Import Customs Clearance in China
Declarations prepared before arrival, so your cargo moves through customs instead of waiting for paperwork.
- Ports
- Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen, Dalian, Beijing airport
- Typical clearance
- 1–3 working days after documents are complete
- Modes
- Sea, air, rail and road
We prepare and submit import declarations at China's main seaports, airports and land crossings: document review, HS classification, customs valuation, duty and VAT payment, inspection coordination and release. Documents are checked against each other before the vessel arrives — most delays at Chinese ports come from mismatched invoices, packing lists and bills of lading, not from customs itself.
What we handle
- Pre-arrival document check and declaration
- HS classification and customs valuation
- Duty and import VAT payment
- Inspection and sampling coordination
- Release and delivery order handling
- Temporary import and re-export declarations
- Returned goods and repair imports
- Post-clearance queries and audits support
Documents you will need
| 01 | Commercial invoice |
|---|---|
| 02 | Packing list |
| 03 | Bill of lading or air waybill |
| 04 | Sales contract |
| 05 | Certificate of origin (for preferential duty) |
| 06 | Licences, permits or registrations where required |
The exact list depends on your product and origin; we confirm it before shipment.
Questions about this service
How long does customs clearance take in China?
When documents are complete and consistent and no inspection is selected, declarations are usually released within one to three working days. Inspections, licence checks or missing documents add time, which is why we review everything before arrival.
What causes most customs delays?
Inconsistent documents (quantities, weights, descriptions or values that do not match), unclear product descriptions for classification, and missing licences. A pre-arrival review removes most of them.
Can you clear goods that someone else shipped?
Yes. We can handle the customs clearance only, whoever arranged the freight, as long as we receive the documents and the delivery order in time.
Related services
Customs & complianceHS Classification & Duty PlanningThe right HS code and a lawful duty strategy — decided before you sign the contract, not at the port.
- DeliverableWritten classification and landed-cost model
- BasisChina customs tariff and FTA rules
Customs & complianceInspection, Quarantine & Chinese LabellingPrepare for China's inspection regime — certificates, registrations and labels right the first time.
- CoversFood, cosmetics, chemicals, plants, used equipment, consumer goods
- WhereAt port, in bonded zones or at origin
Import agencyChina Import Agent & Importer of RecordSell into China without opening a Chinese company — we import in our name and deliver to your buyer.
- Who it suitsForeign exporters, Chinese buyers without an import licence
- PortsShanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen and more
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Import Customs Clearance in China
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