Comprehensive Guide for Foreign Tourists: Shipping Purchases from China to Your Home Country

I. Pre-Purchase Preparation: Know Before You Buy

1. Understand China’s Export Regulations

• Prohibited Items:

  Category	Examples	Reason
  Cultural Relics	Antiquities, ancient artworks (over 100 years old)	Requires official export permits from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
  Endangered Species Products	Ivory, Tibetan antelope wool, rare wood (e.g., agarwood)	Strictly banned under CITES regulations; penalties include fines and imprisonment.
  Food & Plants	Fresh fruits, meat products, herbal medicines	May require quarantine certificates; high risk of confiscation.
  Electronics & Batteries	Uncertified drones, lithium batteries exceeding 100Wh	Air transport restrictions; must be declared and packed according to IATA rules.

• Tax-Free Shopping Threshold:
  • Tourists can claim VAT refund (增值税退税) on purchases over CNY 500 in a single store on the same day, with a total trip refund limit of CNY 100,000. Keep original invoices (发票 fāpiào) and the goods unused in sealed packaging.

2. Research Shipping Options in Advance

• Key Considerations:
  • Item Type: Fragile items (porcelain, jade) require specialized packaging; heavy goods (furniture, carpets) may need sea freight.
  • Urgency: Air shipping (3–7 days) vs. sea shipping (20–40 days); courier services (DHL, FedEx) offer tracking, while postal services (China Post) are cheaper but slower.
  • Cost: Compare rates using platforms like 17Track (track packages) or ShipChina (quotes from multiple carriers).

3. Prepare Essential Documents

• Required for Shipping:
  • Passport Copy: Needed for customs declaration and VAT refund applications.
  • Purchase Invoices: Must include item descriptions in English/Chinese, prices, and the seller’s tax registration number.
  • Certificate of Origin (CO): Required for certain goods (e.g., made-in-China electronics, branded goods) to prove legitimacy and avoid counterfeit penalties.

II. During Purchase: Key Actions to Take

1. Choose Retailers Wisely

• Recommended Stores for Easy Shipping:
  • Department Stores (e.g., SKP Beijing, IAPM Shanghai): Offer in-store shipping services (usually via DHL/FedEx) and assist with customs forms.
  • Specialty Markets (e.g., Yiwu Market, Guangzhou Wholesale Markets): Many vendors have partnerships with freight forwarders; ask for “门到门服务 mén dào mén fúwù” (door-to-door service).
  • E-Commerce Platforms (Taobao, Tmall): Use Taobao Agent Services (e.g., Superbuy, CSSbuy) for consolidated shipping, especially for multiple small purchases.

2. Communicate Shipping Needs to Sellers

• Useful Phrases in Chinese:
  plaintext

  "Can you help arrange shipping to [country]?" – 你能帮忙安排寄到[国家]吗？  
  "I need a detailed invoice for customs." – 我需要一份详细的海关发票。  
  "Please mark the package as a gift with low value." – 请将包裹标记为礼物，价值标低。  
  
• Negotiate Shipping Costs:
  • In wholesale markets, shipping fees are often negotiable when purchasing in bulk. Vendors may offer discounted rates with their preferred logistics partners.

3. Check for Proper Packaging and Labels

• Fragile Items:
  • Insist on double-layered cardboard boxes with foam inserts or bubble wrap. Sellers in Jingdezhen (porcelain capital) typically provide custom wooden crates for delicate ceramics (额外收费 éwài shōufèi).
• Branded Goods:
  • Ensure authenticity certificates are included (for 奢侈品 shēchǐpǐn like watches, handbags), as customs may require them to avoid counterfeit seizures.

III. Shipping Methods: Detailed Breakdown

A. Airport Luggage Shipping (For Small Items)

• Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage:
  • Carry-On Restrictions: Liquids >100ml, sharp objects (e.g., tea knives), and lithium batteries must be checked. Use hard-shell cases for fragile items in checked luggage.
  • Weight Limits: Most airlines allow 23kg per checked bag for economy class; excess baggage fees are steep (e.g., CNY 150/kg for Air China).
• Tip: Use Luggage Forward Services (e.g., Luggage To Ship, Send My Bag) to pre-ship bulky items from your hotel to the airport or directly to your home, avoiding airport overweight charges.

