As with most countries, regulations governing the import of goods and their subsequent sale on China's domestic market are complex. In China's case, they are also changing rapidly. This overview of import regulations aims to provide some insight into the complexities of exporting to China.

Importers

In the past, only a small number of Chinese companies with foreign trading rights were approved to import products into China. Following China’s accession to the WTO, companies seeking to engage in import trade only need to register with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) or its authorized local offices according to the Foreign Trade Law and the Measures on Filing and Registration of Foreign Trade Operators.

All companies (Chinese and foreign) have the right to import most products but a limited number of goods are reserved for importation through state trading enterprises.

What to import

China classifies imports into three categories: prohibited, restricted and permitted. Certain goods (e.g. wastes, toxics) are banned from being imported, while select products in the restricted category require quotas or licenses.

Most goods fall into the permitted category. Importers are free to decide how much and when to purchase. MOFCOM implements an Automatic Licensing system to monitor the import of part of these goods (e.g. machinery, electrical products). A detailed list of merchandise categories (in Chinese only) can be obtained from MOFCOM (in Chinese only).

Import tariffs

China charges tariffs on most imports, primarily ad valorem. These tariffs are assessed on the transaction value of the goods, including packing charges, freight, insurance premiums and other service charges incurred prior to the unloading of the goods at the place of destination. Many tariffs have been lowered since China’s accession to the WTO. The average tariff dropped from 15.3% in 2000 to 9.3% in 2017.

The General Administration of Customs administers tariffs and publishes a tariff schedule on an annual basis available from:

China Customs Press
Jia 1, East Fourth Ring South
Chaoyang District
Beijing, 100023
Tel.: 86-10-6519 5616
http://www.customskb.com/book

Value added tax (VAT, on almost all products) and consumption tax (on some products) are also assessed at the point of importation. The normal VAT rate ranges from 10% to 16% for certain items. Importers of certain consumer goods (e.g. tobacco, liquor and cosmetics) must pay consumption tax at a rate varying between 1% and 40%.

Special trade zones

In China, there are many special trade zones (e.g. bonded zones, economic development zones etc.). These special zones provide exceptions to the usual customs procedures and allow for preferential tariff and tax treatment. All forms of trade conducted between companies in the zones and areas in China outside the zones are subject to the usual rules that would apply to imports into China.

Export processing

Special provisions (e.g. refunds of VAT and duty) apply to goods imported under export processing trade arrangements involving manufacturing contracts where all of the manufactured goods are exported. All such arrangements must be approved by MOFCOM or its local offices.

Import licences

The importation of certain goods requires an import licence. Generally speaking, applications for import licences are submitted to MOFCOM or its authorized local offices. For some goods (e.g. machinery, electrical products), the licence is issued automatically to all applicants and is only used to track imports more accurately. In other cases, approval is not automatic. Such non-automatic import licences are used to control the importation of dangerous goods and to implement tariff rate quotas (i.e. two-stage tariffs, where the right to pay a lower tariff is granted to import up to a certain total quantity of goods).

Tariff rate quotas (TRQs)

TRQs (i.e. two-stage tariffs, where the right to pay a lower tariff is granted to import up to a certain total quantity of goods) are in place for wheat, corn, rice, sugar, wool, wool tops, cotton, and certain fertilizers. Chinese companies seeking to import at the lower TRQ tariff rate must apply to MOFCOM for an allocation between October 15 and 30 of the previous year (or for re-allocations of unused TRQ, between September 1 and 15 of the year).

Import inspection/certification

Complex inspection and certification requirements are in place, requiring certain goods to be inspected on arrival and/or to be accompanied by formal certification recognized by the Chinese government (e.g. CCC and RoHS for electrical goods or pest-free certification for certain agricultural products). Goods that fail to pass the required inspections and/or that are not accompanied by the required certification may be confiscated or returned. Certification requirements may include factory inspections in Vietnam.

In some cases, China recognizes certification provided in Vietnam. In other cases, testing must be conducted in China to obtain the necessary certification. For some goods (primarily agricultural goods and electrical/electronic products), it may also be necessary to have the Vietnamese factory or processing facility certified by the Chinese government (which may require site visits by Chinese inspectors paid for by the Vietnamese company).

Labelling/packaging requirements

China has a range of labelling and packaging requirements in place that are particularly important for consumer goods. In some cases, goods that do not meet these requirements will be refused entry to China.

Currency controls

Chinese importers may freely convert renminbi (yuan) to foreign currencies for the purpose of purchasing goods for import, but must complete the necessary formalities with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to demonstrate that all of the foreign currency is being used to fund imports and is not being transferred abroad for other purposes.

Tariffs and market access information

Please contact the Vietnam Department of Commerce in China as follow:

Address No. 32 Guanghua Rd., Chaoyang Dist., Jianguomen Wai, Beijing, P.R. China. P.C: 100600

Phone: (086)10-65329915

Email: cn@moit.gov.vn

Fax: (86)10-65325415

Source: The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (WTO Center and Integration edited)

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