Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions buyers ask before shipping from China: pickup and consolidation, DDP and who clears customs, transit ranges by mode, documents and certification, cargo restrictions, and what a quotation actually covers.

Answers on quotation, pickup, consolidation, DDP, documents, tracking and cargo restrictions.

Pickup

Pickup questions.

Can you pick up cargo anywhere in China?

Yes. We coordinate pickup anywhere in China, including inland cities. Major cities and ports are routine operating areas, and remote locations, special vehicles and special cargo are confirmed case by case.

We can coordinate pickup across China. Major cities and ports are routine areas; remote locations, special vehicles and special cargo are confirmed separately.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How quickly can pickup be arranged?

Pickup can normally be arranged within one hour of the required supplier, cargo and address details being confirmed. The one-hour commitment starts from confirmed details, not from the first enquiry.

The interval is measured from confirmed details rather than from the initial enquiry, and the vehicle still has to travel to the pickup city.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

DDP

DDP questions.

Is DDP the same as double-clearance, duty-paid door delivery?

Yes. At Honour Ocean, DDP means double clearance and duty-paid delivery to the agreed address, on the terms stated in the confirmed quotation.

DDP covers export clearance in China, international transport, destination import clearance, duty and tax for the declared goods, and delivery to the agreed address. Customs revaluation, inspection, remote delivery and special cargo exceptions are confirmed per shipment rather than assumed to be inside the price.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Who handles customs and duties under DDP?

Under a confirmed DDP scope, Honour Ocean handles destination import clearance and settles duty and tax for the declared goods. Customs revaluation, inspection, remote delivery and special cargo exceptions are confirmed per shipment.

The quotation states the import arrangement, the dutiable value basis and the delivery area. If customs does not accept the declared value, the difference and any inspection cost are confirmed with you rather than absorbed silently into the original price.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Is DDP available for every country and every product?

No. DDP is available where a compliant import arrangement can be built for that country and that commodity, which is confirmed per shipment. Where it cannot, an alternative such as DDU is quoted instead.

Some destinations do not allow an overseas seller to complete import and tax formalities, and some commodities need registration or certification before they can be imported at all. We confirm the importer-of-record position and the duty treatment for each shipment instead of promising universal DDP coverage.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can you deliver DDP to the UAE if I have no UAE import licence?

Not always, and the position is confirmed before booking. DDP delivery into the UAE needs a compliant import arrangement: either the consignee holds a UAE import code and trade licence, or an alternative arrangement is confirmed for that shipment. Where neither is possible we quote DDU and you clear the goods yourself.

A UAE import declaration has to be made by a party registered with UAE customs. Free-zone companies can import into their free zone, but moving the same goods into mainland UAE is a separate customs movement with its own declaration and duty treatment, which is why mainland and free-zone deliveries are quoted separately.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Who is the importer of record for a UK DDP shipment?

The importer of record has to be a party entitled to act as importer for that consignment, and the position is agreed before booking. Where a compliant arrangement can be confirmed we quote DDP; where it cannot, we quote DDU and you clear the goods with your own EORI.

UK customs holds the importer of record responsible for the declaration, the duty and the VAT. That is why the quotation states which party imports, and why an arrangement that cannot be supported is not sold as DDP.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Quotation

Quotation questions.

When is the final freight charge confirmed?

The final charge is confirmed after the cargo reaches the warehouse and is weighed and measured. If the actual data matches the inquiry the quoted price stands; if it differs, the charge is recalculated for your approval before payment and dispatch.

Cargo is measured and checked after warehouse arrival. If pieces, weight, volume, packing, commodity or delivery address differ from the original inquiry, the charge is recalculated and sent to you for confirmation before payment and dispatch.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can experienced importers request a specific channel?

Yes. If you already know the mode, route and delivery terms you want, you can specify them and we will quote and execute exactly that service.

We review the cargo and the route against what you have asked for, and flag anything that needs adjusting before you commit rather than substituting a different service silently.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How long is a quotation valid?

Each quotation states its own validity period, because freight rates and space move with the market. Once it expires, or if the rate or space changes before booking, the price is reconfirmed before dispatch.

Ocean rates generally hold for a shorter period than air or courier rates, and peak season or a general rate increase can shorten that window further. Cargo that has already been received and measured is recalculated against the actual data, and you approve the final charge before payment and dispatch.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

When do I pay, and when does the cargo leave?