B. International Courier Services (For Urgent/High-Value Items)

• Top Providers in China:

  Company	Strengths	Average Cost (1kg to USA)	Transit Time
  DHL	Widely used for documents/electronics; excellent customs clearance.	CNY 300–400	3–5 days
  FedEx	Competitive for heavy packages (5–20kg); online tracking in English.	CNY 280–350	4–6 days
  SF Express (顺丰国际)	Dominant in China; offers cold-chain shipping for food (e.g., tea, preserved goods).	CNY 250–300	5–7 days

• Booking Process:
  1. Call the courier’s English hotline (DHL: +86 400 810 8000; SF Express: +86 95338, press 9 for English).
  2. Provide shipment details: sender address (Chinese), receiver address (English), item description (HS code if known), value declaration.
  3. Arrange pickup or drop off at a service center (DHL has offices in all Tier 1 cities).

C. Sea Freight (For Large/Bulky Items: Furniture, Artworks)

• When to Use:
  • Items over 30kg or with dimensions >120cm (e.g., Chinese antiques, custom-made furniture from Foshan).
  • Cost-effective for non-urgent shipments (e.g., a 100kg package to Europe via sea costs ~CNY 2,000, vs. CNY 8,000 by air).
• Process Steps:
  1. Find a Freight Forwarder: Use platforms like Alibaba Logistics or local agents in ports (Shanghai, Shenzhen). Ensure they handle customs documentation.
  2. Packaging: Use wooden crates with 熏蒸证明 xūn zhēng zhèngmíng (fumigation certificate) for wooden materials to pass quarantine.
  3. Customs Clearance: Forwarders will prepare bills of lading (B/L), commercial invoices, and packing lists. Expect 5–7 days for port processing.
  4. Delivery: Most sea freight is “port-to-port”; arrange local delivery with a partner carrier at the destination.

D. China Post International (For Budget Options)

• Services Offered:
  • EMS (Express Mail Service): Faster than regular post (7–15 days), trackable, and compatible with customs systems worldwide.
  • Surface Mail (水陆路包裹): Cheapest but slow (40–60 days), the best for non-urgent, lightweight items (e.g., silk scarves, tea sets).
• Restrictions:
  • Maximum weight per package: 30kg for EMS, 20kg for surface mail.
  • Prohibited: batteries, liquids, and all items on the international postal forbidden list.
• How to Use:
  1. Go to a China Post Office (中国邮政 Zhōngguó Yóuzhèng; locate via Baidu Maps).
  2. Fill out the customs declaration form in English, listing each item with its value and purpose (“gift” or “personal use”).
  3. Pay fees based on weight and destination (e.g., CNY 150 for a 2kg EMS package to Japan).

IV. Customs Compliance: Avoid Delays and Fees

1. Understand Your Home Country’s Import Rules

• Key Considerations:
  • Duty-Free Allowance:
    • USA: USD 800/person for goods bought abroad; higher for alcohol/tobacco (check CBP guidelines).
    • EU: EUR 150 for goods; VAT charged on items over EUR 22.
  • Prohibited Items in Destination Countries:
    • Australia: Strict quarantine for 木制品 mù zhìpǐn (wooden products), require IPPC stamps.
    • Canada: Bans food from China without inspection (e.g., dried mushrooms, herbal teas).

2. Prepare Declarations Correctly

• Critical Fields on Customs Forms:
  • HS Code (Harmonized System Code): Use 6-digit codes (e.g., 691310 for porcelain tableware) to classify items accurately.
  • Value Declaration: Declare the purchase price (in USD/EUR), not the retail value, to minimize duties. Mark “gift” if applicable (some countries exempt gifts under a certain value).
  • Purpose of Shipment: Always use “personal use” or “gift” (avoid “commercial” to prevent business-related taxes).

3. Handle VAT Refund in China

• Process at Departure:
  1. At major airports (Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong), go to the VAT Refund Counter (usually near customs).
  2. Present:
     • Original passport, boarding pass, and purchase invoices (with the “退税专用” stamp).
     • Unused goods in their original packaging (customs may inspect them).
  3. Choose refund method: cash (CNY only, up to CNY 3,000) or credit card (refund takes 1–3 months).

