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China Import & Export Toolkit

China is the largest trading nation on earth. This hub covers LC cost in CNY and USD, MFN vs FTA duty rates, 13% import VAT with input-credit mechanics, CIQ inspection requirements and Incoterms best practice for Chinese counterparties.

Currency
CNY (Renminbi) - onshore. CNH is the offshore variant traded in Hong Kong.
Import VAT
13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
Charged on CIF + duty + consumption tax. Fully creditable for VAT-registered importers against domestic output VAT.
Duty regime
MFN tariffs published by the Customs Tariff Commission. Preferential rates under RCEP, ASEAN-China FTA, China-Australia FTA, China-Korea FTA, China-Switzerland FTA and 17+ others. Consumption tax applies to luxury goods, autos, fuel and tobacco.
Regulatory deep-dive
China import & export regulations →
China import/export rules: GACC declarations, MOFCOM licences, SAFE forex, Export Control Law, Unreliable Entity List, dual-use catalogue.
Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions
Also see compare China vs other markets →

Free calculators for China trade

LC Cost Calculator →
All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.
Usance LC Interest →
Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.
Import Duty & Tax →
Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.
HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised classification codes.
CBM & Container →
Volume, weight and container utilisation.
Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →
Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.
Multi-Currency Invoice →
FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.
Major ports & gateways
  • · Shanghai (Yangshan / Waigaoqiao) - world's #1 container port
  • · Ningbo-Zhoushan
  • · Shenzhen (Yantian, Shekou, Chiwan)
  • · Guangzhou (Nansha)
  • · Qingdao
  • · Tianjin
  • · Xiamen
  • · Dalian
Top exports
  • · Electronics & integrated circuits
  • · Machinery
  • · Textiles & apparel
  • · Steel & aluminium products
  • · Vehicles & EVs
  • · Solar panels & batteries
  • · Furniture & toys
Top imports
  • · Crude petroleum & LNG
  • · Iron ore
  • · Integrated circuits
  • · Soybeans
  • · Copper ore & refined copper
  • · Machinery
  • · Cars (luxury)

Trade finance in China

  • · CNY LC usance interest is quoted ACT/360. Onshore (CNY) and offshore (CNH) rates diverge - be explicit which currency the LC settles in.
  • · SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) rules govern all cross-border payments. Advance payments and deferred payments beyond 90 days trigger registration.
  • · Chinese banks typically quote 0.10-0.20% per quarter for LC issuance. G7 confirmation on top-tier Chinese bank risk is inexpensive (0.10-0.30%).
  • · Bank Acceptance Drafts (银行承兑汇票) are a parallel domestic instrument - not to be confused with LCs. Discounting rates are set daily by Shanghai commercial paper exchange.

Customs & duty in China

  • · China uses a 10-digit HS extension of the 6-digit WCO HS. Digits 7-8 are the CN tariff sub-heading; 9-10 are statistical/regulatory.
  • · CIQ (China Inspection & Quarantine, now merged into Customs) inspection is mandatory for food, cosmetics, medical devices, and many consumer goods. GACC registration is required for food exporters to China.
  • · Customs value = CIF. Duty is applied first, then consumption tax (if any), then 13% VAT on the combined base.
  • · China Compulsory Certification (CCC) applies to 100+ product categories - vehicles, electrical products, toys, medical devices. Without CCC, goods cannot clear customs.

Incoterms 2020 practice in China

  • · FOB China port dominates export contracts. Buyers should insist on FCA for container cargo to align risk transfer with CY handover, not vessel rail.
  • · DDP into China is complex - the seller must have a Chinese entity or bonded importer of record to reclaim VAT. Most sellers stop at DAP or DPU.
  • · EXW is common with domestic Chinese trading companies but transfers export clearance burden to the buyer - impractical for most foreign counterparties.

HS commodity guides for China

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on China's trade lanes.

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods
HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) into China →
HS 85Electronics
HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) into China →
HS 84Industrial
HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into China →
HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into China →
HS 2709Energy
HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) into China →
HS 2601Metals
HS Code for Iron Ore (HS 2601) into China →
HS 74Metals
HS Code for Copper (Chapter 74 & 2603) into China →
HS 76Metals
HS Code for Aluminium (Chapter 76) into China →

Every HS commodity landed-cost page for China

Direct link to the China import guide for each HS commodity we publish.

Commodities linked to China

China appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Aluminium →
Top exporter
HS 7601 · World's largest primary producer
Copper →
Exporter & importer
HS 7403 (refined), 7404 (scrap), 2603 (concentrate) · Refined copper re-exports
Petroleum Coke (Petcoke) →
Exporter & importer
HS 2713
Sulphur →
Top importer
HS 2503 · Phosphate fertiliser production
Thermal & Coking Coal →
Top importer
HS 2701

China's key trading partners

United States toolkit →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
Germany toolkit →
VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced
Japan toolkit →
Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)
South Korea toolkit →
VAT · 10%
Brazil toolkit →
ICMS (state) + PIS/COFINS (federal) · ICMS 17-19% (varies by state); PIS 2.1%; COFINS 9.65%
Australia toolkit →
GST · 10%

Frequently asked questions

How is import duty calculated in China?

CIF value → MFN or preferential duty → consumption tax (on select goods) → 13% VAT on (CIF + duty + consumption tax). VAT is creditable; duty and consumption tax are not.

What is the difference between CNY and CNH?

CNY is the onshore renminbi, quoted in mainland China and subject to PBoC daily fixing. CNH is the offshore renminbi, freely traded in Hong Kong, Singapore and London. The two typically trade within 100-300 pips of each other but can diverge in stress periods.

Do I need a Chinese entity to import?

You need a customs-registered importer of record with a China Customs code. Foreign sellers usually work through a Chinese trading agent or set up a WFOE (Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise) or FTZ company.

What is GACC registration?

General Administration of Customs China registration is mandatory for overseas food and cosmetics manufacturers exporting to China (Decree 248/249). Without it, food consignments will be rejected at the port.

Country data compiled from WCO HS, WTO tariff schedules, national customs authorities and central banks. Duty, tax and regulatory information is decision-support only - always confirm with a licensed customs broker or your bank before acting.