Local representation
There are many agents and consultants willing to act on behalf of United Kingdom companies wishing to do business in China. These range from large overseas trading firms with branch offices in China, to small specialist agencies based in the region. Details of consultants, some of whom provide assistance in finding agents and distributors, can be downloaded from the China Contacts and Setting Up page of this website.
An agent or consultant can prove invaluable to a company without the resources to establish a representative office in China, or to those needing additional business intelligence on business practices in the region. The main role of a representative office is to promote products and make contact with end users; to liaise with Chinese commercial and government organisations in matters relating to the company; and to follow up market opportunities.
Labelling and packaging regulations
Information is currently being compiled. Please contact the China Unit: tel. 020 7215 8446.
Import controls
New legislation covering imports and exports regularly enters the statute books. Exporters are advised to consult their shipping agents for up-to-date information.
Further information to follow shortly.
Export Controls
The UK Government maintains export controls to prevent the export of goods, including technology, for a variety of reasons including:
the collective security of the UK and its allies in NATO
national security and foreign policy requirements
international legal obligations and commitments
non-proliferation policy
concerns about terrorism
internal repression
other human rights violations
If goods or technologies are subject to UK export controls, a licence is required to gain the legal authority to export them. The Department of Trade and Industry is the licensing authority.
The DTI's Export Control Organisation's Helpline is the first point of contact for information on export controls. The Helpline provides advice on many issues, including how to establish whether or not specific goods need an export licence, the different types of export licences, how to complete export licence application forms and how long they take to process. The Helpline is also the point of contact for Export Control Organisation publications and licence application forms.
The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) can provide information concerning the export of defence related equipment.
For information concerning export controls on antiques and works of art, please visit the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.
Customs duties
To obtain details of the tariff for any item being exported to China, you will first need to know the six-digit Harmonised Code (HS Code) for the item you are exporting. If you do not have this code, call the HMCE Customs Classification Helpline on 01702 366 077 to obtain one. The Customs Classification Helpline is open from 9 to 5 Monday to Thursday and 9 to 4:30 on Fridays.
The European Commission's Market Access Database gives tariff information for many non-EU countries including China. The Applied Tariff Database section allows users to get a tariff rate by selecting a country and then searching the database by HS code or product. The Market Access Database also has a section titled "Exporter's Guide to Import Formalities". This database (searchable by HS Code or by product) gives an overview of import procedures to a country, as well as any general or specific requirements for a product.
For general information on any matter relating to exporting and importing to and from the UK, contact HM Revenue and Customs.
Additional taxes
VAT is 17%
Additional information
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Virtually all busineses in China - whether domestic or foreign - are at risk of some form of IPR abuse such as piracy, counterfeiting or industrial espionage, and the risk of IPR abuse is commonly cited by UK companies as one of the deterrents to doing business in China. The Chinese government recognises the problem at the highest level and is committed to improving the situation through awareness-raising programmes and crackdowns, but enforcement remains a problem.
It is therefore advisable to explore the potential risk to your company's products before entering the market. The China-Britain Business Council has produced some IPR Guidelines which provide guidance on the current IPR situation, what companies can do to minimise the risk to their products and what steps to take if it happens to you. The IPR Guidelines can be downloaded from the Related Content section of this page. The British Embassy in Beijing has also produced a Guide to IPR in China which provides an overview of how to protect your IPR under Chinese law and how UK Trade & Investment can help.
Standards and Technical Regulations
Technical Help for Exporters (THE) is a service provided by the British Standards Institute (BSI) to provide information and advice on compliance with overseas statutory and other technical requirements.
THE produces a wide range of publications and provides a special updating service of information in some product fields. THE can supply detailed information on foreign regulations; identify, supply and assist in the interpretation of foreign standards and approval procedures; research and consult on technical requirements for a specific product; and provide translations of foreign standards, items of legislation and codes of practice.
Fees vary according to the amount of work involved.
For further information visit the British Standards Institute (BSI) website or email: The@bsi-global.com
UK Trade & Investment Contact: mushtaq.bux@uktradeinvest.gov.uk
Publication Date: 13/10/2004