V. Packaging Tips for Different Item Types

1. Fragile Items (Porcelain, Glass, Artwork)

• Step-by-Step Packaging:
  1. Inner Layer: Wrap each item in acid-free tissue paper, then bubble wrap (3 layers for extra protection).
  2. Middle Layer: Use styrofoam inserts or air cushions to fill empty space in the box; never let items touch each other.
  3. Outer Layer: Double-walled cardboard box with “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” labels in English and Chinese.
  4. Extra Protection for Antiques: Add a moisture-absorbing packet (silica gel) and use corner protectors for wooden frames.

2. Electronics (Phones, Cameras, Drones)

• Regulations:
  • Drones require a remote ID and airworthiness certificate for export; check IATA dangerous goods regulations for lithium batteries.
• Packaging:
  • Remove batteries (carry them in carry-on luggage per airline rules).
  • Use original retail boxes for better shock absorption; include all accessories and manuals for customs verification.

3. Textiles and Clothing (Silk, Cashmere)

• Space-Saving Tips:
  • Use vacuum-sealed bags to reduce volume (especially for bulky winter clothes).
  • Declare natural fibers (silk, wool) separately, as some countries impose quarantine for animal-derived materials.

4. Food and Herbs (Tea, Dried Fruits)

• Quarantine Risks:
  • Avoid sending meat, dairy, or fresh produce; opt for vacuum-sealed, shelf-stable items (e.g., Pu’er tea, goji berries).
• Labeling:
  • Include an ingredient list in English, stating “dried, processed, safe for consumption” to pass customs inspections.

VI. Tracking and Problem-Solving

1. Track Your Shipment

• Tools for Real-Time Updates:
  • 17Track: Aggregates tracking numbers from 300+ carriers (enter the 13-digit code starting with “CN” for China Post).
  • Courier Apps: DHL Mobile, FedEx Tracking, SF Express International (all support English interfaces).
• Common Status Updates:

  Status	Action Needed
  “Customs Inspection”	Wait 1–3 days; contact the carrier if delayed beyond 5 days.
  “Address Undeliverable”	Contact the receiver to confirm address accuracy; ask the carrier to hold the package at a local office.

2. Handle Shipment Issues

• Lost Packages:
  1. File a claim with the carrier within 7 days of expected delivery (provide tracking number, proof of value, and photos of items).
  2. For China Post, submit a claim at the post office where you shipped, with a copy of your passport and shipping receipt.
• Damaged Goods:
  • Take photos of the damaged package and items immediately.
  • Contact the carrier’s claims department (most require reports within 24 hours of delivery).
  • For high-value items, purchase additional insurance (e.g., DHL offers up to USD 100,000 coverage for declared values).

3. Deal with Customs Duties Abroad

• How to Minimize Duties:
  • Split large orders into multiple packages (below the duty-free threshold of your country).
  • Use phrases like “used personal items” on declarations for second-hand goods (e.g., vintage furniture).
• Paying Duties:
  • Carriers will notify you via email/phone; pay online through their portal or at a local customs office.

VII. Case Studies: Real-World Scenarios

Case 1: Shipping a Porcelain Vase from Jingdezhen

1. Purchase: Bought a CNY 8,000 vase at a certified workshop; obtained a certificate of authenticity and VAT invoice.
2. Shipping Choice: Selected DHL for fragility and speed (3-day transit to the UK).
3. Packaging: Workshop provided a custom wooden crate with foam inserts; DHL added 易碎标签 yì suì biāo qiān.
4. Customs: Declared value as USD 1,000 (purchase price), marked as “artwork for personal collection”; UK customs approved without duties.

Case 2: Sending Bulk Purchases from Yiwu Market

1. Items: 50kg of wholesale textiles (scarves, tablecloths) costing CNY 15,000.
2. Shipping Choice: Sea freight via a Yiwu-based forwarder (cost: CNY 3,500, transit time 25 days to Germany).
3. Process: Forwarder handled 熏蒸处理 xūn zhēng chǔ lǐ for the cardboard boxes, prepared commercial invoices with HS code 630790.
4. Delivery: Goods arrived duty-free in Germany as the value per kg was below the EU’s VAT threshold.

VIII. Summary Checklist for Shipping from China

IX. Conclusion: Efficient, Secure Shipping from China