Customs Clearance & Import Services

With daily customs clearance for all kinds of cargoes at China's many ports and airports, AMBEST stays up to date on China's Customs and Import regulations and has gained much first-hand experience in this area. AMBEST applies these information and experience into every service to our customers.

Our import services include:
Documentation preparation and inspection
Customs clearance
Application for Duty Free Status
Bonded Trans-shipments
Inspection Supervision

Chinese Import Requirements
Packing list and commercial invoice are always required for all clearances; there can be some other documents required on the import of certain kinds of goods. For more information, please contact us. AMBEST excels in the preparation and supervision of documentation. We work with suppliers in advance to make sure that all documents have been prepared correctly by the time of clearance.

Application of Duty and VAT
Most imports to China are subject to not only customs duties, but also the 17% VAT tax. It is possible to calculate the total amount of the duty to be paid by referring to the Customs issued tariff book.

Duty Free Application
Most foreign-invested enterprises are granted duty exemption on their imported capital equipment as part of the investment in China. Once a project has acquired duty free status, the enterprise must still apply for duty free status for each shipment of cargo prior to customs clearance. Once the documents have been collected, AMBEST will apply for duty free status on behalf of the client before the cargo arrives at the port, which will save much of our clients’ time.

Bonded Trans-shipments
Bonded trans-shipments are complicated in that they require document transfer between two customs houses, usually by hand. Most local enterprises are required to clear customs with the local customs house. For enterprises located inland, this means that imports must be transshipped in bond to the job site. AMBEST coordinates transshipments, and works with the customs houses to ensure that document transfer is completed in an efficient and timely way.

Import Inspections
The Commodity Inspection Bureau has three separate functions relating to import procedures:
to check customs documentation prior to customs clearance;
to check whether goods are received damaged, or over-/short shipped;
to check whether the goods in a factory matches the value of the goods declared to customs.

The Plant & Animal Inspection Bureau has the responsibility to inspect and quarantine any cargo they suspect to be infested with pests. Besides foodstuffs, plants and animals, they also inspect all cargo packed in wooden boxes or crates.

The Tally Bureau is in charge of counting pieces of cargo or containers when they are discharged from the ship, noting any obvious damage that occurrence before or during discharge. The tally report is the only report recognized by authorities certifying that damage occurred before the cargo is picked up by the receiver, the stevedores, or other port personnel.

AMBEST coordinates with all of the above agencies and appoints personnel to be present at all inspections.

Project Forwarding

What is a duty free certificate? What commodities require special import licenses? Who is allowed to import into China? Can I clear customs in Tianjin while my company is in Beijing? Are there bonded barges? Bonded rail shipments?

AMBEST specializes in managing the transport of major infrastructure and industrial projects. AMBEST provides up to date information on port and inland road conditions as well as the latest information on Chinese import regulations to assist in the first stages of project planning. Once the project is moving, AMBEST arranges transport from places worldwide to the work sites throughout China.

Our project delivery sites in China include Xingang, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao, etc.

AMBEST expertise lies in:

Project Planning: AMBEST provides crucial assistance to projects in the planning stage. The flow of equipment and/or materials has a major impact on project schedules. By considering import regulations and the transport conditions at an early stage, AMBEST can shave time off delivery schedules. By examining contracts with suppliers and receivers, AMBEST defines where the responsibility for each step of importation and transport lies.

Port Facilitation: AMBEST oversees the port operations for specialized shipments: heavy and oversize pieces as well as break bulk shipments. AMBEST has port professionals who are trained to intervene and supervise port movements to assure safe handling of sensitive shipments. Most ports in China are under the administration of the local municipal government and the stevedoring companies are under the management of the local port authorities. The port stevedores are responsible for discharging the cargo from the vessels and transporting it to a storage area within the confines of the port. AMBEST port personnel work with the port authority and stevedores to ensure they understand the cargo requirements and use the proper equipment. During movements, their expertise is recognized and heeded for all portions of the in-port movements.

