Everything you need to know — transit times, customs rules, import duties, carrier options and shipping tips for China.
| Carrier | Economy | Express |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | — | 3–5 days |
| FedEx | 5–8 days | 3–5 days |
| UPS | 6–9 days | 3–5 days |
| DPD | — | — |
| GLS | — | — |
Business days. Customs clearance time not included — allow 1–5 extra days depending on the goods.
Every shipment to China must include the correct documentation or it will be held at customs.
Required for all shipments. Full product description, HS code, declared value in EUR or CNY, country of origin and buyer/seller details. Chinese customs requires very detailed descriptions.
Itemised content list required — must match commercial invoice exactly.
For food and agricultural products: the exporting facility must be registered with China's GACC. Include the GACC registration number on the commercial invoice and packaging.
All consumer goods sold in China require Chinese-language (中文) labels complying with relevant GB standards. Required for customs clearance of consumer goods.
Import duties and taxes apply to all shipments to China. Duty-free de minimis threshold: CNY 50 (~€7) — one of the world's lowest de minimis thresholds. Almost all commercial shipments are fully taxable.. VAT/local tax: 13% VAT (增值税) standard rate on most goods. 9% on agricultural products and basic necessities. Reclaimable by VAT-registered Chinese importers..
| Product Category | Typical Duty Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial machinery | 0–8% | Many industrial machines attract low or zero MFN duty in China |
| Manufactured goods (general) | 5–15% | Most manufactured consumer goods: 10–15% import duty |
| Wine (EU origin) | 14–30% | Wine MFN duty 14–30% depending on type + 10% Consumption Tax + 13% VAT |
| Textiles and clothing | 10–20% | Clothing: up to 20% import duty + 13% VAT. One of higher-duty categories. |
| Cosmetics | 6.5% | Cosmetics face 6.5% import duty + 30% Consumption Tax + 13% VAT — total very high |
| Chinese VAT on all imports | 13% | Applied on CIF value + import duty. Reclaimable by Chinese VAT-registered importers. |
Duty rates are indicative. Actual rates depend on the HS code classification of your goods. Consult a customs broker for high-value or complex shipments.
The following items have import restrictions or are prohibited in China. Check carrier guidelines before shipping.
GACC food registration is non-negotiable for any food export to China — apply months in advance. Even one shipment of unregistered food can be rejected and destroyed at the border.
DHL Express is the strongest carrier for China — exceptional Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing (PEK) hub operations. Most well-documented B2B express shipments clear Chinese customs same-day.
Always include full product detail on the commercial invoice — vague descriptions like 'commercial samples' or 'gifts' cause Chinese customs holds. Be specific: material, dimensions, intended use, brand, model number.
Portuguese wine exports to China: despite the high import tax stack (duty + consumption tax + VAT often exceeding 40%), Portuguese wine sells well in China's premium segment. Ensure GACC facility registration and Chinese-language labelling compliance.
Shanghai vs Guangzhou: customs clearance efficiency varies by port. Shanghai is generally fastest. Guangzhou (Pearl River Delta) is the main entry for electronics and consumer goods from southern China ports.
CBEC platform route: for B2C sales to Chinese consumers, selling via Tmall Global or JD Worldwide provides simplified import clearance and access to the CNY 5,000 annual consumer duty-free allowance — a more cost-effective B2C channel than direct shipping.
China applies MFN import duties of 0–30% depending on product category, plus 13% VAT (9% for some food). Luxury goods, alcohol and tobacco also face Consumption Tax (10–56%). Notable rates: wine 14–30% duty + 10% consumption tax + 13% VAT; cosmetics 6.5% duty + 30% consumption tax + 13% VAT; industrial machinery 0–8% + 13% VAT. There is no EU-China FTA, so EU goods face full MFN rates.
GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) registration is mandatory for all foreign food and agricultural product exporters to China. All food manufacturing facilities, cold chain logistics providers and storage warehouses must register via GACC's CIFER (China Import Food Enterprise Registration) online system. For EU food facilities, the registration is typically coordinated through the EU country's national food safety authority. Portugal's ASAE or DGAV assists with GACC registration applications. Processing can take 1–6 months — apply well before first shipment.
All consumer goods sold in China must have Chinese-language (中文) labels complying with GB standards. Key standards: GB 7718 (general food labelling), GB 5296 (consumer product labelling), GB/T 15566 (general labelling principles). Labels must include: product name in Chinese, ingredients/materials, manufacturer details, Chinese importer details, production date, shelf life (for food), storage conditions and net content. Non-compliant labels result in customs rejection.
China's CBEC framework is a simplified import channel for overseas retailers selling B2C to Chinese consumers via approved platforms (Tmall Global, JD Worldwide, Kaola). Each Chinese consumer has an annual CNY 5,000 (~€650) duty-free allowance for CBEC purchases. Above that: duties at 70% of MFN rate + 70% VAT. CBEC requires platform registration and goods must be on China's CBEC positive list. This is the most accessible B2C e-commerce entry route for Portuguese businesses wanting to sell to Chinese consumers.
Commercial cosmetics exports to China require NMPA (National Medical Products Administration) registration or notification. China classifies cosmetics as 'ordinary cosmetics' (notification required) or 'special cosmetics' (registration required — includes hair dye, sunscreen, teeth whitening). Since 2021, China no longer requires animal testing for non-special imported cosmetics — a significant regulatory change. Some EU-approved ingredients are on China's prohibited list — check your formulations against IECIC (Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China).
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