NEVA LOGISTICS • CHINA Import Customs Guide

Import Customs Guide — China (PRC)

For household goods / personal effects, commercial shipments, vehicles, pets and restricted items.
Follow official customs rules and confirm details with the destination agent before shipping.

Key operational points (China)

  • Customs clearance is city/port specific; rules may be applied differently by local Customs.
  • All shipments are generally subject to inspection; declare media, electronics and special items clearly on inventory.
  • Food, alcohol and “sensitive” items often cause delays or are restricted depending on city/port.
  • Antiques/art and items of cultural value can require special handling and may be restricted from re-export.

Goods Documents required Customs prescriptions Remarks
Household goods — Foreign passport holders
  • Import Permit (“Customs QR code”) required for customs clearance.
  • Passport with Residence Permit (valid period no less than 1 year).
  • Work Permit (valid period no less than a full year).
  • Employment Approval Letter by Foreign Expert Bureau (required in Beijing).
  • Representative Card (for foreign representative office).
  • Application Form with client signature and company chop.
  • Inventory packing list and OBL/AWB for all incoming shipments.
  • Baggage Declaration Form (some cities / often required for air).
  • Property deed or rental contract copy in China (city dependent).
  • Pornographic/subversive material: confiscation + possible fine.
  • Asian/Chinese antiques must be declared separately for registration for re-export; re-export not guaranteed.
  • Fax machines / photocopy machines are not allowed in personal shipments (Shanghai).
  • Approved items in application may be imported within the next 6 months only.
  • All shipments are subject to inspection by local Customs.
  • Electrical items must be declared with model/serial/size (if applicable).
  • Video tapes / CDs must be declared with exact quantity.
  • Policy implementation differs by city; confirm port-specific requirements.
  • Some cities may waive Baggage Declaration Form for air if resident+work permit valid ≥ 1 full year.
  • Local customs can request additional supporting documents.
Household goods — Returning citizens
  • Original passport showing stay abroad ≥ 1 year (typical requirement).
  • Local residence/registration documents (city dependent).
  • Inventory + OBL/AWB.
  • Returning citizens rules are stricter; duties may apply depending on city and item value.
  • High unit-price items may be dutiable (city/assessment dependent).
  • Some cities impose quantity caps for books/CDs and other categories.
Removal goods — Employees from News Agency
  • Import Permit required.
  • Passport with Residence Permit.
  • Journalist Card.
  • News Agency Certificate.
  • Customs Registration Book.
  • Application Form with client signature and News Agency chop.
  • Inventory + OBL/AWB.
  • Original delivery order (sea) / copy of arrival notice (air).
  • Customs regulation similar to foreign enterprise expatriate household goods import.
  • Confirm city-specific requirements via destination agent.
Removal goods — Diplomatic personnel
  • Import Permit required; applied by Embassy.
  • Diplomatic Card.
  • Passport.
  • Original AWB/OBL with embassy chop (consignee is Embassy).
  • Shipment arrival notice (sea/air).
  • Inventory packing list with embassy chop.
  • Application form with authorized embassy signature + chop.
  • Normally no customs inspection on diplomatic shipment (but possible).
  • No duty on diplomatic shipment.
  • Quarantine inspections may occur depending on contents.
  • Diplomats restricted to 1 motor vehicle per diplomatic card.
  • Alcohol may be imported duty free for diplomats (mission rules may apply).
  • Customs inspection requires authorization via Ministry of Foreign Affairs procedures.
Books
  • Supporting documents may be required depending on category and city.
  • Quantity limits may apply in some cities; excess can be dutiable.
  • Example noted: “10 pcs duty free” and caps depending on shipment size/port (verify locally).
CD / DVD
  • City-dependent supporting documents may be requested.
  • Must be declared clearly with exact quantity; censorship/review possible.
  • Quantity limits may apply; excess dutiable (port/city dependent).
  • In some cities, limitation applies also for foreign passport holders — confirm locally.
Furniture
  • If importing under returning citizen rules, restrictions are tighter.
  • Returning Chinese: ban on furniture import is noted in some cases.
  • Import might be tried with explanation letter; special approval may be required from senior customs official.
  • Always confirm before dispatching.
Piano
  • Pre-approval may be required (city dependent).
  • Shanghai: grand pianos generally not allowed unless client is professional musician/teacher (conservatory).
  • Beijing: grand pianos can be imported, but require customs approval before shipping.
  • Request confirmation before dispatch.
Office items
  • Import Permit required (typical).
  • Supporting company/licensing documents may be requested.
  • Office items are subject to inspection and may be restricted depending on city and category.
  • Confirm with destination agent for specific city rules.
Cars & Mini-vans
  • Import Permit required; used cars often limited (notably diplomats).
  • Full vehicle documentation + compliance proofs required.
  • Manufactured prior to 1 Jan 2005: must comply with Euro V standards and may require environmental/mechanical inspection.
  • Import restrictions governed at local level.
  • Diplomats: duty free (noted).
  • Contact destination agent before shipping any vehicle.
Food
  • Typically dry goods in original/sealed packages (city dependent).
  • Only small quantities of acceptable foods may be allowed; many categories are restricted.
  • Food, cosmetics, health products and toiletries often discouraged for inbound air shipments (port dependent).
Pets
  • Documents and procedures are governed by local quarantine/customs rules.
  • Import restrictions are governed at local level; quarantine/inspection requirements apply.
  • Always confirm with destination agent for latest pet entry rules and designated country lists.
  • Use official sources above (China Customs quarantine) + local customs office guidance.
Alcohol
  • Must be clearly marked on packing list (if permitted).
  • Import restrictions governed locally; often prohibited or tightly limited depending on city.
  • Some cities may allow limited import; always check before dispatch.
Antiques / Artwork
  • Declare clearly on inventory with separate request for registration for re-export (as applicable).
  • Importation of Asian/Chinese antiques is not recommended; re-export may not be allowed even if registered.
  • High risk of delay/confiscation if cultural items are not declared correctly.
Forbidden items
  • —
  • Weapons and prohibited materials.
  • Pornographic and subversive materials (confiscation + possible fines).
  • Seizure and penalties possible; confirm exact prohibited lists via China Customs.

