Moving to China
In China household goods cannot be cleared on the basis of a passport and visa alone. First you have to take up residence in the country, obtain a work permit and a residence document, and only then will customs accept the declaration. So we plan moves to China on two tracks: documents on your side, shipping on ours. In Wrocław we pack and load the container, and clearance and delivery are handled by a partner from the FEDEMAC network operating in China.
Documents required by Chinese customs
- Work permit issued after arrival on the basis of a work visa.
- Residence permit affixed in your passport – issuing it usually takes several weeks.
- Registration of your place of residence at the local police station.
- Original passport – at many customs offices it has to be shown in person or handed to the agent for the duration of clearance.
- A letter from your employer and an inventory in English, and for some offices also in Chinese.
The duty exemption usually covers a single shipment of used goods, declared within a set time after arrival. Shipping the container too early means it will wait at the port for your documents, and storage charges at Chinese ports rise quickly.
Ports and the container's route
| Destination city | Port | Approximate voyage from Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou | Shanghai or Ningbo | approx. 5–6 weeks |
| Beijing | Tianjin | approx. 6–7 weeks |
| Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong | Shenzhen, Guangzhou | approx. 5–6 weeks |
| Chengdu, Chongqing | a seaport, then overland or by river | longer, route planned individually |
Freight trains also run between Poland and China. For household goods they are chosen less often than ships, because not every rail terminal handles household goods clearance, but we check this option too when preparing the quote.
What Chinese customs check
Books and media
Books, discs, hard drives and USB sticks are reviewed. Larger numbers of publications with political or religious content may be withheld.
Maps and atlases
Maps showing borders inconsistently with China's official position may be confiscated. Old atlases are best left behind.
Household appliances and electronics
Large electrical appliances are subject to limits and may incur duty. A TV or fridge is usually better bought locally.
Food, seeds, plants and larger quantities of medicines should not go in the container. On the inventory we write specific categories, e.g. “Polish-language books – fiction”, instead of a general “books”.
Preparation in Wrocław
Most often we pack your home before you fly out, and your belongings wait in our storage until you receive your residence permit. Then the container sails and arrives when your documents are ready. This is usually cheaper than storage at the port in Shanghai or Tianjin. We write about documents for shipments outside the EU under customs clearance.
China – frequently asked questions
Can I ship my belongings with only a work visa?
You can ship them, but clearance requires a residence permit. It is safer to hold the shipment until it is issued or to store your belongings in Poland.
How long does a move to Shanghai take?
The voyage alone is about five to six weeks. Including time for residence documents, the whole move usually takes two to four months.
Do I need to be present at clearance?
Not always in person, but the agent usually needs your original passport for a certain time. It is worth coordinating this with any planned travel.
Can I ship a second batch of belongings later?
The duty exemption usually covers one shipment. Further ones may be treated as ordinary imports, so it is better to ship everything together.
Shipping to China timed with your documents
We will pack, store and ship once you have your residence permit. Free quote.
Free quote