Customs Information

China - Foreign Citizen

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS China

  • Customer MUST arrive in China before shipment arrival, In order to complete Import Formalities.
  • Each packed box in the shipment should have the passport name of the importer clearly written on the outside for customs to see during exam. If no name on the boxes in the shipment, customs will require the importer to physically come in for customs clearance.
  • Before the shipment is allowed to leave the origin country, our agent in China must have confirmation from the local employer that the Work Visa and Residence Permit will be ready by the time the shipment arrives into China. Validity should be 365 days or more for both.
  • According to the policy, permits with a validity of less than 365 days are considered short-term and are subject to full duties. The maximum allowance is 2 cubic meters, excluding furniture and electrical items.
  • Every shipper must apply for the Import Permit through the local Customs Bureau in the city where the residence visa and employment permit are issued. The Import Permit can only be applied for after the shipment has actually arrived.
  • The Import Permit application can take 3-5 working days to be approved by local Customs Bureau. During the application of the Import Permit, the shipper’s passport, residence and employment permits will be kept by the Customs so please do not make any travel planes during the application process.
  • After the Import Permit is approved, Customs Clearance for an air shipment can take 5 to 7 working days, and for sea shipments it can take 7 to 10 working days, which includes customs physical inspection as well as the quarantine inspection. Shipments are subject to 100% quarantine inspection and physical inspection.
  • Only one air and one sea shipment may be imported within 6 months of customer’s arrival date.
  • All wooden packing material must follow the "International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM No. 15). The new rule requires all wood packaging material (WPM) associated with consignments to China should be treated and labeled with IPPC mark by the manufacturers. Any non-compliance WPM will be treated, destroyed, or returned with the consignments together under the supervision of China's Inspection and Quarantine. 
  • The import of any luxury or high-value items into Beijing must be declared to Customs and the owner of the goods must have documented proof of value (i.e. receipt): For foreigners any item over the value of RMB 5,000 (approximately US $730).
  • It is recommended that each antique included in the shipment is photographed.
  • All electrical items must be clearly indicated on the inventory, including model, serial number and size.
  • Duty rates for air shipments are usually 30% higher than sea shipments.
  • It is recommended that food items, alcohol, cosmetics, health products and toiletries are not included in air shipments to China. Any household goods / personal effects shipment containing food products will be subject to quarantine inspection and customs examination. This process is expected to add 2-3 weeks to the customs clearance procedure and will result in additional handling and storage charges. Currently, this regulation has only been announced in Beijing but we strongly recommend that no food is included in any shipment to China as the regulation is likely to be applied to other locations in due course.
  • Import duties for alcoholic beverages are extremely high and beverages are not recommended for inclusion in the shipment. Sea shipments with alcohol: Beijing does not recommend to bring any alcohol; Shanghai allows maximum 2 bottles for Chinese including HK & Macau & Taiwan people while max 4 bottles for foreigner people; No more than 750ml/bottle; Guangzhou allows max 2 bottles as listed above.
  • Business / tourist visas are issued for a maximum duration of stay for 30, 60, or 90 days as determined by the Chinese Consulate overseas.
  • All incoming shipments must have shipper name written clearly in ENGLISH on each box or label to match the name in the passport, OBL and packing list.  Failing which, custom requires client to be present at the custom house to open and certify the household goods belong to shipper.  If the box name differ e.g. use spouse name during packing as the employee is travelling, upon arrival in China, we need to use employee documentation like work permit and resident permit to clear shipment, they have to produce their marriage certificate as proof.
  • Customs are demanding more detailed information than is usually provided on a standard packing list, including numbers of items in cartons. For example we have been asked to provide an estimate of the number of clothes, books, ornaments and kitchen items in cartons. If our estimates are not close then customs can order a full physical examination, or even confiscate items that are either not declared or under-declared.
  • China requires treatment of shipment against yellow fever on shipments originating from: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo-Brazzaville and Guyana. China also requires disinfection against the risk of cholera from shipments originating from: Yemen, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Niger, Cameroon and Algeria. If treatment is not completed at origin, it will be carried out by Chinese quarantine authorities upon arrival causing delays to the shipment.

