Complete Guide to Importing from China to Europe

The Importing Process: An Overview

Importing from China to Europe is one of the most common and well-established trade routes in global commerce. Yet it continues to catch importers off guard with customs classifications, duty calculations, compliance documentation, and logistics decisions that significantly impact landed costs and delivery timelines.

Step 1: Define Your Incoterms

Incoterms define where responsibility and risk transfer between buyer and seller.

FOB (Free On Board): The supplier is responsible until goods are loaded at the Chinese port. You arrange and pay for ocean freight, insurance, and all European-side costs. FOB gives buyers more control over freight rates.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): The supplier arranges freight and insurance to the destination port. Simpler for new importers, but you lose visibility into actual freight costs.

For experienced importers, FOB is generally preferred — it allows you to negotiate freight rates directly and use a forwarder of your choice.

Step 2: Classify Your Goods Correctly

Every product imported into the EU must be assigned an HS code — an internationally standardised product classification that determines the applicable duty rate. EU member states extend this to an 8-digit CN code.

Getting the HS code right matters because duty rates vary from 0% to 12%+, misclassification results in penalties and delays, and some codes trigger anti-dumping duties exceeding 50%. Use the EU's TARIC database to look up applicable rates before placing your order.

Step 3: Understand Import Duties and VAT

Customs duty: Calculated as a percentage of the CIF value. An 8% duty on €10,000 of goods = €800.
Import VAT: Applied to customs value plus duty. In Germany (19% VAT): (€10,000 + €800) × 19% = €2,052. Recoverable by VAT-registered businesses as input tax.

Note that certain goods face additional measures: anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or safeguard measures on specific categories from China. Check TARIC before committing to a sourcing decision.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documentation

Commercial Invoice: Accurate product descriptions, quantities, unit prices, total value, country of origin, and Incoterms.
Packing List: Detailed breakdown by carton — dimensions, weights, quantities.
Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill): Transport document issued by the carrier.
Certificate of Origin: Required for preferential duty treatment where applicable.
Compliance documentation: CE Declaration of Conformity, test reports, and other product-specific certifications.

Step 5: Choose Your Shipping Method

FCL ocean freight: Most cost-efficient for large volumes. Transit: 25–35 days. 20ft container ≈ 25 CBM; 40ft ≈ 55 CBM.
LCL ocean freight: Shared container for smaller shipments. Cost-effective for 1–10 CBM.
Rail freight: Transit 15–20 days. Cost between air and ocean. Routes connect Chengdu, Xi'an, and Yiwu with Warsaw, Hamburg, and Łódź.
Air freight: Transit 3–7 days. Cost 4–6× ocean per kg. For urgent, high-value, or perishable shipments.

Step 6: Work with a Licensed Customs Broker

Unless your team has in-house customs expertise, engage a licensed customs broker in the country of import. They will file the Single Administrative Document (SAD), ensure correct duty classification, and manage any customs examination or holds.

At Global TradeHub Ltd, we coordinate the full import process for clients bringing goods from China to EU and CIS markets — from supplier coordination through to delivered-duty-unpaid handover at destination.

Step 7: CE Marking and Product Compliance

Products sold in the EU must comply with applicable EU directives and bear the CE mark where required. Chinese suppliers often claim CE compliance — but you, as the EU importer of record, bear legal responsibility if goods are non-compliant. Always request and verify the Declaration of Conformity and supporting test reports from accredited laboratories.