China export customs clearance handled at origin, with destination import clearance and DDP coordinated through licensed brokers — so your goods cross the border with the right classification, documents and duties in order.
Customs clearance is where a shipment either moves or stalls. TJ China Logistics handles export customs clearance at origin in China — classification, declaration, and the documents that travel with your cargo — and coordinates import clearance at destination through licensed customs brokers, including DDP arrangements where you want duties and taxes handled for you. We are a freight forwarder coordinating clearance on your behalf, not a licensed customs broker or the importer of record; the customs authority makes the ruling, and we manage the booking, paperwork, and communication around it. To scope the work, the facts to confirm are your product, its value, the origin and destination countries, and the Incoterm you’re shipping under.
Every commercial shipment leaving China clears export customs, and every import clears again at destination. Small errors — a wrong code, a vague description, an undervalued invoice — are the most common cause of holds, penalties, and delivery delays.
No duty-free threshold for the US. The US $800 de minimis exemption that many low-value parcels once relied on has been suspended — and as of 2026 it remains in force indefinitely. Most commercial imports from China now need a formal or informal customs entry, with duty and tax assessed on any value.
Tell us the product, value, and destination and we will map exactly what clearance your shipment needs.
Clearance always involves several parties. Here is exactly what we manage at each stage — and who stays responsible for the customs decision and the import entry.
| Stage | What TJ coordinates | Performed / approved by |
|---|---|---|
| China export declaration | HS classification, export documents, and filing at origin | China Customs (accepts the declaration) |
| Booking & documents | Preparing and checking invoice, packing list, and transport documents | You / your supplier (accurate data) |
| Import clearance | Appointing and briefing a licensed broker; document handover | Destination customs; importer of record; licensed broker |
| Duties & taxes | Estimating landed cost; arranging DDP payment where booked | Destination authority sets the amount |
| Release & delivery | Coordinating cargo release and onward delivery | Consignee availability to receive |
From classifying the product to settling duty at destination — coordinated by one team.
We confirm the tariff code that drives your duty rate and clearance before you ship.
We file the export declaration with China Customs at origin.
Invoice, packing list, and certificates prepared and checked for consistency.
We appoint and brief a licensed broker at destination and hand over documents.
An indicative landed-cost view so you can budget before you commit.
Duties and taxes arranged and built into the price when you ship DDP.
The right HS code, a clean invoice, and the documents customs expects — prepared before your cargo ships.
The Incoterm you agree with your supplier allocates who arranges — and pays for — export clearance, import clearance, and duties: a commercial split of responsibility and cost between seller and buyer. It doesn’t change who is legally the importer of record. For customs the terms that matter most are DAP (you handle import clearance and duty) and DDP (the seller side arranges and pays both).
Under DAP you (or your broker) clear import and pay duties; under DDP that is arranged for you and built into the price. TJ commonly handles China export for your supplier and coordinates the destination side — tell us who should be importer of record and we will recommend a term.
Import charges come down to three things: how the goods are classified, the value they are declared at, and the rate the destination country applies.
Classifies the product and sets the duty rate. The first six digits are international; countries extend them.
Usually the transaction value on the invoice, sometimes plus freight and insurance depending on the country.
The duty rate on the value, plus VAT / GST or sales tax where the destination charges it.
Declare an accurate value. The invoice must reflect the real transaction. Under-declaring or marking commercial goods as “gifts” risks reassessment, penalties, and inspection — and the delay costs more than the duty saved. Rates and rules change; we confirm the current position for your product and destination at quote.
Accurate, consistent documents keep clearance moving. Your exact set depends on the product and destination.
Declared value, terms, and parties — the basis for duty.
Cartons, weights, and dimensions per shipment.
The carrier’s transport document for the cargo.
Classification, materials, and use — so duty is calculated correctly.
Where required for duty preference or import rules.
So a licensed broker can clear import on the importer of record’s behalf.
We check your product, value, and documents and confirm the HS classification.
Invoice, packing list, and certificates prepared and checked before shipping.
We file the export declaration with China Customs at origin.
A licensed broker at destination is briefed and files the import entry.
Duties and taxes settled, cargo released, and onward delivery arranged.
The top cause of holds and duty reassessment; we classify before you ship.
Customs can reassess, fine, and inspect; the invoice must reflect the real transaction.
Descriptions, quantities, and values must agree across every document.
Some goods need origin certificates, permits, or agency approvals to clear.
Import can’t clear until the IOR and broker are appointed; line them up early.
US sea imports need the ISF filed at least 24 hours before loading — we coordinate it on time.
Most goods can still ship — they just need the right permits, marking, and paperwork. Flag anything below when you request a quote.
| Category | What it means for clearance |
|---|---|
| Regulated / licensed goods | Food, cosmetics, and some electronics may need permits or agency approval before import. |
| Dangerous goods & batteries | Require correct classification, documentation, and sometimes a special entry. |
| Branded / IP goods | Branded items need proof of authorization to avoid seizure at the border. |
| Dual-use / controlled items | May need export licenses from China and import controls at destination. |
| Undervalued goods or “gifts” | Marking commercial goods as gifts or undervaluing them risks penalties and seizure. |
When in doubt, declare it. Undeclared or misdeclared goods can be seized, fined, or returned at your cost. Send product details up front and we will confirm what clearance and paperwork apply.
We coordinate and document; the licensed broker and the customs authority decide. That division keeps your clearance both fast and compliant.
Bundle clearance with the freight so the whole journey is handled by one team.
We are a freight forwarder. We handle export customs clearance in China and coordinate import clearance at destination through licensed customs brokers. The importer of record and the licensed broker remain responsible for the import entry; we manage the classification, documents, and communication around it.
The importer of record, based on the destination country’s rules and the goods’ classification and value — unless you ship DDP, where the seller side arranges and pays them and builds the cost into the price.
Under DAP you clear import and pay duty at destination; under DDP that is arranged and paid for you. See the Incoterms chart above for who handles each stage.
For the United States, no. The $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended and, as of 2026, remains in place indefinitely, so most commercial imports now need a formal or informal entry regardless of value. Other countries set their own thresholds — we confirm the current rule for your destination.
The Harmonized System code classifies your product. The first six digits are international; countries extend it (the US HTS uses ten). It drives the duty rate and clearance, so a wrong code causes holds and reassessment. We classify before you ship.
For US ocean imports, the Importer Security Filing requires ten data elements from the importer and two from the carrier, filed at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at origin. Late or missing filings can be penalized up to $5,000 per violation, so we coordinate it on time.
At minimum a commercial invoice and packing list, the product details for classification, and the origin and destination. Some goods also need certificates, permits, or a power of attorney for the destination broker.
We handle China export clearance directly and coordinate import clearance through licensed brokers in most destination countries. Tell us the destination and we will confirm coverage and requirements.
Send your product, its value, and the origin and destination, and we will confirm the HS classification, documents, and duties your shipment needs, then quote the clearance and freight together.
Request a customs quote