REGION POLICIES

    • Shanghai Bonded Warehouse announced effective March 22 2022 onwards; all SEA shipments into Shanghai, China have to go through a mandatory disinfection process during custom inspection. 
  • Note: The following requirements applied for shipments at the seaports in GUANGZHOU and SHENZHEN.
    • The apartment lease permit is required since 2014 (please check with China on year updates)
    • For Televisions or Computer Monitors, the screen size must be listed on the packing list – Do not list “Computer Equipment/Accessory” on the packing list.
    • All electrical appliances must be identified with the brand on the packing list.
    • Authorities will only permit a “reasonable” quantity of dry food stuff for personal use in sea shipment – Brand and quantity is required on the packing list for the import of wine/alcohol and milk powder milk powder (Both are subject to 50% import tax at local market value)
    • Golf clubs are not recommended as each individual golf club will be taxedat 50% of CNY 1,000/club. No maximum limitation. 
    • Alcohol: 50% of Customs assessed value. No more than 2 bottles. 
    • If the shipment includes children’s books or toys, a copy of the passport and residence permit of the children is required for clearance.
    • The next 4 points are only for Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen and Shanghai: For shipments foreigner (including HK, Taiwan, Macao citizens) holding long term residence permit/PR/JuZhuZheng (valid date greater than 365days):
    • LIST of *twenty (previously dutiable) items falling under household goods: air conditioners, audio equipment, cameras, copiers, electronic calculators, fax machines, foodstuffs including alcohol, furniture, lamps, microcomputers and peripherals, programme-controlled telephone switches, refrigerators and freezers, telephones, typewriters and word processing machines, VCRs, video players, washing machines, and wireless paging systems. (Customs Assessed Value of CNY5000 or below is not dutiable)
    • These 20 categories will be duty free provided the shipment is the applicants first entry into China and the quantities are deemed reasonable. Frist time importers who are applying for a Chinese import permit for the first time. 
    • Items in unreasonable quantity may still be subject to customs duties. For example, a couple importing 10 bicycles might be able to import four duty free but will pay duties on the remaining six bikes. Customs officers will decide whether a quantity of a single item is reasonable or not. 
    • For first time importers, the previous exemptions, including clothes, kitchenware or chinaware, etc. remain duty free. 
    • Foodstuffs remain subject to quarantine inspection and authorization. Alcohol reminas limited in Shanghai to four bottles only (with two being duty free and the other two subject to duties).
    • Alcohol is forbidden for import to Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. 
    • Work and residence permits need to be issued in Nanjing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in order for these rules to apply. From the second shipment onwards, shipments will be dutiable as before: customs duties for a foreign passport holder processing a first import of a 20' container could range from USD 2000 - USD 6000.
    • For Foreigner holding short-term permits (valid date is less than 365days) or priority clearance, no change to duty assignment.
  • Note: The following requirements applied for shipments in Beijing/Tianjin for foreigner (including HK, Taiwan, Macao citizens) holding long term residence permit/PR/JuZhuZheng (valid date greater than 365days):
    • For the first inbound sea shipment, any item which unite price is assessed to be valued at CNY 5,000 or above will be dutiable. This regulation is based on "reasonable quantities" (i.e. one TV per family member, 28 golf clubs for a whole family, etc.). The second inbound sea shipment will be fully subject to duty charges (Including AIR shipment as a second shipment).
    • LIST of twenty dutiable items: air conditioners, audio equipment, cameras, copiers, electronic calculators, fax machines, foodstuffs including alcohol, furniture, lamps, microcomputers and peripherals, programme-controlled telephone switches, refrigerators and freezers, telephones, typewriters and word processing machines, VCRs, video players (including TVs), washing machines, and wireless paging systems. (Customs Assessed Value of CNY5000 or below is not dutiable)
    • Alcohol importation is strictly forbidden in non-diplomatic shipments. 
    • Foodstuff importation is still subject to quarantine rules. 
    • For Foreigner holding short-term permits (valid date is less than 365days) or priority clearance, no change to duty assignment. 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Please note that 2024 is a leap year meaning that for any permit issued between now and February 29th, 2024, a FULL year means 366 days versus the usual 365 days.

