Customs advice:

Importing into China

Quick Tips You must be present in China for shipment arrival Inventory must be accurate All routes are predefined

Things you need to know when shipping to China

As the shipment's owner, you need to be present in China when it arrives, and you MUST supply Seven Seas Worldwide with your confirmed arrival date before shipping. Please note that if your shipment lands in the country any later than six months after your arrival date, we'll not be able to obtain customs clearance and will be forced to send it back to its origin country, and you'll have to pay the additional costs.

You will need to complete our online documentation which includes forms for an inventory of your shipment, insurance on your shipment, power of attorney and, for personal effects and household items, completion of the relevant Customs form.

You will need to upload scans of your passport: the picture page and your visa page. Also, Chinese nationals from the mainland must provide a copy of their Chinese ID card for customs clearance.

Upon your arrival in China, you will need to declare your unaccompanied baggage so take the RED Channel at the airport and present your completed “Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers” to the Customs officer. The Declaration must be stamped by Customs at the airport.

Please note: for efficiency, all shipping and air routes are predefined and cannot be altered.

Once your Declaration Form has been stamped Send the original stamped Declaration by courier together with a copy of the entry stamp on your passport to the Seven Seas Worldwide Guangzhou Office. We must receive this documentation BEFORE your shipment arrives in China.

Guangzhou office address:
Company: Seven Seas Worldwide China
Receiver: Kameron Liu
Address: Room 807, Winkong International Plaza, No.577, Jingang Ave, Nansha District, Guangzhou
Postcode: 511458
Contact Number: +86 18664742005

Chinese Custom Authorities may need to examine your original documentation, such as your original passport, Chinese I.D and/or work/resident permit. In such an event, our local Seven Seas Worldwide Guangzhou Office will contact you to inform you of what documents are required.

If you fail to provide your Customs Declaration Form and/or any other documents required by Chinese Customs on time, your shipment will be delayed and will not qualify for the tax exemption allowance.

If you have already returned to China and hold a Chinese passport, if you want to ship but are unable to obtain the original “China Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers”, you will need to:

Pay all taxes and duties, your shipment does not qualify for the CNY 5000 allowance.
Provide your entry stamp and a letter of reason, which must include the date of your arrival into China, the reason for not obtaining the declaration form and confirmation that you will pay all tax and duties on your items.

Guidance for Chinese and non-Chinese passport holders

Guidance for Chinese passport holders

Guidance for Chinese passport holders’ overseas visa validity of more than 1-year guideline

Chinese passport holders will be liable to pay import tax and duties if the value of the shipment exceeds CNY 5,000.

Guidance for Chinese passport holders’ overseas visa validity less than 1-year guideline

Chinese passport holders with overseas visas valid for less than one year will not be allowed to send any furniture back to China. Shipment value exceeding CNY 5,000 will be subject to import tax and duty.

Guidance for Chinese passport holders’ overseas short-term visas (allowed to stay for less than 3 months) is as follows

Chinese passport holders with overseas short-term visas (allowed to stay for less than 3 months) are only allowed to send no more than four boxes of personal belongings. Shipment value exceeding CNY 5,000 will be subject to import tax and duty.

Guidance for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passport holders

Guidance for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passport holders who have a Chinese travel permit and residence permit both valid for 5 years or longer

Residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan with a Chinese travel permit and residence permit both valid for 5 years and is the first time to send personal items to mainland China are entitled to duty-free entry, but are subject to customs, excluding new items, books, and single items valued at more than CNY 5,000. Chinese customs authorities need to examine your original documentation, including your residence and mainland travel permits. In such a case, Seven Seas Worldwide (Guangzhou Office) will inform you of the documents you must provide and when.

Guidance for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan passport holders with a mainland travel permit and no residence permit valid for 5 years or longer

Residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan with a mainland travel permit but no residence permit valid for more than 5 years must pay import tax and duties if the value of their shipment exceeds CNY 2,000. Also, these permit holders cannot ship furniture into China as they can only import a maximum of 2 cubic meters.

Guidance for all other foreign passport holders

Guidance for Non-Chinese passport holders in possession of a Chinese Visa which is valid for LESS than 1 year

Non-Chinese passport holders in possession of a Chinese Visa which is valid for LESS than 1 year will be liable to pay import tax and duties if the value of the shipment exceeds CNY 2,000. You will not be allowed to ship any furniture to China. With a Short-term Visa, you CANNOT ship more than 2 Cubic Meters as this will not be cleared by the Chinese Customs Authorities.

Guidance for Non-Chinese passport holders in possession of a Chinese Visa which is valid for 1 year or MORE

Non-Chinese passport holders in possession of a Chinese Visa which is valid for 1 year or MORE, in possession of a work or residence permit, and is the first time to send personal effects to mainland China will be entitled to duty-free entry, but subject to customs, excluding any new item and books, and single items value at more than CNY 5,000. The Chinese Custom Authorities need to examine your original documentation, such as your original passport, Chinese ID, and work/resident permit. In such an event, you will be informed what documents are needed by our Seven Seas Worldwide (Guangzhou Office).

Prohibited goods

Restrictions affect many items being imported into China, for example sending milk powder is prohibited and can lead to you being prosecuted and possibly imprisoned. At Seven Seas Worldwide our aim is to make the shipping process stress-free and simple, with that in mind we have created a comprehensive list of prohibited goods along with any service based restrictions.

View prohibited goods

Quantity limits and high duty items

Quantity limits for certain items

Books, CDs, DVDs and Vinyl records can only have a maximum of 50 pieces per type to be imported, e.g. 50 books, etc, more than 50 pieces will be classified as commercial goods and importation blocked.

High level of taxes and duties for certain items

The tax and duty on TVs and golf clubs are very high, so please consider if it is worth it before you pack them, once imported the taxes and duties must be paid.

False Declaration Liabilities and Penalties

False declarations made within the packing list may lead the Chinese Customs authorities to impose administrative charges or in extreme cases the imposition of criminal charges and judicial prosecution. There may also be ongoing liability for demurrage, detention and other associated costs. These costs may exceed the shipping and freight costs already paid and can escalate to thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of Yuan.

Mothballs

Please refrain from using mothballs in your boxes, bags and suitcases, as they produce a potent smell that affects surrounding containers and could lead to serious health issues. Mothballs are made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are toxic to humans and pets and can cause headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation, and coughing simply by breathing in the fumes. In more severe cases, exposure could lead to hemolytic anaemia and liver and lung damage. Furthermore, children and pets could mistake these small, colourful balls for food and ingest them.

Item inventory form

Upon arrival in China, all shipments of personal belongings are x-rayed. The inventory listing the contents of the container is then compared to the x-ray image. If they don't match, the shipment is opened and physically inspected by Customs Officials, causing delays and additional charges. Customers can use this form to list their inventory.

Download inventory form

Disclaimer

Please note that the information contained in this document is for guidance purposes only. Seven Seas Worldwide is not liable for any inaccuracy, error or omission contained within this document. For official guidance, please refer to the China Customs official website.

timestamp This page was last updated on 9th March 2023.