[Guide to Moving to Mainland China] Procedures, Taxes, Insurance, and Precautions for Moving Back to Mainland China

Moving often involves carrying a large amount of personal belongings back to mainland China. However, due to strict regulations on import and export goods in China, goods must undergo customs clearance in addition to transportation. Therefore, when moving, it is recommended to move a reasonable number of personal daily necessities and avoid transporting brand-new items or luxury goods. To prevent violations of the special regulations from resulting in the unauthorized smuggling of prohibited items out of the country or incurring hefty taxes, cross-border moving companies can handle customs clearance and delivery, but they must also comply with shipping regulations.

Furniture

Used bed frames, sofas, wardrobes, and dining tables and chairs.

Electrical appliances

Used televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines; brand-new appliances may be subject to tax.

Personal care products

Clothing, accessories, shoes, handbags, daily necessities, kitchenware, quilts, books, etc., excluding luxury goods.

Souvenirs and miscellaneous items

Photos, personal souvenirs, fitness equipment, decorative items, etc., excluding luxury goods.

counterfeit products

Counterfeit currency, infringing items such as CDs, goods, etc.

Animals, plants and food

Fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and endangered animals and plants; Exporting Cats and Dogs from Hong Kong to the Mainland must comply with the regulations of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China.

Dangerous materials

Flammable and explosive materials, corrosive substances, drugs, firearms and ammunition, controlled knives, etc.

drug

Chinese medicinal herbs, controlled or unapproved psychotropic and prescription drugs

vehicle

Vehicles without import permits

other

Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars), alcoholic beverages, ivory, rosewood, etc.

1. Get quotes from moving companies and plan the delivery route.

There are several ways to move your belongings to mainland China, including land transport, sea transport, and air transport. If you have no experience moving to mainland China, it is recommended that you find a reputable moving company to provide an on-site estimate and consultation. They will assess the types and volumes of your items, provide a quote, and plan a transport route based on the quantity of items and the moving time.

2. Prepare a detailed packing list.

Because customs clearance requires a very detailed list of the shipped items, a list specifying the name, quantity, purpose, and approximate value of each item is crucial. Fragile, valuable, or special-purpose items should be noted first. Any excess, undeclared, or prohibited items discovered may result in shipping delays or fines.

3. Prepare customs declaration documents

The following documents are required for customs clearance:

• Valid identity document from Hong Kong or China (ID Card/work visa, etc.)
• Detailed packing list
• Purchase receipts (if the items are brand new or valuable)
• Proof of residence, destination address

Once the documents are submitted, customs clearance can be completed, and the process information and tax estimates can be obtained.

4. Packing and boxing the items to be moved and shipping them across borders.

Once the packing list is ready, you can choose appropriate packaging materials to disassemble the furniture into pieces, pack them into boxes, and arrange cross-border shipping as needed.

5. Customs declaration and clearance

Cross-border moving requires customs declaration and clearance. After the moving company declares the goods, customs officers will review the documents and may conduct random checks on the luggage as appropriate. If any excess or sensitive items are found, the owner will be required to pay additional taxes or submit additional certificates. After customs clearance is completed, a release notice will be issued, indicating that the items can enter the mainland.

6. Transport to the new home and settle the belongings.

After the items are inspected at the port, they will be delivered to your new home. It is best to inspect the items on the spot upon receipt, check the packing list, and inspect for any damage. If there are any problems, take photos or videos immediately for inquiry and insurance claims.

According to regulations, resident travelers aged 18 or above who enter the mainland from Hong Kong or Macau have a RMB 12,000 duty-free allowance for carry-on baggage. At ports of entry with duty-free shops, the total allowance, including duty-free purchases and personal belongings, is RMB 15,000. If the baggage is in separate shipments, the holder needs to obtain customs approval beforehand, starting from the date of entry. The luggage will be delivered to the mainland within 6 months.

1. Duty-free allowance for carry-on baggage exceeding RMB 12,000

Amounts exceeding RMB 12,000 are subject to tax.