The standard sequence is: cargo arrives and is measured, the final charge is confirmed with you, you approve and pay, and then the shipment is dispatched.

Cargo is received and measured first, so the charge you approve is based on actual data rather than a declaration. Credit terms, monthly settlement or staged payment can be discussed for established and project customers, and every payment is recorded against a company order.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Consolidation

Consolidation questions.

Can you combine goods from multiple suppliers?

Yes. We receive goods from several suppliers, register each delivery separately, check piece counts and outer packing, and consolidate everything into one shipment that you release once the last supplier has delivered.

Consolidation means one export declaration, one main transport movement and one delivered scope instead of several separate shipments. The shipment is held until you confirm that all suppliers have delivered.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Tracking

Tracking questions.

Can I track the shipment?

Yes. Warehouse data and shipment progress can be queried through our system, and your service representative provides updates and handles exceptions.

Tracking visibility can cover warehouse receipt, booking, dispatch, international transit, customs clearance, delivery and receipt. Standard warehouse records include arrival photographs, while dedicated inspection reports and specified-angle filming are value-added services.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Cargo Restrictions

Cargo Restrictions questions.

Do you ship batteries, liquids or powders?

Batteries, liquids and powders can sometimes be shipped, but only after review of the product information, documents, packaging and carrier rules for the route you need.

Battery goods are reviewed for battery type, capacity, UN classification, test documentation and packaging. Liquids and powders are reviewed for composition, packing and destination restrictions. Nothing is confirmed before that review, because carriage rules differ by mode, carrier and destination.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What happens if my cargo cannot be shipped?

We tell you before you commit. Cargo is reviewed in three states: normally accepted, accepted only after review, and not accepted.

If a commodity cannot be shipped lawfully or safely on the route you need, we say so before the booking rather than discovering the problem at the port. Special cargo is reviewed against product information, documents, packaging and carrier rules first, and a refusal is stated as a refusal rather than a delay.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Transit Time

Transit Time questions.

How long does shipping from China take?

Typical door-to-door transit from China is 25–35 days by ocean FCL and 25–38 days by LCL to the UAE, 25–35 days by FCL to Saudi Arabia, 35–45 days by FCL to the United Kingdom, and 25–35 days by FCL to the US West Coast or 35–50 days to the East Coast; air freight typically takes 4–12 days door to door and express courier 3–6 working days. These are typical ranges, not a commitment; the confirmed range is issued with your quotation.

The ranges above are measured door to door and cover five stages: pickup and warehouse intake, consolidation and waiting, international transport, import clearance and duty handling, and final delivery. Ocean transit between the ports themselves is only one part of the total, which is why a port-to-port figure cannot be read as a door-to-door timeline. Sailing schedules, carrier space, port congestion and customs conditions can all extend the outcome, so the quotation states a range with its calculation start and end points rather than a guaranteed arrival date.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Cost

Cost questions.

Why is one quote much cheaper than another?

The most common reason is that the two quotes do not cover the same thing. Check whether pickup, export, freight, destination charges, duty, tax and delivery are each included before comparing the totals.

A port-to-port rate excludes import clearance, duty, destination terminal charges and onward transport, while a delivered price includes them. Chargeable weight or volume may also be calculated differently between quotes, so a lower headline figure often means a smaller scope rather than a cheaper service.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Delays & Claims

Delays & Claims questions.

What happens if the cargo is damaged, delayed or goes missing?

We notify you as soon as an issue is confirmed, state the impact, give you the options, and keep updating until it is resolved. Responsibility and compensation are then determined by the cause, the contract terms and the insurance position.

We do not promise unconditional compensation for every loss. Claims depend on where responsibility sat at the time, what the contract says and whether insurance was in place, so we recommend confirming the insurance position for each shipment before dispatch.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can you guarantee a fixed transit time?

No. We do not guarantee a fixed arrival date. Transit is issued as an estimated range with its calculation basis, and carrier schedules, port and customs conditions and delivery arrangements can all extend it.

We state the calculation basis and the factors that can extend transit, and where a route is exposed to a known risk we plan a primary and an alternative option instead of promising a date.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Duty & Tax

Duty & Tax questions.

How much duty and VAT will I pay on imports into the UAE?

Most goods attract 5% UAE customs duty on the CIF value plus 5% VAT, both calculated on the value accepted by UAE customs. Goods entering a free zone for re-export are generally outside that treatment, while a mainland delivery is not.

