Exporting to China: the requirements start long before the border
China is an enormous market for Swedish goods, but also one of the most regulated. The duty in China is your customer’s business, but the approvals are yours: registrations, certifications and Chinese labelling must be ready before the container is loaded.
We handle the export declaration and help you tick off China’s requirements in the right order, so the goods are not left standing in Shanghai.
Three approvals that decide whether your goods get in
We handle the exportdeklarationen and help you tick off China’s requirements in the right order, so the goods are not left standing in Shanghai.
GACC registration for food
Foreign food producers must be registered with the Chinese customs authority GACC before the goods may be imported. Without a registration number, the shipment is stopped, no matter how good the documents are.
CCC certification for certain products
China Compulsory Certification is required for certain electronics and vehicle-related products, among others. China’s counterpart to CE, but with its own process and its own testing.
Chinese labelling
Labels and ingredient declarations must follow Chinese rules and be in Chinese for consumer products. Wrong labelling is a classic cause of stops in the port.
The approvals take time, apply before you sign contracts
A GACC registration or CCC certification cannot be arranged while the container waits in the port. Check what your goods require before you promise a delivery date to your Chinese customer. We help you find out.
What happens when you sell to China
Export declaration in Sweden
Lodged with Swedish Customs before the goods leave the EU. You get an MRN and a proof of exit, the receipt for your VAT exemption.
Freight eastward
Sea, rail, air or express. Documents and certificates must follow the goods, as Chinese customs compares everything against everything.
Import at Chinese customs
Your customer clears and pays Chinese duty and VAT. The details must match the export documents exactly, as discrepancies trigger controls.
The VAT: your sale is free of Swedish VAT when the exit can be proven with the proof of exit. In China, your customer pays Chinese import VAT and any duty according to the commodity code.
First deal with China coming up?
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com. A reply within 10 minutes, or the declaration is on us.
The documents Chinese customs wants to see
Chinese customs clearance is governed by detail. We review everything before departure so your customer’s broker gets a complete file.
Commercial invoice
A detailed description, a correct value, Incoterms and the country of origin. The basis for the whole clearance.
Certificate of origin
A Certificate of Origin via the chamber of commerce is often requested by Chinese buyers and banks.
Packing list and transport documents
B/L for sea freight, AWB for air, rail consignment note for rail
Certificates and registrations
GACC number, CCC certificate, health certificate or certificate of analysis depending on the goods
Wood packaging under ISPM 15
Heat-treated and marked pallets, or the whole shipment risks rejection
EORI number
Required for your Swedish export declaration. We handle the application if you don’t have one.
Four routes east
We clear the export whatever the mode of transport and make sure the documents are ready before departure. Need the freight as well? We arrange transport through our forwarding partners, so freight and clearance are booked in one.
30–50
days
Sea freight
The cheapest per kilo, full container or consolidated.
18–25
days
Rail freight
A middle ground in price and time for medium volumes.
3–7
days
Air freight
For urgent and high-value deliveries.
3–6
days
Express
Samples and smaller shipments door to door.
Incoterms to China: FOB is the most common for sea freight, as you hand over at loading in the port of departure. DAP works for rail and air when the customer imports. DDP requires an import set-up in China. Do not promise it without talking to us first.
Five mistakes that stop China exports
The GACC registration is missing
Food without a registration number is stopped in the port, regardless of the other documents.
CCC or labelling is missed
Products requiring certification or a Chinese label get stuck in the control.
The export and the import do not match
Chinese customs compares the invoice, the packing list and the declaration in detail. Discrepancies lead to controls.
Wood packaging without ISPM 15
Unmarked pallets can get the whole shipment rejected or destroyed.
The proof of exit is missing
The VAT exemption can be questioned by the Swedish Tax Agency, with retroactive Swedish VAT as the risk.
Everything is checked before the container is loaded
Requirements, certificates and documents are ticked off in advance. That is where China exports are won.
How your China exports get started
We set up the flow once and tick off China’s requirements in the right order. Then every delivery is routine.
Requirements check before contracts
We find out what your goods require in China: GACC, CCC, labelling and certificates.
Send the invoice per shipment
We prepare the export declaration and make sure the file matches what your customer’s broker declares in China.
You get the proofs
The MRN, proof of exit and records ready for VAT reporting and bookkeeping.
Send the invoice, and a customs specialist replies within 10 minutes
Attach the commercial invoice and the transport booking and we come back with what is required, what it costs and when the declaration will be ready. Calling works just as well.
The same customs specialist every time
Ready within 2 hours
Fixed price, no lock-in
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Questions and answers about exporting to China
Can’t find the answer? We reply within 10 minutes.
Requirements check before contracts
We prepare the export declaration and make sure the file matches what your customer’s broker declares in China.
What is GACC registration and do I need it?
GACC is the Chinese customs authority, and foreign food producers must be registered with it before their goods may be imported into China. The registration number must also appear on the packaging. If you export food, this is step one, and it should be done in good time.
What is CCC certification?
China Compulsory Certification is China’s mandatory product certification for certain product groups, including certain electronics and vehicle-related products. It corresponds to the CE marking but has its own process and its own testing. We help you find out whether your product is covered.
Are exports to China VAT-free?
Yes, the sale is normally free of Swedish VAT, provided you can prove the exit with the proof of exit belonging to the export declaration. In China, the buyer pays Chinese VAT and any duty at import.
Is a certificate of origin needed for China?
Often, yes. Chinese buyers and banks often request a Certificate of Origin issued via the chamber of commerce, among other things for letters of credit. We help you arrange it.
How long does freight to China take?
Sea freight takes 30 to 50 days, rail 18 to 25 days, air 3 to 7 days and express 3 to 6 days. The export declaration itself we handle within two hours once the documents are complete.
Ready to export to China?
Requirements check, export declaration and documents Chinese customs approves. You sell, we handle the borders.
Ready within 2 hours
Your own customs expert
Reply within 10 min, or the declaration is on us
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com
More customs guides: Importing from China · Exporting to the USA · Exporting to Norway · Duty calculator · HS code search · EORI number · Import declarations · Customs broker
