Frequent Problems at Customs Clearance
27. June 2014Customs Clearance in China poses a significant challenge for most companies. Lack of transparency, seemingly ambiguous tariffs, required product regulations, and licensing issues are only a few of the barriers a shipper may face.
Additionally, it is often difficult to correctly classify a product, especially in regards to harmonized customs tariff numbers in connection with the CCC obligations. Incorrect classification of a product can result in the product being mistaken for a product needing CCC certification. Customs tariff numbers (HS Codes) indicate an authorization or certification requirement, so any mistake with the HS Code may result in customs requiring to see a CCC certificate and detaining the product.
Application of the HS Code for Determine the CCC Obligations of Products
The HS Code (HS stands for “harmonized system”) or the respective customs tariff number, is often used, mistakenly, by companies as an indicator to determine the CCC obligation of products or single components. This often results in detained goods at Chinese customs.
In 2012, the Chinese authority CNCA published a list with 491 HS Codes and the corresponding GB Standard since then that list has since been expanded to 892 codes. This list is helpful to figure out the corresponding GB Standard, but should not be used to determine the CCC obligation of products. For all reliable determinations of CCC obligation, the product should be analyzed according to its specific product functions and performance.
Problems with using the HS Code for CCC determination:
- HS Code does not reflect the performance and/or features of the products which does not provide a good basis of comparison with the GB-Standards.
- HS Codes are independent from the CCC product catalogue, and are not simultaneously updated. This often results in incorrect correlation of product categories.
- Some HS Codes are not assigned to GB-Standards, although the product requires CCC certification.
Please contact us for a free and non-binding CCC check of your product.
Write us an Email or call us: Germany: +49 69 271 3769 150, UK: +44 2071931135,
US: +1 773 654 2673
For more detailed information please download our free booklet “CCC Made Easy” and “Customs Clearance”
China Certification Corporation consults you for certificates and customs clearance:
- Straightforward, transparent handling of the certification process
- All-inclusive consulting through our German, Chinese and US based offices
- Important contacts to all relevant Chinese institutions
- No Chinese language skills are required, we will handle all of the necessary communications with the certifying authorities and test labs for you
