Asia
Trade terms in China: what works and what catches people out
Imports into China are normally declared by a Chinese importer (agent, distributor or foreign-invested enterprise). Foreign insurance is reported acceptable only up to the point of entry. Food and agricultural exporters need GACC facility registration before shipping.
Record last reviewed · Check a route to China →
DDP when importing into China Practically hard Needs review
Can a foreign seller clear the goods and pay import taxes in this country?
Likely hard. trade.gov describes the Chinese importer (agent, distributor, joint venture or foreign-invested enterprise) as the party that assembles documents and deals with Customs, and declarants must be filed with Chinese Customs as consignees. We have not yet found a primary source confirming whether an offshore seller can be the consignee.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) · last checked
CIF when importing into China Usable with conditions Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that cover bought abroad is accepted for CIF/CIP only up to the point of entry; insurance for the onward leg inside the country has to be placed locally.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIP when importing into China Usable with conditions Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that cover bought abroad is accepted for CIF/CIP only up to the point of entry; insurance for the onward leg inside the country has to be placed locally.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
EXW when exporting from China Unverified Unverified
Can a foreign buyer handle export clearance out of this country?
No EXW barrier is listed for China in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FCA when exporting from China Unverified Unverified
Are there export-filing traps when the buyer arranges carriage from this country?
No FCA barrier is listed for China in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FOB when exporting from China Unverified Unverified
Are there local quirks with FOB when shipping from this country?
No FOB barrier is listed for China in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
Key facts
- Licences & registrations ✓ Verified
Facilities exporting food and agricultural products to China must be registered with GACC before shipping; some can self-register, others need their home authority's help.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
Sources used on this page
- China – Import Requirements and Documentation — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- Service guide: record filing of consignees/consignors of import and export goods — General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
- National regulatory barriers to the Incoterms® 2020 rules (updated January 2025) — International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Snapshot as of December 2024, compiled from ICC national committees. Used as a lead list: facts that rely only on this document are flagged for review until confirmed against national law.
'Needs review' means the fact relies on a secondary source (often ICC's January 2025 barrier list) or an inference we have not yet confirmed against the national law. Spotted an error or a change? Tell us.