Household goods — Foreign passport holders

Documents required
  • Import Permit (“Customs QR code”).
  • Passport + Residence Permit (≥ 1 year).
  • Work Permit (≥ 1 full year).
  • Employment approval letter (Beijing).
  • Representative card (rep office).
  • Application form with signature + company chop.
  • Inventory + OBL/AWB.
  • Baggage Declaration Form (some cities / often air).
  • Property deed / rental contract (city dependent).

Customs prescriptions
  • Pornographic/subversive material: confiscation + possible fine.
  • Antiques: special declaration for re-export registration; re-export not guaranteed.
  • Shanghai: fax/photocopy machines not allowed in personal shipments.
  • Approved items only; import window typically within 6 months.
  • Inspection likely; electronics/video media must be declared clearly with details/quantities.

Remarks
Local practice differs by city/port — confirm with destination agent.

Removal goods — Diplomatic personnel

Documents required
  • Import Permit (Embassy applies).
  • Diplomatic Card + Passport.
  • Original AWB/OBL with embassy chop.
  • Arrival notice + inventory with embassy chop.
  • Embassy application form with authorized signature + chop.

Customs prescriptions
  • Usually no customs inspection (but possible).
  • No duty for diplomatic shipment.
  • Quarantine checks may occur depending on contents.
  • 1 motor vehicle per diplomatic card.

Remarks
MOFA authorization procedures may apply if inspection required.

Cars & Mini-vans

Customs prescriptions
  • Import rules are local; used cars often restricted (notably diplomats).
  • Older vehicles may require compliance inspections (e.g., Euro V-related requirements mentioned in guidance).

Remarks
Always confirm before dispatching any vehicle.

Food / Alcohol / Antiques / Forbidden items

Notes
  • Food and alcohol are often restricted depending on city/port; avoid unless confirmed in writing.
  • Antiques/art: high-risk category; declare precisely; re-export may not be allowed.
  • Prohibited materials (incl. pornographic/subversive) cause confiscation and possible penalties.

Official sources
Use the official China Customs links at the top of this page for the latest rules and prohibited lists.

Disclaimer: rules may differ by port/city and can change without notice. For shipment-critical decisions, confirm with destination agent and the official China Customs guidance linked above.