Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
Documents Only
Document shipments are considered non-dutiable and do not require
export documentation (i.e. they don’t require a commercial invoice or any other
export documents).
Items considered documents only for China:
- Paper documentation
- Contracts
- Blueprints
- Tickets
- Account Statements
- Invoices
- Training Material
- and more..
Not-Eligible:
- Books
- CDs
- DVDs
- and more..
Shipping Gifts
Gifts that are valued less than 1,000 CNY (approximately 200 Canadian
Dollars) are exempt from duties and taxes, provided the following conditions are met:
- The words “Gift Shipment” and “Personal
Shipment” are included on the commercial invoice
- A detailed description and name of each item is provided
- A copy of the receiver’s passport is provided
NOTE: Shipments from businesses are not considered
to be gifts.
Sources:
http://www.dhl.com/en/express/customs_support/customs_paperwork/customs_guidelines_china.html
https://www.fedex.com/en-ca/shipping-services/international/regulatory/china-customs-information.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Smith Family in Hong Kong
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Hong Kong, 518003, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 each |
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
|
CA |
$79.99 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Gifts
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$79.99
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Shipping Personal Effects
Personal effects refer to separately shipped passenger's luggage,
gifts exchanged between relatives and friends. They must be declared
as personal effects, be of a reasonable quantity, and must be for
personal use.
Shipments from Hong Kong, Macao, must show the declared value less
than 800 CNY (about 160 CAD) and the assessed duty and tax value must
be less than 400 CNY (about 80 CAD.
When shipping personal effects from Canada, the declared value must be
less than 1,000 CNY (about 200 CAD) and the assessed duty and tax
value must be less than 500 CNY (about 100 CAD).
Personal effects are declared through the simplified clearance process
and a packaging list along with a commercial invoice is required. The
commercial invoice must include each item listed along with their
value and the words “Personal Effects” in the goods
description section.
In order to qualify for duty-free exemption, the following conditions must be met:
- The words “Personal Effects” are stated on the
commercial invoice under General Description and Detail Description
of Goods
- Be of reasonable quantity and for personal use
- The declared value must be less than 1,000 CNY (if over, you'll pay
duties on it)
- Passport with valid visa and entry/exit stamp by immigration
- A Packing List is also included
Source:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/Statics/4d9ec32c-efea-4a5f-9b33-e18f337c0cc5.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Shanghai Community Centre
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Shanghai, 200081, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 5 Pairs |
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
|
IN |
$40.00 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Personal Effects
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$200.00
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Samples / Commercial Samples
Samples are goods imported to facilitate the placing of an order. If
the value of the shipment is equal to or less than 5,000 CNY and the
total duty and tax amount does not exceed 50 CNY, the shipment will
not require duties and taxes.
Non-dutiable sample shipments must be clearly described and noted as a
“sample” on the commercial invoice. Customs will perform a
physical inspection of any shipment containing samples that are sent
with no declared commercial value.
Dutiable regardless of their value:
- Motor vehicles
- Bicycles
- Watches
- Televisions
- Recorders
- Radios
- Electric gramophones
- Cameras
- Refrigerators
- Sewing machines
- Photocopiers
- Air conditioners
- Electric fans
- Vacuum cleaners
- Acoustic equipment
- Video recording equipment
- Video cameras
- Amplifiers
- Projectors
- Calculators
- Electronic microscopes
- Electronic color analyzers and their major part
In order to qualify for duty-free exemption, the following conditions must be met:
- The word “Sample” is stated on the commercial invoice
under General Description and Detail Description of Goods
- Is not a dutiable item
- The declared value must be less than 5,000 CNY
Source:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/Statics/d30338b4-2f6a-47ea-a008-cff20ec0a6d2.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Beijing Books
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Beijing, 100003, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 each |
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel, Origin
HTS Code: 4901.99.00.01 |
CA |
$20.00 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Commercial Sample
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$20.00
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Advertising Material / Marketing Material
Similar to samples, all advertising material or marketing material
shipments become dutiable unless the duty value is less than 50 CNY
(about $10 CAD), or listed as having no commercial value.
NOTE: All shipments that are declared as
having no commercial value undergo a strict examination and inspection.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Shenzhen Trade Show
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Shenzhen, 518009, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Box |
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
|
CA |
$20.00 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Promotional Material
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$20.00
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Repairs
When importing commodities for repair, the following is required to obtain duty-free exemption:
- Commercial Invoice (3 copies)
- Repair Contract or the original export contract that contains a
warranty clause
- Items being repaired must be re-exported within the time limit
prescribed by Chinese Customs
When these documents are provided and the importer provides the
deposit to Customs, commodities returned to China for repair will be
released duty-free.