2. Large, indivisible objects

Large items that cannot be divided and moved, such as pianos, are subject to full taxation.

3. Brand new items

Brand new furniture or home furnishings are usually subject to taxation.

4. 20 categories of goods subject to mandatory taxation

20 Commodities Subject to Mandatory TaxationThis includes televisions, cameras, video recorders, video players, audio equipment, air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, cameras, photocopiers, program-controlled telephone exchanges, microcomputers and peripherals, telephones, wireless paging systems, fax machines, computers, typewriters and word processors, furniture, lamps, and food supplies (referring to condiments, meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, aquatic products, fruits, beverages, wine, and dairy products).

5. Luxury Goods

Luxury goods not for personal use or brand new are subject to a tax of 20% to 50%, depending on the category. If a large number of luxury goods are shipped, it may be considered commercial use and subject to full taxation and penalties.

Basically, if the item is for personal use and the tax payable does not exceed RMB 50, it is exempt from taxation. The applicable tax rate is based on the Customs Commodity Classification (HS Code) and the annual tax rate list. Most common items, such as electronic products, clothing, and furniture, are subject to comprehensive import taxes (customs duties, value-added tax, and consumption tax).

Imported goods to mainland China generally include the following three major taxes and fees:

1. Customs Duties: Check the applicable tax rate according to tariff codes
2. Import value-added tax: The standard tax rate is usually 13%.
3. Consumption tax: Levied only on specific consumer goods (such as tobacco, alcohol, cosmetics, luxury goods, etc.).

The "Postal Articles Tax" is a single import tax levied on personal items carried or mailed into China for personal use. It combines customs duties, import value-added tax, and consumption tax. The tax rate is adjusted periodically according to Chinese customs regulations, and it is currently categorized by 4 tax rate levels: 3%, 13%, 20% and 50%.

The main methods for transporting goods when moving to the mainland are land transportation, sea transportation, and express delivery. The most suitable method can be selected according to the weight, quantity, and urgency of the items.

The cost of moving from Hong Kong to mainland China mainly consists of basic shipping costs, labor costs in both locations, packing costs, and customs clearance fees. If the items being transported are of the same volume and weight, the main price difference lies in the distance from the destination and the route taken.

Based on the distance to the destination and the route, moving to Shenzhen is the cheapest, while Dongguan, Huizhou, and Zhongshan, which are farther away, are more expensive. Zhuhai has the highest overall cost due to the longer travel time and the involvement of cross-border ferries or detours via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Other fee references

Generally, Home insurance plans in Hong Kong do not cover the loss of property during relocation to the mainland. It only covers properties registered in Hong Kong, and the risk of damage during the move usually only covers property transported by professional moving companies within Hong Kong, and does not cover damage or loss that occurs during cross-border transportation.

When moving to the mainland, reputable moving companies usually provide transportation insurance to protect items from damage or loss during transportation. At the same time, you should also pay attention to the compensation terms and conditions. For example, some moving companies do not insure "self-packed" items.

Moving personal old items

Since brand-new items may be subject to taxation, it is recommended to primarily move older furniture, appliances, clothing, and ordinary decorations. For appliances, it is advisable to keep the receipts to prove they are not brand new, and the size and quantity should be reasonable for personal use. Also, be aware of whether any items include prohibited items for smuggling into mainland China to avoid being charged extra fees at customs.

Honest Customs Declaration

When packing and packing your belongings, you must clearly list each item you are carrying. It is best to prepare a detailed packing list in both Chinese and English (listing the name, quantity, condition, and value of each item) to avoid omitting or misreporting items. If you are found to have failed to declare items during customs clearance, you may have to pay back customs duties and fines, or your belongings may be confiscated, and you may even be charged with smuggling.

Measuring the number of furniture items to be moved

Since moving companies usually charge based on the weight and volume of the items, the moving fee for some low-value and old appliances may be higher than buying new furniture. You may consider abandoning them or selling them at your old home and buying them after moving to your new home.