Moving to China, Shipping Household Goods to China

This information is prepared by IntlMOVE for IntlMOVE’s customers moving to China and Shipping Household Goods or Personal Effects from USA to China.

If you are moving to China and plan to ship your household goods and personal effects, there are customs regulations in China you need to consider.
Below are China’s rules and regulations regarding the importation of used household goods and personal belongings.

China officially announced emergency quarantine regulations effective January 1, 2000.  China will be requiring USDA certification of heat treatment for all conifer (i.e. pine, spruce, hemlock or fir) solid wood packing material (SWPM) OR exporter certification that none of the packing material in the shipment is conifer wood.  The regulations apply to both air and sea shipments.   SWPM includes but is not limited to, dunnage, crating, pallets, packing blocks, drums, cases, spools and skids.

Improperly certified household goods shipments are subject to one of three actions:

1. The household goods  shipment can be returned to origin.
2. The household goods shipment can be separated from the packing material, at the importer’s expense.   The packing material would be destroyed.
3. If the household goods shipment cannot be separated from the packing material and is not returned to origin, then both the household goods shipment and packing material would be destroyed.

For additional information concerning this topic visit Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from the USDA at www.aphis.usda.gov and look under “hot Topics” on the home page.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MOVING TO CHINA AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO CHINA

• Visa/Work Visa
• Foreign Expert Certificate
• Identity Card
• Residence Card/Permit
• Original Passport and Authorization Letter
• Residency Registration (to obtain Green Card)
• Application for Customs Sealed Letter (three copies)
• Letter of Employment Certification (preferably in Chinese) from employer’s registered China Office, or Chinese host organization, certifying that Customer will be either personnel of Foreign Resident Office, or Foreign Expert
• Detailed household goods and personal effects  inventory in English (describing general carton contents – PBO “packed by owner” and “misc.” not acceptable)
• Arrival Customs Declaration (to be completed by Customer on arrival at port of entry)
• Application for import of personal effects (Import Permit)
• List of household goods and quantity to be imported must be in Chinese
• Must list all household goods and personal effects items planned for import within six months from the date of approval of the application, even if not contained in the first household goods and personal effects shipment
• Certificate of Origin may be required
• Customs Permit (must be approved prior to arrival of household goods)
• Customs Permit and household goods and personal effects inventory must MATCH EXACTLY!!
• Health Certificate
• Full physical examination with blood test to prove evidence of absence of communicable diseases, especially AIDS 

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR MOVING TO CHINA AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO CHINA

CUSTOMER MUST ARRIVE IN CHINA BEFORE HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS SHIPMENT,  IN ORDER TO COMPLETE IMPORT FORMALITIES

• Personal registration of owner of the household goods and employer’s registration must be approved before arrival of the shipment
• Used household goods and personal effects are dutiable for Chinese persons holding a foreign passport and foreigners entering China for an extended period of time (not holding a Residence Card)
• Only one air and one sea household goods and personal effects shipment may be imported within six months of Customer
• Household goods and personal effects shipments are subject to physical inspection by Customs 

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• Alcohol and tobacco products
• Foodstuff
• Office supplies and furniture must be for personal use
• Office equipment can not be imported as personal effects and are dutiable (i.e. copiers and fax machines)
• Electrical/electronic items (new or used) are subject to import duties (including computers) make, model, and serial number must be on inventory
• One of each electrical/electronic item per customer may be imported such as TV’s, stereos, refrigerators, VCR’s, washer/dryer
• Audio cassette tapes, video cassette tapes, compact discs, etc. (limited importation applies) will be inspected by Customs Office
• Cordless or portable phones (Import Permit required)
• Radio transmitters and components
• Bicycles
• Oriental antiques and objects d’art must be declared in detail, otherwise re-export might be prohibited
• Textiles and fabrics of wool, silk and artificial and synthetic fibers and bedding
• Cosmetics
• Cameras, watches, clocks and their parts and accessories
• Small quantity of prescription medicines may be allowed (with a copy of the prescription)
• Computers/printers – only one of each item allowed per customer

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS must be clearly indicated on the inventory and loaded last for easy access 

 
PROHIBITED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• Weapons and ammunition
• Drugs or poisons
• Fresh food, especially meat
• Pornographic and subversive literature, films, tapes, etc.
• Endangered and rare animals and their products  

 

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Motorcycles are prohibited
• Privately owned vehicles are considered a luxury item and are dutiable
• Restrictions and taxes depend on the type and size of vehicle
• Subject to import duties of up to 200%
  Documents must be provided to support the age and value of the auto
  Documents required:
  Written application to Customs Office
  Import Cargo Declaration
  Invoice 

 

PETS

• Only one pet per Residence Permit, regulations for licensing of dogs are complicated and strict
• Health Certificate and original Certificate of Rabies Vaccination is required
• Subject to strict quarantine regulations
• Veterinary inspection must be arranged by owner upon arrival 

NOTE – Customs regulations in China are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods and personal effects shipments to China and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, IntlMove cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.