Road Transport: AMBEST will offer quality service. Working within the constraints of an infrastructure that remains undeveloped outside of major cities, AMBEST offers on-schedule delivery. We understand the project atmosphere, where delivery of cargo means finding discharging teams and hiring extra equipment. We understand the constraints of the roads and the import inspection process and know when our trucks will arrive. Aided by VHF systems on trucks, but primarily driven by an instilled sense of responsibility and customer service, our drivers report any delays so that our customers can prepare well in advance.

Rail Transport: For many inland shipments, transfer by rail is the only transport method. It is both cost effective and time competitive. For projects inland, AMBEST completes the import procedures and then arranges transfer of the sealed containers by rail to the nearest rail terminal. Through our network of agents, we are able to arrange delivery by truck from the rail terminals up to the work site. We deliver the same smooth service no matter if the destination is the Shanghai suburbs or as far as somewhere in Xinjiang.

River Transport: Our expertise in river transport creates advantage for our customers by an extremely cost effective method of transport. There are numerous ports on the Yangtze River up to Chongqing. International vessels can sail as far as Wuhan, 1,500 miles up the river from Shanghai. Many barges carry cargo between the river ports. AMBEST arranges transfer of import shipments from ocean going vessels to barges. At the destination port, AMBEST arranges carriage directly from the barge to the final destination.

Coastal Transport: AMBEST is a major forwarder utilizing the new container liner services between the major coastal cities of Shanghai, Shekou, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Ningbo. AMBEST offers cost effective door to door services between major port cities. AMBEST also charters 1,000 - 10,000 tons coastal vessels for transport of bulk cargo, services including delivery to the ports, loading, transport, discharge, and delivery to destinations.

Hazardous Materials Transportation

These days, industries are faced with a myriad of challenges in order to be effective and stay competitive. These demands are especially critical when it comes to the proper shipping of hazardous materials. Because national and international transportation regulations are so diverse and constantly changing, it is important not only that your company's personnel have a sound understanding of why and how these regulations affect your business, but also, that they do their job safely and correctly. AMBEST offers a variety of hazardous materials transportation and handling courses, and classes in all modes of transport, giving dangerous goods shipping personnel a complete understanding of the current regulations. AMBEST can help you establish a systematic program to ensure corporate transportation safety compliance. In setting standards the Chemical Industry has to consider the degree of risk involved in transporting different types of hazardous products. Companies must therefore make the distinction between hazard and risk.

Hazard - This is the potential of a substance to cause damage or harm e.g. to burn, explode, corrode or poison.

Hazardous goods shall be divided into the following classes:
Class 1 - Explosives, The six hazard division of class 1 are:
Division 1.1 Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.2 Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.3 Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.4 Substance and articles which present no significant hazard
Division 1.5 Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.6 Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard

Class 2 - Gases: compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure
Class 2 is subdivided further according to the primary hazard of the gas during transport, namely:
Class 2.1 - Flammable gases
Class 2.2 - Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
Class 2.3 - Toxic gases

Class 3 - Flammable liquids
Class 3 is subdivided further, namely:
Class 3.1 - Low flashpoint group of liquids having a flashpoint below -180C (00F), closed cup test.
Class 3.2 - Intermediate flashpoint group of liquids having a flashpoint of -180C (00F) up to but not including 230C (730F), closed cup test
Class 3.3 - High flashpoint group of liquids having a flashpoint of 230C (730F) up to, and including, 610C (1410F), closed cup test

Class 4.1 - Flammable solids

Class4.2 - Substances liable to spontaneous combustion

Class 4.3 - Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Class 5.1 - Oxidizing substances

Class 5.2 - Organic peroxides

Class 6.1 - Toxic substances

Class 6.2 - Infectious substances

Class 7 - Radioactive materials

Class 8 - Corrosive

Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances, that is any other substance which experience has shown, or may show, to be of such a dangerous character that the provision of this part shall apply to it.

For hazardous goods transportation, the carrier must follow the Chinese Road Transport Regulation.

The technical requirements for equipment and vehicles.
The operation requirements for transportation, loading and discharging.
The regulations for vehicle movements.
The regulations for transportation in summer.

If you have any questions and requests further information about the above-mentioned items, please feel free to contact AMBEST.