DHL CHINA FACT SHEET
RUSSIA
OVERVIEW
Harbin
The scale of China’s economic success is unprecedented: since
introducing economic reforms in the late 1970s, the country
has emerged as a leading world economy and the largest
producer of manufactured goods.
China’s growth helped raise living standards and transformed
the country into a consumption-based economy – the soonto-be biggest global market for consumer goods. This economic
landscape will continue to evolve: by 2020, more than half
of China’s 357 million urban households are predicted to be
upper-middle class, the world’s largest market for luxury goods
and by 2022, their consumption is expected to reach nearly
27 trillion Chinese yuan. These consumers are increasingly
sophisticated and often turn to the UK for innovative high-end
items which local producers cannot supply.
Shenyang
Qinhuangdao
The British Government is committed to further improving
trade relations with China and is highly supportive of an EUChina free trade agreement.
Sources: Deloitte, DHL, GOV.UK, McKinsey Global Institute, UKTI
Beijing
CHINA
Qingdao
Shandong
Zhengzhou
Xi’an
Shigatse
Dalian
Tianjin
Lanzhou
Nanjing
Shanghai
Wuhan
Chengdu
Ningbo
Lhasa
Chongqing
Guangzhou
INDIA
Macau
Fuzhou
Shenzhen
Hong Kong
BURMA
While China has long been the main country the UK imports
from China is also a top 10 export destination for British goods:
UK to China exports have almost doubled since 2009 and
currently exceed £1 billion per month. British goods and services,
from luxury vehicles (which make up a third of UK exports to
China) to fashion and healthcare, are considered hallmarks of
quality and creativity. China is also turning to the UK for insights
into developing long-term sustainability solutions.
Though cultural and language differences remain, it is
continuing to become easier for UK companies to reach
Chinese consumers: online retail increased by 50 per cent
in 2013; China’s infrastructure, including its high-speed rail
network, is continuing to expand; and a free trade zone has
been proposed in Shanghai.
MONGOLIA
Ürümqi
DHL FACTS
Locations: 495
Gateways into the Country:10
Number of Service Centres:131
DHL Delivery Zone:8
Vehicle Fleet:1819
Country Profile
Capital
Beijing
Population
1.3 billion
Area
9,596,961 sq km
Currency
1 Chinese yuan/renminbi (CNY) = 10 jiao
= 100 fen
GDP
US$ 12.26 trillion (2012 est.)
Languages
Standard Chinese or Mandarin
(Putonghua, based on the Beijing
dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu
(Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan
(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka
dialects, minority languages
Ethnic Groups
Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu,
Hui, Miao, Uighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol,
Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean,
other nationalities 8.5%
Source: CIA World Factbook
KEY
Capital City
Major City
DHL Gateway
DHL China Fact Sheet
TRADE INFORMATION
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Exports from China
Imports into China
US$ 1.971 trillion (2012 est.)
US$ 1.653 trillion (2012 est.)
Export commodities
Electrical and other
machinery, including data
processing equipment, apparel,
radio telephone handsets,
textiles, integrated circuits.
Import commodities
Electrical and other
machinery, oil and mineral
fuels, optical and medical
equipment, metal ores,
motor vehicles.
Top Export Destinations
USA, Germany, Japan,
Netherlands, India, UK,
Hong Kong.
Top Import Origins
Germany, USA, Hong Kong,
Italy, South Korea, Japan,
Singapore.
Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook
For an estimate of landed costs (duties, taxes
and other import fees) for shipments going to
China, use the free DHL Express Trade
Automation Services (TAS) tool. tas.dhl.com
TAS also provides information on regulation
compliance and trade documentation.
The receiver or import agent needs to have a Customs
Registration (CR) number and Power of Attorney (POA)
for all non-document goods except personal effects,
regardless of value.
Shipping paperwork – Waybills, labels and invoices
must include: sender and receiver details (including
the receiver’s CR); goods’ quantity, value and full
description; clearly shown Commodity Codes; and a
typed invoice with no manual changes. Handwritten
invoices are only accepted for personal effects.
A packing list is required if: the shipment value (CIF)
exceeds CNY 5,000; the shipment weighs over 100
kg; the shipment includes more than two items; or the
shipment is subject to import licences.
Non-document goods subject to import licences will be
cleared as a formal entry. The receiver is responsible for
applying for and providing the licence.
Wood packaging must have an Integrated Pollution
Prevention and Control (IPPC) sign.
Certain items require an import licence from the China
Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ).
For ATA carnet shipments, state ‘ATA CARNET’ clearly
on the Waybill or label and invoice.
Only documents, certificates, bills, and similar materials
that do not have a commercial value may be shipped as
documents. Customs may ask for a document shipment
to be cleared as a goods shipment, especially if it
weighs over 5 kg.
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
CNY 50
If calculated duty/tax is under CNY 50
then the shipment is classed as duty free.
UK to China Transit Times
The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the time expected
for customs in China to clear the shipment. This is contingent upon the value
of the shipment.
Beijing
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 5 days
Shanghai
Non-Dutiable: 3 days
Dutiable: 5 days
Tianjin
Non-Dutiable: 4 days
Dutiable: 6 days
Shenyang
Non-Dutiable: 4 days
Dutiable: 6 days
Wuhan
Non-Dutiable: 4 days
Dutiable: 6 days
Prohibited Items
The list below is in addition to DHL’s standard list of
prohibited items.