Duty differs for some product categories, and customs can revalue a shipment when the declared value is not accepted. The quotation states the duty and VAT basis for your declared goods, and any difference arising from revaluation or inspection is confirmed with you before it is settled.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What duty and VAT applies to imports into Saudi Arabia?

Saudi customs duty is set by HS code and commonly falls between 5% and 20%, with VAT at 15%. Both are calculated on the value accepted by Saudi customs, so the declared value on the commercial invoice has to be defensible.

Under a confirmed DDP scope the duty and VAT for the declared goods are included in the price. If customs revalues the consignment or selects it for inspection, the difference is confirmed with you before it is settled instead of being absorbed into the original figure.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How is UK duty calculated on goods imported from China?

Duty is calculated on the customs value - normally the goods value plus international freight and insurance - at the rate set by the commodity code, and import VAT at 20% is then charged on that value plus the duty.

Using the wrong commodity code changes both the duty rate and the compliance position, so codes are confirmed against the actual product before dispatch. Anti-dumping duty applies to some product categories, and where it does it is confirmed per commodity before you commit.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Delivery

Delivery questions.

Which emirates and address types can you deliver to in the UAE?

We deliver to all seven emirates - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain - including commercial premises, warehouses, free zones and residential addresses, with the address type confirmed before dispatch.

Free-zone and mainland addresses follow different customs rules, so the delivery scope states which one is quoted. Remote areas and addresses that need special equipment, an appointment or unloading labour are confirmed before booking rather than assumed to be inside the delivered price.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can you deliver to Amazon FBA warehouses and residential addresses?

Yes. We deliver to Amazon FBA and AWD warehouses, third-party fulfilment centres, commercial premises and residential addresses across all 50 states, provided the delivery appointment and labelling requirements are met.

Marketplace deliveries need the shipment plan, labels and appointment in place before the truck arrives. Storage, waiting time or rescheduling charges raised by the facility fall outside the standard quoted scope, and residential or remote addresses are confirmed before dispatch.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Compliance

Compliance questions.

What is the Saber Shipment Certificate and does my cargo need one?

Yes. Since 1 October 2025 every consignment imported into Saudi Arabia needs a Saber Shipment Certificate obtained before the customs declaration, whether or not the product is regulated. Without that certificate the shipment cannot be cleared.

The certificate is issued through the Saber platform and is separate from product certification. Regulated products additionally need a Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) and a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC) before they can be imported, and the requirement is decided by the HS code and the applicable technical regulation.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Which products need SASO or Saber product certification?

Regulated product categories need SASO certification through the Saber platform before they can be imported into Saudi Arabia, and the requirement is decided by the product HS code and technical regulation rather than by the shipment size or value.

We review the commodity against the applicable technical regulation before quoting, so certification is raised before production ships instead of being discovered at the port. Where a product cannot be certified for the route, we say so before you commit rather than after the cargo has left China.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Do I need an EORI and a UK VAT number to import?

Yes. A UK EORI number is required to clear goods into the United Kingdom, and import VAT is charged at 20% on the value plus duty. A VAT-registered importer can normally reclaim that import VAT on its VAT return, so the net cost is usually lower than the gross figure quoted.

Where the consignee has no EORI, the import arrangement is confirmed before booking rather than assuming another party can be used. Northern Ireland follows different rules from Great Britain after Brexit, so Northern Ireland deliveries are quoted separately.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Is the $800 de minimis exemption still available for US imports?

No. Duty-free de minimis treatment for imports under $800 has been suspended for all countries since 29 August 2025, so commercial shipments now require a customs entry and payment of applicable duty regardless of value.

A US shipment can therefore no longer be treated as a small parcel exempt from duty. Every entry needs an importer of record and a customs bond, and duty together with MPF and HMF is assessed on that entry.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Do I need a US importer of record and a customs bond?

Yes. Clearing goods into the United States requires an importer of record and a customs bond covering the entry, and the position is confirmed before booking. Where a compliant arrangement exists we quote DDP; where it does not, we quote DDU.

A customs bond is a financial guarantee to CBP rather than an insurance policy, and it can be continuous or single-entry. The quotation states which party imports and what the DDP price includes, so the responsibility is visible before the cargo ships.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Destination compliance

Destination compliance questions.

