🇨🇳 China → 🇺🇸 United States

CCC Certification (3C认证)

China Compulsory Certification is required for products sold in China. For export-only products, CCC is NOT required. However, if the product is also sold domestically, CCC is mandatory. Covers 17 major categories including electronics, appliances, auto parts, toys.

CIQ Inspection (商检)

China Inspection and Quarantine. Required for products in the statutory inspection catalog (法定检验目录). Inspection certificate must be obtained before customs declaration for listed products.

Required Export Documents (China)

Complete set: Trade Contract (贸易合同), Commercial Invoice (商业发票), Packing List (装箱单), Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (提运单), Customs Declaration Form (报关单, filed via Single Window), Power of Attorney (报关委托书, if using customs broker), Export License (出口许可证, if applicable), Inspection Certificate (检验检疫证书, if product is on statutory inspection list).

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Shipping Timeline from China

China → US (West Coast): Ocean 15-20 days, $2,800-4,200/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. China → US (East Coast): Ocean 25-35 days, $3,500-5,500/FEU. China → Japan: Ocean 3-7 days, $500-1,200/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. China → EU (Rotterdam): Ocean 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,500/FEU. China → Korea: Ocean 2-4 days, $300-700/FEU. Export customs clearance: typically 1-2 days after declaration.

China Import Customs Clearance Timeline [CNI]

Average customs clearance time (from declaration to release): Standard goods: 1-3 business days (Single Window has reduced from 16 hours to ~2 hours for green channel). Goods requiring inspection: 3-7 business days. First-time imports with lab testing: 15-20 business days. Major port processing times (2026): Shanghai (洋山/外高桥): 1-2 days average. Shenzhen (盐田/蛇口): 1-2 days. Guangzhou (南沙): 1-2 days. Qingdao (青岛): 2-3 days. Tianjin (天津): 2-3 days. AEO-certified enterprises: typically same-day or next-day clearance.

Shipping Timeline: US to China [CNI]

Ocean freight: US west coast (LA/Long Beach) → Shanghai/Shenzhen: 15-20 days. US east coast (NY/Savannah) → Shanghai: 25-35 days. Transit via Pacific: most common route for US-China trade. Air freight: 2-4 days (major airports: LAX→PVG, JFK→PEK, ORD→CAN). Ocean container cost (2026): $1,500-3,500/FEU (US→China direction typically cheaper than China→US). Air freight cost: $4-8/kg. Add 1-3 days for China customs clearance (standard goods).

Shipping Timeline from US

US → China: Ocean (LA→Shanghai) 15-20 days, $2,500-4,000/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. US → Japan: Ocean (LA→Tokyo) 10-14 days, $2,000-4,000/FEU. Air 2-3 days, $5-8/kg. US → EU: Ocean (NY→Rotterdam) 10-14 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $4-7/kg. US → Korea: Ocean 12-16 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. EEI filing: must be done before export. AES processing: near-instant.

Typical Shipping Timeline: China to US

Ocean freight (China east coast to US west coast): 15-20 days. Ocean freight (to US east coast): 25-35 days. Air freight: 3-5 days. Rail (via Canada): 20-25 days. Add 3-7 days for US customs clearance.

Commercial Invoice

Required for all shipments. Must include: seller/buyer info, description of goods, quantity, unit value, total value, country of origin, HTS classification. Must be in English.

Packing List

Detailed list of goods in each package/container, including weights, dimensions, and marks/numbers.

Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

Transportation document issued by carrier. Ocean: Bill of Lading (B/L). Air: Airway Bill (AWB). Required for cargo release.

CBP Form 3461 (Entry/Immediate Delivery)

Filed electronically through ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). Initiates the customs entry process.

CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary)

Detailed declaration with tariff classification, duty rates, and payment. Filed electronically through ACE.

Get an Importer Number

Apply for an Importer Number by filing CBP Form 5106 or using your IRS business registration number. All importers need this before bringing goods into the US.

Obtain a Customs Bond

A Customs Bond is required for all formal entries (goods valued over $2,500). Can be single-entry or continuous (annual). Typical cost: $50-500/year for continuous bond.

File ISF 10+2 (Importer Security Filing)

Must be filed at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto vessel bound for the US. Contains 10 data elements from importer + 2 from carrier. Penalty: $5,000 per violation, up to $10,000 per filing. IMPORTANT (2025 change): CBP has decentralized ISF enforcement to individual ports. Penalties are now issued directly by port directors within 90 days, with NO prior warning. C-TPAT members may receive 50% penalty reduction.

Submit Entry Documents (CBP Form 3461)

Entry documents must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival. Can be filed up to 5 days before arrival. CBP will determine if goods can be released.

Submit Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) and Pay Duties

Entry Summary with duty payment must be filed within 10 working days of goods release. This is when tariffs, taxes, and fees are assessed and paid.

