HOUSEHOLD GOODS

1. Shipments can only be released after residence and import permits have been issued if shipper is a foreigner. The whole process for securing the above documents will take about 3 weeks after shipper’s arrival.  
2. After working outside of China for 6 months, returning Chinese can bring used household goods and personal effects with passport only.
3. When a shipper has more than one shipment coming in to China at the same time, these must be declared together, otherwise the second shipment will be fully dutiable.
4. Diplomats are exempted from duties.
5. Effective from January 1, 2000, for shipment from US, Japan, South Korean, and European Union, Exporters should prominently place one of the following certifying statements on the invoice and/or bill of lading: THIS SHIPMENT CONTAINS NO SOLID WOOD PACKING MATERIAL. / THE SOLID WOOD PACKING MATERIAL IN THIS SHIPMENT IS NOT CONIFEROUS WOOD. If the shipment DOES contain coniferous solid wood packing material, exporter must certify or mark that the conifer wood packing material in the shipment has been heat-treated or fumigated with MB.

DUTIABLE ITEMS

1. Some Electrical and Electronic goods (both new and used) are subject to import duties including televisions, video cameras, video players, video recorders, air conditioners, audio equipment, refrigerators, washing machines, camera, fax machines, programmable switchboards, computers, telephone sets, wireless paging systems, electronic calculators, printer, typewriters and word processors.
2. Furniture is dutiable
3. Grand pianos are dutiable and upright pianos are duty free.
4. Lighting equipment is dutiable
5. Audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, compact discs, etc. (limited importation applies) will be inspected by Customs Office Compact discs - 100 items duty free / Laser discs – 100 items duty free / Video tapes - 100 items duty free, any excess is subject to duty.
6. Each individual can import Max. 50kgs of foodstuff and beverages as personal effects. (We recommend not to include food into shipment as food from epidemic-stricken area can not be imported, and the definition of pidemic-stricken area always changes)
7. Oriental antiques and objects must be declared in detail, otherwise re-export might be prohibited
8. Dutiable/restricted items must be clearly indicated on the inventory and loaded last for easy access

Restricted Items

1. Photocopier cannot be import as household goods or personal effects.
2. Portable and cordless telephones require a special import permit.
3. The importation of motorcycles is prohibited unless the owner is a diplomat. Even if the owner has diplomatic status, the motorcycle will need to remain in a bonded warehouse until it has been registered and issued with a number plate.
4. No firearms or ammunition can be imported.
5. It is prohibited to import animals and plants, including samples. This also includes endangered species.
6. Food, medicine or other products from epidemic-stricken area cannot be imported.
7. Narcotics, drugs, medicines or anaesthetics may not be imported
8. No printed or recorded material deemed to be detrimental to the political, economic or social interest of China should be included in any shipments. Please check with us if the shipper decided to ship a large quantity of printed material.
9. No Alcohol and/or tobacco are allowed as personal effects or Household goods into Beijing Port. It does not apply to any other Chinese city right now.

AUTOMOBILES

1. Returning Chinese citizens cannot import automobiles.
2. Foreigners can import one new or used automobile per person if the import permit was approved by Customs office. Shipper has to pay full import duties. Don’t ship the car until the import permit has been obtained.
3. Diplomats and foreign diplomatic staff are exempt from paying duty on 1 vehicle”

PETS

1. The only pets that can be imported into China are dogs and cats. Only one animal is allowed for each Residence Permit
2. Health Certificate and original Certificate of Rabies Vaccination is required
3. At Beijing Airport, animals will be quarantined for 30 – 45 days. No quarantine is required at Shanghai Airport as long as all the documents for the animal have been obtained
4. Veterinary inspection must be arranged by owner upon arrival

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO IMPORT HHGS:

Only documents required from agent: ORIGINAL OF OBL/EXPRESS RELEASE OR COPY OF AWB and PACKING LIST. The client must be already here for us to be able to clear.

Documents need from non-diplomatic foreign client:

• Original passport with residence permit
• Original work permit if he or she gets his/her residence permit because he/she is working in China.
• Application form

Documents need from returning Chinese citizens.

• Passport with visa recording living in origin country for more than 6 month.

Diplomat

• Diplomatic ID
• Declaration form
• Letter from Embassy