Shipping to China

Taxation

Shipping to China involves understanding taxation, import duties, and customs regulations. This guide provides all the details importers, e-commerce businesses, and supply chain managers need for a smooth shipping experience.

Taxation & Import Duties

The total cost of shipping to China depends on the local VAT/GST rates, import duties, and the declared value of the goods. China follows the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) method, meaning duties and taxes are calculated on the sum of:

Customs value of the goods
Shipping costs
Insurance fees

Import Duties by Category

Different product categories are taxed at different rates:

Electronics:

Mobiles, Tablets, Laptops – 0%
Cameras – 0%
Audio/Video – 12%

Fashion & Accessories:

Clothing – 16%
Watches – 23%
Jewelry – 0%
Health & Beauty: 10%

Home & Living:

Home Appliances – 4%
Home & Garden – 0%
Food & Supplements: 5%
Sports Equipment: 6%
Luggage & Pet Accessories: 20%

Restrictions

China has specific restrictions on imports. Check with the official customs website before shipping to ensure compliance.

Restricted Items

Restricted items require special conditions for clearance:

Seeds

Tobacco

Flowers

Pets

Substances of human or animal origin

Prohibited Items

The following cannot be imported into China:

Drugs & Firearms

Explosives & Ammunition

Live Animals

Fresh Food & Plants

Chemicals & Hazardous Materials

Counterfeit Money

Radio Transmitters

Shipping Documents

Shipping to China requires accurate documentation to ensure smooth customs clearance. Ship Customer Direct automatically generates essential paperwork based on shipment details.

Key Documents Include:

Commercial Invoice: Details shipment value and content.
Battery Statement: Required for products containing batteries.
Tax Documents & Shipping Labels: Ensures compliance and fast processing.

With the right documents in place, your shipments will move seamlessly through customs.

Additional Information

Remote Delivery Areas

Shipments to rural or less populated areas may incur additional courier surcharges.

Non-Working Days & Public Holidays

China observes weekends (Saturday and Sunday) as non-working days. Additionally, public holidays may delay shipments. Refer to the official Holidays Page for updated schedules.

Enhance Efficiency with Blind Shipping

For businesses prioritizing confidentiality, blind shipping is an effective solution. It allows you to:

Deliver products directly to customers without revealing supplier details.
Minimize handling delays and improve efficiency.

Ready to Ship to China?

Optimize your logistics with expert support from Ship Customer Direct. Whether you’re an importer, e-commerce retailer, or supply chain manager, we provide seamless shipping solutions.