Entry Types

Formal Entry (Type 01): Required for goods >$2,500 or restricted goods. Requires customs bond, CBP Form 3461 + 7501. Informal Entry (Type 11): For goods ≤$2,500. Simplified procedure, no bond required. FTZ Entry (Type 06): Admission to Foreign Trade Zone, duties deferred.

Section 301 Additional Tariffs on China

Additional tariffs on Chinese goods under Section 301 remain in effect as of April 2026. List 1 ($34B, 25%), List 2 ($16B, 25%), List 3 ($200B, 25%), List 4A ($120B, 7.5%). IMPORTANT: HS 8517 sub-headings have different treatment — 8517.62 (routers/network equipment) is on List 1 at 25%, but 8517.13 (smartphones) was on List 4B which was NEVER implemented, so smartphones face 0% Section 301 tariff. Four-year review (2024) added higher rates for strategic sectors. 178 product exclusions extended to November 10, 2026.

De Minimis Threshold Suspended

The $800 de minimis duty-free threshold is fully suspended as of April 2026. Timeline: May 2, 2025 — suspended for China & Hong Kong. August 29, 2025 — suspended for ALL countries globally. February 24, 2026 — suspension continued via executive order. ALL shipments regardless of value now require formal entry and full duty payment. The statutory $800 threshold has not been legislatively repealed yet, but is administratively unenforced.

Section 122 Temporary Global Tariff (15%)

After the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs on February 20, 2026 (Learning Resources v. Trump, 6-3), the President imposed a 15% temporary tariff on ALL imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The President announced on Truth Social an raised the rate to 15% effective Feb 24 2026 (the statutory maximum) — CBP is collecting at 15% as of April 2026. This is a 150-day emergency tariff effective February 24, 2026, expiring July 24, 2026. It applies to ALL countries including China, on top of any existing duties (Section 301, 232, etc.). Congress can extend beyond 150 days but the President cannot do so unilaterally. Two CIT lawsuits pending; 24 state AGs filed suit on March 5, 2026.

IEEPA Tariffs — STRUCK DOWN by Supreme Court

On February 20, 2026, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (607 U.S. ___ (2026)) that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs. Majority: Roberts (author), Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett, Jackson. ALL IEEPA-based tariffs (including fentanyl tariffs and 'reciprocal' tariffs on all countries) are no longer in effect. Previously: 10% fentanyl tariff + 10% reciprocal tariff = 20% IEEPA tariff on China (reduced from higher levels under the October 2025 Busan Agreement). Country-specific IEEPA reciprocal rates that were voided: China 20%, Korea 15%, Japan 14%, EU 20%, UK 10%, Vietnam 46%, India 26%, and many others. CBP is processing refunds for IEEPA tariffs paid — CAPE refund tool went live April 20, 2026 (Phase 1).

Section 232 Tariffs on Metals (Expanded April 2026)

Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper were significantly restructured on April 2, 2026 (effective April 6, 2026). PRIMARY METALS: Steel, aluminum, and copper articles made entirely/almost entirely of these metals: 50% tariff on FULL customs value (up from 25% for steel/aluminum; new for copper). DERIVATIVE ARTICLES: Products substantially made of steel/aluminum/copper: flat 25% on full customs value. Metal-intensive industrial/grid equipment: 15% transitional rate (rising to 25% in 2027). Products made abroad but entirely with American-origin steel/aluminum/copper: 10%. Products containing less than 15% metal by weight: EXEMPT from Section 232 duties. KEY CHANGE: Previous system of splitting customs value between metal and non-metal content eliminated — tariffs now apply to FULL declared value. TRADE DEAL TREATMENT: Products from EU, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland/Liechtenstein receive reduced rates consistent with existing agreements. Korea retains its TRQ arrangement — steel within quota pays MFN + Section 122 only; above quota pays full 50%. 400+ new HTS codes added to derivatives list in August 2025.

US-China Busan Agreement (October 2025)

On October 30, 2025, the US and China reached a trade agreement in Busan, South Korea. Key terms: US total tariff on China reduced from ~57% to ~47%. IEEPA fentanyl tariff reduced from 20% to 10%. Reciprocal tariff maintained at 10% until November 2026. China suspended all retaliatory tariffs imposed since March 2025. China resumed rare earth exports (general licenses for gallium, germanium, antimony, graphite). China committed to purchasing 25M tons/year US soybeans (2026-2028). NOTE: The IEEPA tariff reductions are moot after the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling.

FCC Equipment Authorization

Required for all electronic devices that emit radio frequency energy. Two types: (1) Certification (FCC ID) for intentional radiators (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular). (2) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for unintentional radiators (computers, monitors).

FDA Prior Notice & Registration

Required for food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco. Food facilities must register with FDA. Prior notice must be filed before food arrives in US (web, mail, or fax).

CPSC Product Safety

Consumer products must comply with applicable CPSC safety standards. General products: GCC (General Certificate of Conformity) based on manufacturer testing. Children's products: CPC (Children's Product Certificate) from CPSC-accepted third-party lab.