Important Import/Export News
Worldwide Customs & Regulatory Updates

January 1, 2004

New China Customs regulations are implemented

Effective 1^st January 2004, China has implemented new express shipment customs regulations. Under these new regulations, only "documents" and "sample and advertising material" can enjoy a simplified declaration process. All other shipments are required to go through a formal declaration process. This applies to both shipments imported to and exported from China.

In order to enjoy the simplified declaration process, shippers sending "samples" or "advertising material" to and from China must indicate explicitly on the air waybill and commercial invoice the wording "sample" or "advertising material", AFTER the specific description in the Commodity Description column. Otherwise, the shipment will go through the formal declaration process that may take at least 1-2 more days.

Category of Shipment	Specification	Paperwork Required for Customs Clearance
Document	Documents, contracts, tickets, accounting statements, invoices, training materials etc. which have no commercial value.	Air Waybill
Personal Effects	Personal items of entry and exit passengers, gifts between relatives and friends, and other personal items stipulated by China customs. Personal effects must be for personal use only and of reasonable quantity.	Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, Consignee's Identification Card (photocopy)
Cargo	1. Non-dutiable, simplified clearance process: a) Samples and advertising material of shipment value less than RMB400 b) Customs duty & tax or VAT less than RMB50	Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice
	2. Dutiable, simplified clearance process:Sample and advertising material of shipment value RMB400-RMB5000	Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, Packing list (multiple shipments)
	3. Formal declaration: a) All restricted commodities and shipments requiring foreign exchange payment. b) Other shipments not belonging to any of the above categories.	Air Waybill, Commercial Invoice, Contract (copy), Import/Export License (by request), Entry/Exit Permit (by request), Packing list (multiple shipments)

FedEx strongly encourages you to follow this instruction, as failure to comply will result in shipments being delayed both into and out of China.

FedEx will continue to monitor the status of the new provisions and take the necessary steps to keep you informed. Please contact your local Customs office or FedEx for any specific local Customs guidelines. Details of the new regulations are available on China's Customs General Administration website at www.customs.gov.cn.