  • Foreign Citizen:
  1. Original Passport & Original Visa
  2. Work Permit  (Valid for 365days or more)
  3. Original Residence Card / Permit  (Valid for 365days or more)
  • Hong Kong, Macau Citizen:
    1. Original HK or Macau ID card
    2. Original China return card
    3. Original residence card in lieu of Temporary Residence Registration Form (TRRF).
    4. Business certificate copy and certificate of employment with original HR department stamp.
    5. Customs Form.
  • Taiwan Citizen:
  1. Original Tai Bao Zheng
  2. Original residence card in lieu of Temporary Residence Registration Form (TRRF).
  3. Business certificate copy and certificate of employment with original HR department stamp.
  4. Customs Form.
  • ALL
  1. Detailed inventory in English (describing general carton contents - PBO "packed by owner" and "misc." are not acceptable.
  2. Ocean Bill of Lading / Air Way Bill
  3. Baggage Declaration Form original must be completed by customer on arrival at port of entry and get endorsed by Customs.
  4. Original Import Permit Application Form which to be provided by local Allied Pickfords office signed and chopped with the company stamp.
  5. Customs Declaration Form For Sea Shipment

PETS

  • Only one pet per Residence Permit, regulations for licensing of dogs are complicated and strict
  • Health Certificate and original Certificate of Rabies Vaccination is required
  • Subject to strict quarantine regulations
  • Veterinary inspection must be arranged by owner upon arrival
  • Original Baggage Declaration Form to be completed by customer on arrival at port of entry.

IMPORT DUTY / TAX

  • See above information based on region for a better understanding of where duty free shipments can be cleared. Everywhere else: ever shipment is subject to Customs import duty (except for diplomat shipments) regardless of nationality and whether the items are brand new or used.
  • The Import Duty amount is calculated based on Customs Assessed Valued, solely at the discretion of the local Customs Bureau and quite differs from city to city.
  • As a general guideline, while all clothes, shoes and kitchenware can be imported with duty free for first time importers. Alcohol and tobacco products, electrical appliances, furniture, lighting fixtures, food stuff and luxury items like golf clubs and cosmetic products are subject to import duty.
  • Second or subsequent applications of the Import Permit will attract import duty on all items.
  • Antiques should be registered to avoid issues upon re-export in the future due to the strict regulations on Chinese Customs regarding the export of antiques.
  • Duty rates apply to the items listed as follows:
    • Golf clubs         30%
    • Furniture           15%
    • Lamps              30%

RESTRICTED ITEMS - REASONABLE QUANTITY DEPENDING ON SIZE OF THE SHIPMENT

China customs practices a concept of “reasonable quantity”. Whilst there is no ironclad definition of this in practice, it means that dutiable items are only granted automatic entry for a single item or one per family member.

Note - Rules on restricted items can differ from city to city and can change frequently. If you have any of these items listed below it is best to check with our agent in China for the latest allowances. This information should be used as a guideline only.

