Hi

I will be relocating to Shanghai in mid-May and plan to ship some used personal items from the US, probably using FedEx - perhaps 5 or 6 boxes. Much of the shipment will be my hifi separates system - amplifier, CD players, floor-standing speakers etc.

I have read on some sites that to import household items you must apply for an import permit, a customs permit, and provide your visa and health certificate etc in advance, and that it may be necessary to pay import duty on such items.

I was wondering if anyone had had any experience with this recently and knew if these regulations are still in force. Any suggestions as to how to minimise complications and problems? Any idea what percentage of value is likely to be levied as import duty?

Many thanks

Hi Bj,

If you bring in goods with FedEx, you are allowed only up to US$50 duty-free. Anything dutiable (such as you mention) will be taxed. If you have more than 50kg it would probably be cheaper to use a removal company to send your goods than sending it by FedEx. You will still have to pay duty. If you arrange to send your goods by air (quicker but usually more expensive) a moving company can usually clear your goods with just your passport. If you send goods by sea you will need an import permit.
I work for a moving company in Shanghai so if you want more information (or a quote!) let me know..

Hi Bj,

The tax and duties for a hi-fi system is usually RMB 700. But varies depending on the size of the system, number of seperate items etc.
As Shangaus mentioned you do need an import permit. For sea-shipment you'll need a work permit, residence permit, and your passport, as well as your company's business license, the Certificate of Approval from Foreign Trade & Economic Committee, and the Customs Registration Certificate. As he mentioned, for airshipment only a passport copy is required.
If you have further questions pls. feel free to contact me.
Moreover, if you do choose to go with a moving company, fell free to contact our US-office for a free Quotation:

Tel: +1 636 349 3600
Fax: +1 636 326 0307
Email: herbert_lorenz@unigroupworldwide.com
Homepage: www.unigroupworldwide.com

Good luck!

Claus Borregaard
Relocation Consultant
Asian Express
One Single Move!
Tel: 1381-786-5468
Email:claus@aemovers.com.hk

Many thanks for your help. Claus: I've emailed your colleague. Shangaus: what is your email please?

Thanks

I've sent you my email address. Please let me know if you didn't get it!

Hi - I recently sent 18 boxes via FedEx Freight Economy (Seattle to Shanghai). Each box was approx. 40lbs (18'x18'x20') I was surprised to find that FedEx Int'l econo freight was cheaper than container freight companies. I shipped all of my stereo equipment, personal pc, printer as well as clothing etc. No additional taxes. Also, they are door-to-door. So you pay them direct and they handle the rest. Nothing was broken. They checked each box. No problems. It took 6 working days to deliver. Not bad for under 2000 US. I did not need to show them a residence permit...only my passport & visa.

Hello,

Could someone provide me with a website that would discuss the amount of duty charged on used personal items being brought to Shanghai?l I have learned a lot from this site, but I would like to know (Ball Park Figure) just what we will be charged.

Our company will cover the charges, but that is not the point. We have just about decided to leave most of our posessions at home. Along with our computers, books, etc., we had thought that we might bring our silver flatware, but someone has told us that there will be a fifty percent import tax on this. Can this be possibly true? If so, I have always enjoyed the convenience of our everyday stainless steel.

I look forward to hearing from somone who has experienced these charges.

Thanks everyone for your advice and input. I went with Fedex in the end as with the volume I was shipping (approx 120kg, 30 cubic feet) I was well below the minimum for most moving companies. I think the shipping charges were around US$1,200 for economy airfreight and the boxes arrived in Shanghai after about 4 days. There was a bit of a delay at customs as if the value of your goods is over RMB5,000 it requires more complex clearance. It took about 4 days to clear customs, and I was charged RMB1,500 in import taxes (on declared value of US$5,700 - mostly expensive CD players and speakers). As adviced I just had to send in a copy of my passport and my visa.

Regarding shipment by Fedex-air freight companies etc.... I just moved to Shanghai from California. I needed to ship approximately 300 lbs of personal items. The lowest quote I received was $ 2750 for door to door, if I provided a whole slew of documents. I contacted American Airlines, and they said that I could take 3 additional pieces of luggage with me on the flight at a cost of $ 110/piece and each piece could be upto 70 lbs ( Flight route LAX to tokyo on AA and connecting with JAL, Tokyo - Shanghai) So, I managed to get 5 peices of luggage, each 70lbs in weight plus carry on items to arrive on the same flight as me, and I just went through the green customs clearance exit in Shanghai, with no problems. Total cost to me... $ 310 !