🇩🇪 Germany → 🇨🇳 China
Compliance path
No bilateral or EU-wide FTA with China. EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was signed 2020 but ratification suspended 2021. EU-origin shipments to China face MFN tariffs (3-25% depending on HS chapter) plus 13% VAT. Personal-import under CNY 1,000 clears duty-free under the personal-import threshold.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from Germany to China?
Travellers entering China from Germany are subject to China's personal allowances and declaration rules. The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 1.5 L
- Cigarette allowance: 400
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 730
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 5000
2. Can I post goods from Germany to China?
Parcels move through China's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 12 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
International postal parcels are subject to customs inspection by GACC/China Post. Postal articles are assessed for duty and VAT. Items with commercial quantities or value are subject to full customs procedures.
3. Can I import commercially from Germany to China?
Yes. Commercial importers into China need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
No FTA is in force on this lane, so MFN tariff rates apply. China levies 13% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: RMB 150.
For cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), a single-transaction limit of RMB 5,000 and annual limit of RMB 26,000 per individual applies; qualifying CBEC goods are taxed at a preferential integrated tax rate. For traditional customs, the de minimis (personal postal articles) is RMB 50 for taxes — effectively, most imports from overseas face some taxation. Business imports: general customs duties, VAT (13%), and consumption tax apply.
5. FTA + rules of origin
No FTA is in force on this lane. MFN tariff applies; check General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)'s tariff tool for line-level rates.
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by China.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into China:
- Food and agricultural products (GACC registration required for exporters; China Inspection and Quarantine — CIQ)
- Pharmaceuticals (NMPA (formerly CFDA) approval required)
- Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Public Security strict permits required)
- Certain chemicals and hazardous materials
- Radioactive materials
- Seeds and plant materials (phytosanitary certificate required)
9. Official sources
- General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) — destination customs authority.
- Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) — origin customs authority.
- China country profile — full source panel and rule index.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from Germany to China as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from Germany entering China are subject to China's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 1.5 L. Cigarette allowance: 400. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 730. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from Germany to China?
Yes — parcels move through China's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 12 days. De minimis: RMB 150. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from Germany to China?
Yes. Commercial imports into China require an importer of record, customs declaration via General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. MFN duty applies; check the destination's tariff tool for the applicable rate.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Non-FTA lane: MFN tariff applies. China levies 13% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below RMB 150.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
No agreement is in force on this lane, so a Certificate of Origin is not required for preferential duty. It is still useful for valuation and product-compliance purposes.
What is China's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering China must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 5000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.