Customs Regulations in China

• Visa/Work Visa
• Foreign Expert Certificate
• Identity Card
• Residence Card/Permit
• Original Passport and Authorization Letter
• Residency Registration (to obtain Green Card)
• Application for Customs Sealed Letter (three copies)
• Letter of Employment Certification (preferably in Chinese) from employer's registered China Office, or Chinese host organization, certifying that Customer will be either personnel of Foreign Resident Office, or Foreign Expert
• Detailed inventory in English (describing general carton contents - PBO "packed by owner" and "misc." not acceptable)
• Arrival Customs Declaration (to be completed by Customer on arrival at port of entry)
• Application for import of personal effects (Import Permit)
  • List of goods and quantity to be imported must be in Chinese
  • Must list all items planned for import within six months from the date of approval of the application, even if not contained in the first shipment
• Certificate of Origin may be required
• Customs Permit (must be approved prior to arrival of goods)
  • Customs Permit and inventory must MATCH EXACTLY!!
• Health Certificate
  • Full physical examination with blood test to prove evidence of absence of communicable diseases, especially AIDS

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST ARRIVE IN CHINA BEFORE SHIPMENT, IN ORDER TO COMPLETE IMPORT FORMALITIES
• Personal registration of owner of the goods and employer's registration must be approved before arrival of the shipment
• Used household goods and personal effects are dutiable for Chinese persons holding a foreign passport and foreigners entering China for an extended period of time (not holding a Residence Card)
• Only one air and one sea shipment may be imported within six months of Customer
• Shipments are subject to physical inspection by Customs

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• Alcohol and tobacco products
• Foodstuff
• Office supplies and furniture must be for personal use
• Office equipment can not be imported as personal effects and are dutiable (i.e. copiers and fax machines)
• Electrical/electronic items (new or used) are subject to import duties (including computers) make, model, and serial number must be on inventory
• One of each electrical/electronic item per customer may be imported such as TV�s, stereos, refrigerators, VCR�s, washer/dryer
• Audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, compact discs, etc. (limited importation applies) will be inspected by Customs Office
• Cordless or portable phones (Import Permit required)
• Radio transmitters and components
• Bicycles
• Oriental antiques and objects d'art must be declared in detail, otherwise re-export might be prohibited
• Textiles and fabrics of wool, silk and artificial and synthetic fibers and bedding
• Cosmetics
• Cameras, watches, clocks and their parts and accessories
• Small quantity of prescription medicines may be allowed (with a copy of the prescription)
• Computers/printers � only one of each item allowed per customer
• Dutiable/restricted items must be clearly indicated on the inventory and loaded last for easy access

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons and ammunition
• Drugs or poisons
• Fresh food, especially meat
• Pornographic and subversive literature, films, tapes, etc.
• Endangered and rare animals and their products

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Motorcycles are prohibited
• Privately owned vehicles are considered a luxury item and are dutiable
• Restrictions and taxes depend on the type and size of vehicle
• Subject to import duties of up to 200%
• Documents must be provided to support the age and value of the auto
• Documents required:
  • Written application to Customs Office
  • Import Cargo Declaration
  • Invoice

PETS

• Only one pet per Residence Permit, regulations for licensing of dogs are complicated and strict
• Health Certificate and original Certificate of Rabies Vaccination is required
• Subject to strict quarantine regulations
• Veterinary inspection must be arranged by owner upon arrival