•Animal skins
•Furs
•Antiques
•Items that could be
used as weapons
•Asbestos
•Biological substances
Category B, UN3373
•Ivory
•Dangerous goods,
hazardous or
combustible materials
•Military equipment
•Firearms, or parts of
•Jewellery
•Perishables
•Precious metals
& stones
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DHL China Fact Sheet
Restricted Items
Advertising brochures or
pamphlets and non-advertising
booklets or brochures
Send as goods if quantity exceeds
100 items. Shipment needs to go
through formal clearance.
Alcoholic beverages, cosmetics,
foodstuffs, grain samples, plants
and plant products and seeds
Certificate of Origin, sanitary certificate
from origin country authority and
import licence from CIQ required.
Animal products
Certificate of Origin, veterinary
certificate from origin country authority
and import licence from CIQ required.
Books (hardback or paperback)
for non-commercial use and
publications not for public resale
Include ‘NOT FOR SALE’ or similar
mark on the publications.
CDs, diskettes & computer tapes
For computer software, clearly state
the purpose of importations, e.g.
commercial/research/training/company
internal use. Only authorised importers
holding an import licence may import
audio or video products for commercial
or entertainment purposes.
Communications equipment,
computer components and parts,
mobile phones, mobile phone
accessories & components,
machine and electronic parts and
telecommunications equipment
Import licences from CIQ and the
Ministry of Commerce may be required
depending on the detail of information
of the commodity.
Costume jewellery
Import licence from CIQ required.
Drugs: Prescription and
non-prescription
Certificate of Origin, sanitary certificate
from origin country authority and
import licence from State Food & Drug
Administration required.
Magazines, periodicals, journals
For commercial purposes: can only be
imported by government-authorised
receivers. For personal purposes: must
be limited to 50 pieces or 10 sets.
Personal effects
Limited to unaccompanied baggage
or commodities and gifts sent from
one private individual to another within
reasonable quantity for personal use.
B2C (e-shopping) shipments cannot be
cleared as personal effects but will go
through the general clearance process.
Value limits: Shipments to or from Hong
Kong: CNY 800; shipments to or from
another country: CNY 1,000. Shipments
exceeding the limit cannot be cleared
as personal effects, except when the
shipment is a non-separate single item
– Customs approval is required for this.
Personal effects:
Unaccompanied baggage
Limited to shipments imported within 6
months from the entry date on passport.
The passport needs to have a valid visa
and entry/exit stamp by immigration.
Baggage Declaration Form needs to
be stamped by Border Customs.
Include a full list of articles.
Personal effects:
Commodities & gifts
Copy of receiver ID, item list in detail
and pro forma invoice required.
Personal mail / private
correspondence
Only permitted if the recipient is a
foreign student, foreign tourist or chief
representative with a non-Chinese
passport. Must be sent as goods.
Passports
Further explanation required if quantity
exceeds personal usage.
Ship spares
Can only be cleared by an authorised
third-party agent in the port city in
which the ship is anchored.
Medical or dental supplies
& equipment, tobacco
Import licences from CIQ and the
Ministry of Commerce required.
Master tapes and video cassettes
for resale
Import licences from the Ministry of
Culture or State Administration of
Radio Film and Television required.
For x-ray machines, please contact
DHL Customs Services before shipping.
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DHL China Fact Sheet
IMPORTING FROM CHINA:
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
To commercially import into the UK, the receiver needs to hold an Economic
Operator Registration Identification (EORI) number. This is issued by UK Customs,
the HMRC.
Guidance and further information on obtaining an EORI number:
GOV.UK: EORI Scheme
(www.gov.uk/economic-operator-registration-and-identification-eori-scheme)
General guidance for importing into the UK, including information on restricted items
and Commodity Codes:
GOV.UK: Starting to Import
(www.gov.uk/starting-to-import)
IMPORTING: DUTIES AND TAXES PAYABLE
To find applicable duty rates:
GOV.UK: Trade Tariff
(www.gov.uk/trade-tariff)
Most goods imported into the UK from China are subject to the full rate of
Customs duty and the applicable VAT rate. Many products manufactured in China
are also subject to anti-dumping measures and may require the payment of high
additional duties.
For more information
If you need support or advice on
trading with China, help is available.
Contact the DHL Express team on
0844 248 0675
DHL Customer Services is also
available on 0844 248 0844
Contact your local Chambers
of Commerce
www.britishchambers.org.uk
Contact your local UKTI
www.ukti.gov.uk
Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for
international trade information
and to read our blog
Follow us on Twitter @dhlexpressuk
to keep up to date with all the latest
developments in international trade
ESSENTIAL PAPERWORK
When exporting goods from China, the following documentation is usually required
for clearance with China Customs:
1. DHL Waybill
2. Commercial Invoice
Minimal required information:
• Seller’s name, address and contact details
• Receiver’s name, address and contact details, including EORI and VAT registration
numbers where possible
• Place and date of issue
• Invoice number
• Country of origin
• Terms of delivery and payment (Incoterms®)
• Marks and numbers
• Number and type of packages
• Exact description of goods, including Commodity Codes
• Quantity of goods
• Import licence number if applicable
•Signed
• Stamped if applicable
Some non-hazardous chemicals may require additional certification from the
Chinese authorities for Customs clearance to be given.
3. Power of Attorney (POA) – Letter of Authority
This must be given by the sender to DHL in China to act on their behalf and clear
the shipment through Customs. It must be an original copy. Once on file, this can
be retained for future shipments.
Valid from: 06/2014
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