Import: Registration Requirements

Importers of regulated products must pre-register with government agencies.

Registration

Companies seeking to engage in import and export trade must register with customs to obtain a registration certificate and a 10-digit Customs Registration (CR) code (hǎiguān zhùcè dēngjì biānmǎ). The code must be entered on goods declaration forms and other customs documents.

Licensing

Any qualified individual or enterprise may apply to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) for an import license for any goods other than those reserved for import by state trading enterprises. There are no licensing fees or administrative charges. No deposit or advance payment is required for the issue of licenses.

Import licensing in China can be divided into three categories:

Automatic Import License

Certain imports automatically require an import license so that MOFCOM can keep statistical records. Recent objects of automatic licensing have included petroleum fuel, rubber, machinery and car parts, ships, iron, steel, chemical fertilizers, vegetable oil, and poultry.

Automatic import licenses are valid for six months only within the calendar year of issue.

Import License

Restricted goods require a non-automatic import license issued by MOFCOM. This license is valid for the calendar year in which issued, with an option to extend it once for three months. Before obtaining the import license, the trader must obtain a permit for importing the goods.

License for Import Tariff-Rate Quota

A few categories of goods are imported at the regular rate up to a certain quantity, in excess of which their import is discouraged by a higher tariff rate. Tariff-rate quotas apply to most goods imported by state trading enterprises.

Food Products

In order to import food products to China, companies must register as qualified foreign food producers with the General Administration of Customs of China.

Note: The above information is subject to change. Importers and exporters are advised to obtain the most current information from a customs broker, freight forwarder, logistics professionals, or local customs authorities.

Source: General Administration of Customs