country guide
China Country Guide
Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Original passport with residence permit (valid at least 12 months)
- Original work permit (valid at least 12 months)
- Packing inventory list in English or Chinese (diplomat list must be signed and itemized)
- Ocean bill of lading (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB)
- Arrival notice (sea shipments)
- List of electronic items
- Baggage declaration form, if applicable (2 copies, matching identically)
- Alcohol / wine list
- Original passport with diplomatic visa (diplomats)
- Consulate officer certificate (diplomats)
- Import permit (consulate or embassy must apply for diplomats)
- Diplomatic card (diplomats)
- Pro-forma invoice (diplomats)
Specific Information
All non-diplomatic household goods shipments are subject to import duties.
There are no duties on diplomatic shipments.
The import of personal effects must be arranged at least 6 months before the expiration of the residence permit.
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):
The import permit takes approximately 2-3 working days to process and is valid for 30 days after issuance.
The baggage declaration form is required by some cities only.
- Contact agent for more information.
Customs clearance for returning citizens takes approximately 10-12 business days.
Chinese passport holders should contact the agent for restrictions on import shipments.
It is recommended that each antique included in the shipment is photographed.
Diplomatic shipments are exempt from inspection, duties, and taxes.
If the owner of the goods has both, sea and air shipments, an import permit application for both shipments must be completed at the same time.
- If the owner of the goods imports an additional shipment (air or sea), all items in the shipment are subject to tax and duty.
All electrical items must be clearly indicated on the inventory including; model, serial number and size.
Only one sea and one air shipment are allowed per residence permit.
Sea shipments take approximately 10-15 working days to clear Customs.
Air shipments take approximately 3-5 working days to clear Customs.
- If gross weight is over 300 kg, it may take approximately 10-15 working days to clear Customs in some cities, e.g. Shanghai.
Estimates are based on completed documentation available at the time of shipment arrival and for Customs clearance.
Duty rates for air shipments are usually 30% higher than sea shipments.
An official Customs duty receipt will be issued and provided to the owner of the goods upon delivery.
Import duties for alcoholic beverages are extremely high and beverages are not recommended for inclusion in the shipment.
It is recommended that food items, alcohol, cosmetics, health products, and toiletries are not included in air shipments to China.
Business / tourist visas are issued for a maximum duration of stay for 30, 60, or 90 days as determined by the Chinese consulate overseas.
Wood packaging material imported into China must be heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide and properly marked according to ISPM-15 standards.
Documents Required
Original purchase invoice / log book with chassis and engine number
Details of the vehicle including brand name and style (e.g., sedan, SUV, color, vehicle identification number (VIN) number, etc.
Import permit (diplomats)
Specific Information
Only left-hand drive vehicles with no conversion can be imported.
Only persons with diplomatic card / working for a joint venture / a wholly-owned foreign company can import motor vehicles.
Automobiles manufactured prior to January 1, 2005, must comply with Euro IV standards and undergo environmental and mechanical inspections.
The import of motor vehicles, including automobiles, is not recommended for non-diplomatic shipments.
Documents Required
Vaccination record
Veterinary health certificate
IAM Note: The documentation for household goods and personal effects also applies to the importation of pets.
Specific Information
Animals are subject 30 days quarantine upon arrival.
Animals are subject to examination by an inspector at the owner of the goods’ residence in China within 30 days following arrival.
A small fee is required for the examination of pets by an inspector.
CDs, VCDs, DVDs, LDs, and videotapes may total no more than 100 items to import duty free; items are subject to inspection and will be returned approximately 4 weeks after clearance is completed.
- More than 20 pieces is dutiable for returning citizens.
- These items are subject to a Customs inspection of approximately 2-3 weeks.
Personal computers with encryption capabilities require an approval of installed software prior to importation
- Personal computers with simple password software, such as Microsoft products, contained in the household goods and personal effects shipment are generally acceptable.
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.
Milk powder and manufactured meat cannot be included in air shipments.
Electrical appliances (duties of 20%)
Books (a letter of explanation must be included and detail where the books were purchased, the total number, the book titles, and value of each, the subject matter etc., e.g., work, study. More than 10 books are dutiable (returning citizens).
Food products must be dry goods, original canned or vacuum packed, in sealed packaging only.
- One small carton of food items may be included in air shipments and 2-3 small cartons for sea shipments.
- Food products are subject to duties of approximately 10% of the declared value.
- Customs reserves the right to levy higher duties and taxes on quantities deemed commercial.
Duty rates apply to the items listed as follows:
Firearms and ammunition
Drugs
Perishable food items (items containing the essence or extract from eggs are subject to confiscation or destruction)
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 (contact agent for specific information)
Alcohol (Beijing)