  • Books (magazine, booklet also counted and regarded as books )
    • Air – Maximum 50 books
    • Sea – Maximum 500 books
  • CDs & DVDs & VCDs & Videotapes & Computer Disks
    • Air – maximum 20 Pieces
    • Sea - Maximum 400 Pieces
  • Alcohol & Wine
    • Not allowed to be imported to North China like Beijing and Dalian, not recommended to be imported to South China, but can be imported to Shanghai.
    • Air – Strictly Prohibited
    • Sea – Maximum 4 bottles
  • Dried Food including vitamins and medicine
    • Air – Strictly Prohibited
    • Sea – Maximum 30kgs (in which powdered milk can not exceed 6kgs)
  • Musical Instrument & Bicycles
    • Reasonable quantity depending on the number of family members
      • If over than 2pcs, original passports with valid residence permit of the family members are required for custom clearance
    • Grand and baby grand pianos are restricted imports in several provinces and cities and may be treated as commercial goods. Grand Pianos are not allowed to import to Shanghai.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Firearms, Ammunition, Weapons & Explosives ( Included Strapped-down Gun, dagger)
  • Bow
  • Motor Vehicles
  • TV Satellite Dish
  • Telecommunication equipment.
  • Over size office items, such as large photocopier machine, printer, which are not consider for personal or family usage.
  • Pornographic materials
  • Politically subversive materials
  • Medicines and other items from epidemic stricken areas
  • POE / AOE Chengdu: billiard and pool tables
  • Fax / photocopy machines
  • Grand and baby grand pianos (check with the local agent)
  • Alcohol (Beijing/Nanjing/Guangzhou/Shenzhen)
  • Maps or globes depicting Taiwan as independent or depicting borders other than the official borders of China are strictly forbidden and will be confiscated with possible fines levied. This includes maps of colonial times with inappropriate markings such as “Sinkiang”, “Manchuria” or “foreign concessions."
  • Poisons or illegal drugs, neuropathy Medicine, daily medicine and Vitamin.
  • Printed/recorded material deemed detrimental to the political, economic, cultural, or moral atmosphere in China (including all pornographic materials)
  • Equipment /tools associated with gambling (such as poker cards, chips, jackpot machine etc)
  • Endangered and rare animals and their products such as ivory
  • Counterfeit currencies
  • Unhealthy animals
  • Motorcycles, mowing machine with large engine
  • Diving Equipment
  • Pet Food
  • It is not allowed to import medicine, liquid items, cosmetics, soap, candles and more than one identical electrical appliance in an airfreight shipment.
  • Any other items that are determined by the local Customs Bureau to be of non-personal or non-family use. These items may be seized if found in the shipment

    OTHER QUARANTINE OBJECTS
  1. Animals and Animal Products
    1. Live animals (except cats and dogs), including all mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates, and animal genetic materials;
    2. Raw and processed meat (including viscera) and its products, aquatic animal products;
    3. Animal-derived milk and milk products, including raw milk, fresh milk, yogurt, animal-derived cream, butter, cheese and other dairy products;
    4. Eggs and egg products, including fresh egg, preserved egg, salted egg, liquid egg, egg shell, mayonnaise and other egg products;
    5. Cubilose (except canned cubilose);
    6. Fat and grease, hides, hairs, hooves, bones and horns and their products;
    7. Animal-derived feedstuffs (including meat meal, bone meal, fish meal, whey powder, blood meal and other single feedstuff), animal-derived Chinese medicinal materials, and animal-derived fertilizer.
  2. Plants and Plant Products
    1. Fresh fruits, vegetables;
    2. Tobacco leaves (except cut tobacco);
    3. Seed (seedlings), nursery stocks and other propagating plant material;
    4. Organic cultivation media or vitamin and medicine
  3. Other Quarantine Objects
    1. Microbial Strains, virus strains and other animal and plant pathogens, pests and other harmful organisms, cells, organs and tissues, blood and blood products and other biological materials;
    2. Animal corpse, animal specimens and animal-derived waste;
    3. Soil;
    4. Genetically modified biomaterials;
    5. Other animals, plants and their products and other quarantine objects prohibited from entering China.

For more information about prohibited items for quarantine concern, you can visit the website at www.aqsiq.gov.cn Other restrictions on entry items, please refer to General Administration of customs www.customs.gov.cn