applicable for returning Chinese nationals without proof of foreign residency (e.g. Green Cards). The import application of returning Chinese national with proof of foreign residency is same as foreign passport holder. If following items are included in a sea shipment, additional explanation letters and special approval from Senior customs official needs to be obtained: For Returning Chinese - Anything over 10 books will be dutiable, and an explanation letter is required. -The explanation letter needs to be as detailed as possible, stating where the books where purchased (China or abroad), how many books, what titles and the value of the books. If books are related to work / study. Novels and entertaining literature would cause problems. - should not be more than 50 books. For Returning Chinese - Anything over 20 pcs will be dutiable. - Explanation letter has to be issued, stating on where the discs were purchased, and what titles. - should not be more than 100 pcs. In some cities there is quantity limitation on the books importation to China for Foreign Passport holders as well, please check with your destination agent for further information.
Books
Documentation that we would need to provide, to support the appeal to customs: Original Passport with entry exit stamps indicating at least one year residence overseas. Original -completed Baggage Declaration Form and stamped by customs upon entry (This is a MUST for returning Chinese) Business License (Copy with Company Chop) - if not available, we might need to issue an explanation letter on why not... Employment Letter from the company Explanation Letter needs to be handwritten in Chinese by the shipper.
CD-DVD
In some cities there is quantity limitation on the CD/DVDs importation to China for Foreign Passport Holder as well, please check with your destination agent for further information.
Furniture
For shipper entering from Hong Kong: Orig. "Tong Xing Zheng"
- There has been a ban on import on furniture for returning Chinese always, but it has never really been enforced before. Customs is now enforcing this regulation strictly. - Import can be tried with explanation letter; special approval needs to be obtained from Senior Customs official.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 5
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Piano
Documents required
Customs Prescriptions
Potential issues here. Please request information before dispatching shipments.
Remarks
Removal goods Diplomatic personnel
Import Permit is required for customs clearance. Documents required for Import Permit is as follows: Diplomatic Card Passport Original AWB/or OBL with embassys chop Shipment arrival notice from local shipping agent (both for sea and air shipment) Inventory packing list with embassys chop Application form with authorised signature from Embassy and embassys chop. I/P has to be applied by Embassy. Import Permit is required for customs clearance. Documents required for Import Permit is as follows: Inventory packing list Pro-forma invoice Original AWB/OBL Companys Business License Companys Customs Registration book Application form with companys chop Importing items list approved by customs (applicable to J-V or wholly owned company)
No customs inspection on diplomatic shipment. No duty on diplomatic shipment.
Office items
Office items are subject to be inspected and dutiable.
Office items importation to China is complicated due to the Quarantine Regulation; please contact your agent before despatch.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 6
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Cars and Mini-vans.
Documents required
Import Permit is required for customs clearance. Documents required for Import Permit are the same as household goods. Effective January 01, 2008, any automobile imported into China that was manufactured prior to January 1, 2005 must comply with Euro IV standards and requires an environmental and mechanical inspection.
Customs Prescriptions
Import restrictions are governed at the local level. Import duty and taxes are applicable and duty free for diplomats.
Remarks
Contact your agent for specific advice and information. Non-Diplomatic Cars and Mini-vans importation to China is very complicated; please contact your agent before despatch.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 7
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Food.
Documents required
Must be dry goods in original/sealed packaging, canned or vacuum packed. Cannot be fresh, dairy, eggs, honey, unprocessed grains; seeds; nuts, live plants/bulbs or any perishables (no live animals or fresh milk). Milk powder is not allowed. Chicken essence, beef or chicken extract not allowed. No meat products and/or meat by-products allowed. This includes all forms of pet food. For Beijing, no alcohol.
