How to Import Goods in China? Procedure for Importing Goods

China is the leader in international trade. The county has certain formalities that are to be followed by its importers and exporters.

As per China Import Data, the Chinese importer – agent, distributor, joint venture partner or FIE gathers the documents required for importing goods and provide them to Chinese customs agents. These documents include- bill of lading, invoice, packing list, the customs declaration, the insurance policy, the sale contract and the inspection certificate of the AQSIQ or other licenses of safety and quality.

To minimize customs clearance time, certain companies can in cases where description, specifications and quantity of import of goods are determined declare to the customs in advance and present the documents after the imports are dispatched, before the arrival or in the 3 days which follow the arrival of goods in a customs surveillance zone. The customs authorities will examine the goods directly and will release the goods after their arrival.

Customs declaration can be done via the customs site. As per China Export Data, the exporters must indicate the place of arrival of goods and they must complete all the customs data. Once the data is analyzed by the customs, a receipt will be sent so that the company can complete the cargo of goods. Custom duties can be paid by bank transfer.

The imports of food and beverage in China is supervised by multiple government agencies and departments mainly state administration for market regulation, the national health commission of China, and the General administration of customs of China.

Exporters and importers of foreign food and beverage must be recorded via registration systems of imported food and cosmetic importers and exporters or the Internet + customs platform of GACC. Also, the general administration of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine requires registrations for the import of cereals and oilseeds and live sea food. 

Also, the China food and drug administration has issued registration requirements for infant formulae, health food, food for special medical purposes and new requirements for online food trade.

Certain items that are prohibited for imports in China are arms, counterfeit currencies, documents that are deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic, cultural and moral interests of China, lethal poisons, illicit drugs, disease carrying animals and plants, foods, medicines and other articles coming from disease stricken areas, used garments, local currency etc.

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