Source:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/Statics/53a77dc4-c835-460a-b773-f5f7cef63a33.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Guangzhou Repair Shop
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Shenzhen, 510045, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Each |
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
|
CN |
$163.00 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Warranty Repair
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$163.00
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Temporary Imports
If goods are to be temporarily imported for use in China, there are
ways to avoid having to pay import duties or taxes, provided certain
conditions are met.
There are 2 ways to do a temporary import into China. Each method has
pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you
to complete a commercial invoice.
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice only
This is the simplest and quickest option.
See example.
You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't
guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free. Not all
brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL)
nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and
taxes.
2. Apply for an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of the
country. It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted
by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time
thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can
find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
The types of approved temporary imports include:
- Goods displayed or used in exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar
activities
- Articles for performance or contests used in cultural or sports
exchanges
- Devices, equipment or articles used in news reporting, or the
shooting of films or television programmes
- Devices, equipment or articles used in scientific, teaching, and
medical activities
- Transportation vehicles and special types of vehicles used in
activities listed in the items above
- Samples (refer to samples of goods used in exhibition, operation demo,
reference of goods supplied and ordered, and samples of goods
detected and tested, but excluding the identical goods that exceed
the reasonable quantity imported or exported by the same consignee
or consignor)
- Apparatus, equipment and articles used in charity activities
- Apparatus and tools used for the installing, debugging, testing and
repairing the equipments
- Containers for goods
- Self-driving vehicles as well as the articles thereof used for
traveling
- Equipment, apparatus and articles used in the construction of
projects
- Other goods temporarily imported or exported as approved by Customs.
In order to qualify for duty-free exemption, the following
conditions must be met:
- The words “Temporary Imported” are stated on the
commercial invoice under General Description and Detail Description
of Goods
- Item qualifies for temporary import (see list above)
- Indicate the expected date of export on the Commercial Invoice
- If the item is leaving the country, show the original tracking
number on the Commercial Invoice
- Can only remain in China for 6 months (unless extension has been
granted)
Sources:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/Statics/7fb7fc01-c3ef-4d09-9ef2-8c69e3dba127.html
http://www.customscounsel.com/en/lawyer/4facbb7c7c034dd7945117d76d50147d/30554.html
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
| Ship To |
Invoice |
|---|
Tianjin Show
James Smith
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street
E Financial Street
Tianjin, 300103, China
Phone:
613-555-1234 |
Carrier tracking number:
736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker:
UPS
Date:
28 May 2023 |
| QTY |
Description of Goods |
C/O |
SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 box |
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
|
CA |
$1032.00 |
Terms of Sale:
None
Total number of packages:
1
Reason for export:
Temporary Imports
Contact Name:
James Smith
|
Total Invoice Amount:
$1032.00
Total Weight:
10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
|
Permanent/Sold Goods
Importing and selling goods in China can be very lucrative for
businesses, however, it’s important to understand the
regulations before getting started to avoid any unnecessary headaches
or potential legal troubles.
Before importing into China it’s important to check if you
product will require a China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark.
Commodities listed in the official commodity catalog cannot leave the
manufacturing facility, be imported into China, or be used in any
business operational activities inside of China without obtaining the
CCC mark.
The Chinese government agency, Certification and Accreditation
Administration (CNCA), will administer the CCC mark certification
process. The China Quality Certification Center (CQC) has been
designated by the CNCA to process the CCC mark applications. Chinese
Customs may hold products not meeting the CCC requirements and impose
penalties on the importers or consignees.
The following is an abbreviated listing of the commodities requiring
certification:
- Appliances for home or similar usage
- Audio/video devices
- Circuit switches and electric devices used for protection
- Electric tools
- Electric welding machines
- Electric wires and cables
- Information technology devices
- Lighting devices (for example, electrical lamps, electrical lights)
- Low power electric motors
- Low voltage electric apparatuses
- Motor vehicle and safety accessories
- Motor vehicle tires
- Safety glass
- Telecommunication terminal devices
Additionally, spare parts and replacement parts may, in some cases,
require CCC certification or may qualify for an exemption (requires an
application form).
