Do I need a licence to import into China?

It depends on the product. General goods clear China customs without a sector licence, but regulated sectors (cosmetics, meat, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, telecom/radio equipment) require a specific permit, registration or licence from the regulator named on this page.

How do I check an importer in China is allowed to bring in my product?

Ask the buyer for the import permit or product-registration number for the sector, then confirm it with the named regulator. A genuine importer of regulated goods already holds one; a buyer who cannot produce it may not clear customs.

Is importing a specific product into China ever banned?

Yes. Some goods are prohibited or tightly restricted; those are marked "Prohibited" or "Restricted licence" below with the controlling regulator.

What do I need to clear customs in China?

A business importing into China needs a Customs registration (consignee filing). The importer of record must be filed with China Customs; foreign sellers ship to a registered Chinese consignee or an agent. A normal commercial shipment also travels with: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (cmr, bill of lading or air waybill), customs declaration, filed by you or your broker, proof of origin, when claiming a preferential duty rate.

How much tax do I pay importing into China?

Standard VAT in China is 13%, charged on the goods plus freight plus duty. Customs duty depends on the product's HS code, so there is no single rate: look yours up in GACC tariff information, then add both to the goods and freight to get the landed cost.

Which Incoterms will a small supplier agree to?

Usually EXW or FCA. Small and artisan producers normally sell EXW (you collect at their workshop) or FCA (they hand the goods to your carrier). Expect to arrange freight, insurance and customs clearance yourself, or through a forwarder. DAP and DDP shift carriage and import formalities onto the seller, and a small maker will usually decline them: under DDP the seller must even be able to pay import taxes in your country. Larger exporters more often quote FOB or CIF for sea freight.

🇨🇳How to import into China

To import into China, most goods clear customs freely, but specific sectors need a permit, product registration or import licence from a named regulator before the shipment lands. A legitimate importer of those goods holds the current document, ask for it and check it at the source.

Importing into China: the basics

Customs identity: Customs registration (consignee filing): The importer of record must be filed with China Customs; foreign sellers ship to a registered Chinese consignee or an agent. General Administration of Customs of China
Import tax at the border: Standard VAT in China is 13%, charged on goods plus freight plus duty. STA China Duty depends on the product's HS code, so we do not state a rate: look it up in GACC tariff information , then put both into the landed-cost calculator.
Documents that travel with the shipment: Commercial invoice · Packing list · Transport document (CMR, bill of lading or air waybill) · Customs declaration, filed by you or your broker · Proof of origin, when claiming a preferential duty rate
Incoterms a small supplier will actually agree to: EXW or FCA: Small and artisan producers normally sell EXW (you collect at their workshop) or FCA (they hand the goods to your carrier). Expect to arrange freight, insurance and customs clearance yourself, or through a forwarder. DAP and DDP shift carriage and import formalities onto the seller, and a small maker will usually decline them: under DDP the seller must even be able to pay import taxes in your country. Larger exporters more often quote FOB or CIF for sea freight. Compare all Incoterms.
Worth knowing before the first shipment: Food exporters must be registered with GACC before their goods may be imported, a supplier-side step that has to happen before the first shipment.
Import VAT and, for some categories, consumption tax are charged in addition to duty.

Reviewed 2026-07-21. Factual pointers to public rules, not legal advice; confirm with customs or a broker before shipping.

Sector import rules

These sectors carry their own import requirement in China. For each, a legitimate importer holds the document named below, issued by the named regulator. Ask for it, then verify it at the source.

telecom/radio equipmentImport permit required
conformity certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Importer must secure a Network Access License (NAL) and a Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Certificate from MIIT.
Official source
cosmeticsRegistration required
product registration from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
Importer must file a notification for general cosmetics or obtain a registration certificate for special cosmetics via NMPA.
We could not confirm a live official link for this regulator, so no source is shown. Search the regulator name on the China government domain to reach it.
meatImport permit required
sanitary/veterinary import permit from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Importer must ensure the foreign facility is registered with GACC and apply for an Automatic Import License and health release.
We could not confirm a live official link for this regulator, so no source is shown. Search the regulator name on the China government domain to reach it.
medical devicesRegistration required
product registration from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
Importer must register the device with NMPA and secure a Medical Device Registration Certificate before customs clearance.
We could not confirm a live official link for this regulator, so no source is shown. Search the regulator name on the China government domain to reach it.
pharmaceuticalsRegistration required
product registration from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).
Importer must secure an Import Drug License (IDL) or marketing authorization certificate through the NMPA registration system.
We could not confirm a live official link for this regulator, so no source is shown. Search the regulator name on the China government domain to reach it.
used goodsProhibited
import licence from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Importer must verify the national catalog as the vast majority of used mechanical and electronic products are completely banned.
We could not confirm a live official link for this regulator, so no source is shown. Search the regulator name on the China government domain to reach it.

This is a factual pointer to public rules, not legal advice, and the list is not exhaustive.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to import into China?: It depends on the product. General goods clear China customs without a sector licence, but regulated sectors (cosmetics, meat, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, telecom/radio equipment) require a specific permit, registration or licence from the regulator named on this page.
How do I check an importer in China is allowed to bring in my product?: Ask the buyer for the import permit or product-registration number for the sector, then confirm it with the named regulator. A genuine importer of regulated goods already holds one; a buyer who cannot produce it may not clear customs.
Is importing a specific product into China ever banned?: Yes. Some goods are prohibited or tightly restricted; those are marked "Prohibited" or "Restricted licence" below with the controlling regulator.
What do I need to clear customs in China?: A business importing into China needs a Customs registration (consignee filing). The importer of record must be filed with China Customs; foreign sellers ship to a registered Chinese consignee or an agent. A normal commercial shipment also travels with: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (cmr, bill of lading or air waybill), customs declaration, filed by you or your broker, proof of origin, when claiming a preferential duty rate.
How much tax do I pay importing into China?: Standard VAT in China is 13%, charged on the goods plus freight plus duty. Customs duty depends on the product's HS code, so there is no single rate: look yours up in GACC tariff information, then add both to the goods and freight to get the landed cost.
Which Incoterms will a small supplier agree to?: Usually EXW or FCA. Small and artisan producers normally sell EXW (you collect at their workshop) or FCA (they hand the goods to your carrier). Expect to arrange freight, insurance and customs clearance yourself, or through a forwarder. DAP and DDP shift carriage and import formalities onto the seller, and a small maker will usually decline them: under DDP the seller must even be able to pay import taxes in your country. Larger exporters more often quote FOB or CIF for sea freight.

Sourcing from China? Verify the supplier side too.

How to verify a supplier in China

China suppliers by sector

Manufacturers and wholesalers based in China, with the open-record facts we hold on each and a link to the free public source behind them.

Activewear & Sportswear in China Agriculture & Raw Materials in China Arts, Crafts & Hobbies in China Audio & Video in China Automotive Supplies & Care in China Baby Care & Feeding in China Baby Gear & Nursery in China Bags, Luggage & Leather Goods in China Bath & Bedding in China Beverages in China Books, Media & Music in China Building & Construction Materials in China All suppliers & distributors in China

Importing for the first time? Read the first-time importer sequence (country choice, maker checks, landed cost, a survivable first order).