Customs Prescriptions
Only a small quantity of acceptable foodstuff for private consumption can be sent within the following parameters, e.g., one small carton for an air shipment and two-three small cartons for a sea shipment (nothing by air to POE Chengdu) Food, essence or extract from eggs including egg white, poultry and birds found in any of the food items from the following 21 countries will be confiscated and destroyed. Quarantine Division may add more countries to the list if there is a spread of the bird flu. 1. Cambodia, 2. Chile, 3. Greece, 4. Hong Kong, 5. Indonesia, 6. Italy, 7. Japan, 8. Kazakhstan, 9. Laos, 10. Malaysia, 11. Mongolia, 12. Pakistan, 13. North Korea, 14. South Korea, 15. Romania, 16. Russia, 17. South Africa, 18. Thailand, 19. Turkey, 20. USA, 21. Vietnam
Remarks
Shanghai Customs pulls all food items from both Air and Sea shipments inbound to China. While this is still not occurring on all shipment to Shanghai, we recommend not to include food in Air or Sea shipments if possible. Other China location: The inclusion of food items remains a case by case event for other areas of China with respect to Air and Sea shipments. Customs duties/taxes are currently based on 10% of the declared value (maybe USD0.70 per chargeable kilo at some airports) subject to customs discretion. Customs reserve the right to levy higher duties/taxes on what is deemed as commercial quantities. Food items invite inspection by customs / quarantine division and may delay the clearance. Undesirable items will be confiscated / destroyed without any explanation or refund. Entire shipment may be placed into quarantine inside the customs bonded warehouse for an indefinite period. Additional charges incurred for the quarantine, trucking etc., may amount up to USD500.00 depending on the period and the size of the shipment.
Weapons, imitation weapons, ammunition, drugs, pornographic and politically subversive material.
Import strictly forbidden.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 8
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Pets
Documents required
Documents required are the same as household goods if the pets coming to China by cargo.
Customs Prescriptions
Import restrictions are governed at the local level.
Remarks
Check with your destination agent for specific advice and information.
Computers
PCs with encryption capabilities require approval of software prior to importation. Import of normal PCs and laptops with simple password software for e-mail, windows, Microsoft outlook, etc. as part of a HHG shipment would however not be a problem. Please contact your agent for more details.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 9
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Fumigation of imported wood packaging material
Documents required
Customs Prescriptions
Effective January 2006,The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People China requires that wooden packaging material imported into China be either heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and properly marked . The new measure follows ISPM-15 (International standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication 15) Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (aka NIFM-15) to standardise the treatment of wood packing materials used for the transport of goods. The wood packing material must be marked in a visible location on each article, on at least two opposite sides of the article with a legible and permanent mark in black ink. Labels and adhesives are not allowed. The mark should be as follows:
Remarks
WPM exempt from this regulation includes: 1. Manufactured wood materials such as plywood, particleboard, oriented strand board and fibreboard. 2. WPM consisting entirely of wood pieces less than 6mm thick in all and any dimensions, including sawdust, wood-wool and paring etc If you have questions, please contact agents in China or consult the ISPM publication 15 at: https://www.ippc.int/servlet/CDSServlet?status= ND0zNTIyNSZjdG5faW5mb192aWV3X3NpemU 9Y3RuX2luZm9fdmlld19mdWxsJjY9ZW4mMzM 9KiYzNz1rb3M~
Where XX is the country code, 000 the producer number, YY the treatment type, and AAA the inspection agency logo.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 10
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
CHINA
Goods
Dutiable Items
Documents required
Customs Prescriptions
Starting from Jan. 1, 07, shipper needs to pay 30% of customs duty on his/her golf clubs if he/she importing golf clubs in his or her household goods shipment to China. Estimated customs duty amount is USD230/set
Remarks
Antiques
Private Export of Relics earlier than 1911 will not be Allowed Outside of China The 60th reigning year of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty, or 1795 was the previous standard for relics being exported from China. All relics made or produced before that year were and still are prohibited from being exported. However, this standard has been changed to 1911. 1911will replace 1795 as the new time standard for relics being exported out of China. Furthermore, for those important relics, the year limit is set to 1949; and for important relics and fine arts by the ethic minorities, the limit is 1966. Relics restricted in this revised regulation will include porcelain ware, gold ware, silverware, copperware and some other metal wares; jade ware, lacquer ware, glassware, carvings and sculptures of all materials; furniture, handwritings, calligraphies and paintings, rubbings, books, documentations, weaves and embroideries, cultural equipment, postage stamps, currencies, appliances, handicrafts and fine arts, etc. Any customers wishing to import in to China items of Chinese origin that could fall under the new regulations, must register them with the authorities prior to customs release. Anyone not doing so may have great difficulty in later re-exporting these items when they leave China.
Updated version December 2010
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of The FIDI Global Alliance. 11
This document is produced based on the information supplied at the mentioned date. It is recommended to verify this information with a FIDI-FAIM agent prior to shipping. The FIDI Global Alliance cannot take responsibility for the contents of this publication.