The full list of affected commodities and the CCC online application
guide are available from the CQC Web site at http://www.ccc-cn.org/ccccatalog.htm.
In addition to the CCC mark, goods must have the country of origin
printed or embossed on each item- “Made in Canada” for
example. The country of origin must also be included on the Commercial
Invoice.
You should also check to see if your product will require a safety
license or other special clearance documentation. For example,
medicines, foodstuffs, animal and plant products, electronics, and
mechanical products require a safety license.
Source:
http://www.ccc-certificate.org/en/
Duty & Taxes
Import duty and taxes in China are calculated based on the sum of the
Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping costs).
This is known as CIF.
Using the CIF Value, you can predict how much Duty & Tax the recipient
would have to pay the Chinese government to receive their goods.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a Duty & Tax Threshold (i.e. de minimis) which
means that below a certain amount, no Duties or no Taxes are charged
on the import of that shipment.
| Currency |
Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
| TAX (VAT / GST) |
16% |
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value) |
0 USD |
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value) |
0 USD |
| Threshold Method |
CIF |
| Tax & Duty Calc Method |
CIF |
|
|
Duties on Imports
- Mobiles 0%
- Tablets 0%
- Computers & Laptops 0%
- Cameras 0-15%
- Beauty Products & Cosmetics 6.5%
- Shirts & Pants 14-16%
- Coats 16-25%
- Watches 11-23%
- Jewellery 17-35%
- Home Appliances 10-15%
- Toys 0%
- Sports Equipment10-24%
- Documents 0%
- Accessories for Electronics 0-2.7%
NOTE:
The numbers above are based on the item’s Country of Origin (manufacture)
being a part of the Most-Favored Nation (MFN). If the Country of Origin
is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), then it is part of the
MFN and hence gets the above Duty rates. Please keep in mind that we do
make an effort to keep the numbers above updated, but if exact numbers
are needed, please contact a customs broker at the destination company.
Sources:
http://tariffs.hktdc.com
https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/china-chine/market-facts-faits-sur-le-marche/125684.aspx?lang=eng
Questions
about Shipping to China
What does it cost to ship to China?
The costs to ship to China will vary based on the weight, size, and
destination city within China. Obtain
real-time price comparisons for parcels to China
by visiting our shipping calculator
here.
What is the cheapest way to ship to China from Canada?
You can find the cheapest way to ship to China by using the Secureship
platform to get a price comparisons with all the major carriers. You can
then save even more (up to 50% off the list price of the carrier) by shipping
your boxes through Secureship because of their group buying power.
Find the cheapest way to ship to China here.
Does FedEx ship to China?
Yes they do. FedEx has a few shipping options to China such as
International Priority or International Economy. To find out cost and
delivery times, simply use the Secureship
Instant FedEx Shipping Cost Calculator found here. Secureship provides preferred pricing with FedEx so you can save up
to 50% off the FedEx list price by shipping your parcels directly with
Secureship.
Does UPS ship to China?
Yes they do. You can send your boxes with UPS through Secureship and
save up to 50% off the list UPS price.
Get an Instant Rate Quote to China here.
Does Canada Post ship to China?
Yes they do. Delivery times will vary depending on the service level you
choose. Priority Worldwide (provided by FedEx) can have your package
delivered as early as 3 business days. Small Packet Air generally takes
6-10 business days and Small Package Surface takes 2-3 months for your
boxes to be delivered.
See delivery times with all Major carriers here.
What is the best way to ship to China?
Shipping internationally can be very difficult so it is recommended you
use a platform like
Secureship that is designed to help shipper's of all levels. The Secureship platform
will guide you through best practices around shipping to various countries,
including China, and help you find the best way to ship your packages there.
Is there express shipping to China?
The carriers on the Secureship network do provide express shipping
options to China. Pickups and deliveries can happen in as little as 3
business days.
View all express shipping options to China.
What can I send to China?
The list of items that can be shipped to China changes often so it's
always best to check the official customs page here. A summary
of what is prohibited and restricted can be found above.
How long does it take to ship from Canada to China?
Delivery times will vary by company and delivery option chosen. You can
have your parcels delivered as early as 3 business days with 5-8
business days as the standard delivery time-frame. There are slower and
more economical services such as the
post office
but they can take as long as 2-3 months to deliver your items.
See delivery times for shipments from Canada to China here.
Secureship Offers Cheap Shipping Rates to China
Easy Tracking
Information
Prohibited &
Restricted Imports
China Shipping Insurance