Customs – General Information
Customs is the main import duty you pay when clearing goods through customs – for any shipment crossing a border from one country to another. In most countries, the calculation is based on the CIF value – the value of the goods plus transport and insurance costs up to the port or terminal of import.
The customs duty rate depends on the HS code, the country of origin, and whether there is a free trade agreement or preferential treatment between China and the importing country. For goods from China, all of this is read from the official customs tariff of each country.
Customs in China and Chinese Tariffs
As a WTO member, China uses a customs tariff based on the Harmonized System (HS). Different customs rates apply to goods imported into China depending on the product type, country of origin, and any trade agreements in place. Most duties are ad valorem – meaning a set percentage is charged on the CIF value of the goods.
For certain sectors, especially high-tech products and some agricultural goods, China offers reduced rates or exemptions to encourage foreign investment and trade. The exact rate for each HS code should be checked in the official Chinese tariff or through your freight forwarder.
China’s Average Customs Rates – General Overview
After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), China significantly lowered its average customs rates. Average duties dropped from around 15% in the early 2000s to roughly 10% by the middle of that decade, with lower rates for industrial goods and higher rates for some agricultural products. For many information technology products, the duty is zero under the WTO Information Technology Agreement.
In addition, China introduced zero duties on imports from 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, which further shows the trend toward opening the Chinese market to the Global South. Read more about this in our article China’s zero-tariff access for 53 African countries .
Note: These figures are indicative and historical. Customs rates change over time; always check official customs databases or consult a freight forwarder or customs agent for current rates.
Chinese Customs Contact Information
- China General Administration of Customs (GACC)
- Foreign Affairs Division
- Avenue Jian Guo Men Wai 6, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Tel: (86 10) 6519 5399
- Fax: (86 10) 6512 8849
- Official website: www.customs.gov.cn
On these pages, you can find details about China’s customs regulations, procedures, and tariffs, as well as ask specific questions. In practice, most importers still rely on local freight forwarders and their country’s national customs databases.
Where to Check Customs Rates for Your Country
Customs tariffs around the world are based on HS codes, but the rates vary from country to country. For imports from China into the region (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the EU, etc.), the starting point is the official customs authority website and/or TARIC systems.
You can find an overview of national and international tariffs on the World Customs Organization website.
For practical use, the fastest way is to:
- Find the HS code for your product.
- Open the official customs tariff of the importing country.
- Check the customs duty rate and any additional charges, such as excise duty, anti-dumping duty, or special fees.
In most systems, customs is calculated on the goods value + transport costs (the CIF base), and then VAT and any other charges are added during the customs clearance process.
Customs Websites and Tariff Portals by Country – Useful Links
The links below are for information only. For important decisions, always check the latest version of the regulations or speak with a freight forwarder.
For EU member states (for example Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Hungary), customs rates for imports from China are based on the EU Common Customs Tariff (TARIC), so the rates by HS/CN code are the same across all member states. National customs websites are just different entry points to the same system.
| Country | Customs or tariff website | Additional resource |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | bmf.gv.at | - |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | uino.gov.ba | mvteo.gov.ba |
| Bulgaria | customs.bg | - |
| Montenegro | Customs | taric.carina.co.me |
| Croatia | carina.hr | customs tariff |
| Hungary | vam.hu | - |
| North Macedonia | customs.gov.mk | |
| Romania | customs.ro | - |
| Slovenia | e-Customs | - |
| Slovakia | FS portal | - |
| Serbia | Uredba_CT2024 | Agreement on customs cooperation with China |
| Czech Republic | celnisprava.cz | - |
| EU TARIC Consultation | TARIC Consultation | |
Customs Guide
Customs clearance and documentation for imports from China
In this guide, we walk you through the customs process step by step – from the essential paperwork to a real-world duty and VAT calculation.
Customs clearance basics
A simple explanation of duties and the CIF value, an overview of import duty levels for Chinese products, and useful links to customs tariff databases by country.
HS codes for imports from China – practical guide
What HS codes are, how to find the correct code for your product, how they affect duty rates, and why misclassification can lead to delays and extra costs.
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