Can you deliver to Nigeria DDP when we do not have a Nigerian company?

Not with the seller as importer of record. Nigeria requires the importer of record to be a Nigerian entity with a TIN, and Form M must be opened at an authorised dealer bank before shipment for any value above USD 1,000, with a validity of 180 days. Where the buyer is not a Nigerian company, we confirm the compliant structure — normally the buyer’s Nigerian consignee or a licensed arrangement — before any duty-paid scope is quoted.

Nigeria requires a Nigerian importer of record and a Form M opened before shipment above USD 1,000, so we confirm the compliant structure before quoting DDP.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What certification does my product need before it can clear in Nigeria?

SONCAP is mandatory for products covered by Standards Organisation of Nigeria regulations: the exporter obtains a Product Certificate and then a Shipment Certificate from an accredited conformity assessment body before shipment. Food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices additionally need NAFDAC registration, where published processing times run to 90 working days for food and longer for drugs. Both are product-specific, so we confirm the applicable scheme from the product details.

SONCAP applies to regulated products before shipment, and NAFDAC registration applies to food, drugs and cosmetics — both confirmed from the product details.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Is there a direct sea service from China to Georgia?

No direct South China call into Poti or Batumi is published. Poti handles about 80% of Georgia’s container traffic and a dozen carriers call there, but a China-origin sea movement is normally a transhipment through Piraeus, Istanbul or Constanta, with the routing and transit confirmed at booking. For most commercial cargo the Middle Corridor rail option is faster and easier to schedule.

Direct South China calls into Poti or Batumi are not published; sea freight runs as a transhipment, while the Middle Corridor rail option is normally faster.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What duty and VAT apply when importing into Georgia?

Georgia applies three import duty bands — 0%, 5% and 12% — and nearly 90% of tariff lines sit at zero, so most goods enter duty free. VAT on imports is 18%. Personal consignments within the published thresholds of GEL 500 and 30 kg per 30 days enter free of duty, VAT and excise, but commercial shipments cannot use that allowance.

Most goods enter Georgia at a 0% duty rate, with 5% and 12% bands on the rest, plus 18% VAT on imports.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Does the Panama Canal drought affect my shipment?

Indirectly, yes. The canal authority reported Neopanamax booking slots at 98.31% utilisation in August 2026, with daily Neopanamax slots cut to nine and Panamax to 23 under drought measures, and the maximum authorised draft held at 14.63 m after a planned reduction was postponed. Vessels without a reservation may face delays, and Panama-bound cargo competes for the same slots as Asia–US East Coast transit cargo, so space and routing are confirmed at booking rather than assumed.

Canal slots are tight after 2026 drought measures — 98.31% of Neopanamax booking slots were used in August 2026 — so space and routing are confirmed at booking.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What changes if my cargo goes to the Colón Free Zone?

Free-zone cargo is not a normal import. Since 1 April 2026 the Panamanian customs authority requires an export or re-export declaration when goods leave a free zone or a customs warehouse, with traceability of the movement. The documentation and delivery scope are therefore quoted separately from a mainland delivery, and the declared-value treatment differs.

Colón Free Zone movements need an export or re-export declaration since 1 April 2026 and are quoted separately from a mainland delivery.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does cargo reach landlocked Uzbekistan?

By block train or by road. Rail leaves the main China hubs — Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Yiwu — and exits at Khorgos/Altynkol or Dostyk/Alashankou, where the gauge changes from 1,435 mm to the 1,520 mm network used across Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; a published Xi’an–Tashkent timing is 5–6 days station to station. Road runs over Khorgos or Irkeshtam, with an FTL Guangzhou–Tashkent transit published at 12–14 days. Air into Tashkent is the urgent option.

Uzbekistan is landlocked: the lane runs by block train or road over the Khorgos and Irkeshtam crossings, with published Xi’an–Tashkent rail at 5–6 days station to station.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Who can act as importer of record in Uzbekistan?

Only an Uzbekistan-registered legal entity or a resident registered individual entrepreneur may conduct foreign economic activity, so a foreign seller cannot be the importer of record. Regulated products also need a certificate of conformity from an accredited body under the Agency for Technical Regulation, and phytosanitary certificates apply to plants and wood packaging. We confirm that structure before quoting any duty-paid scope.

A foreign seller cannot be importer of record: Uzbekistan requires a registered local entity, so the import structure is confirmed before a duty-paid scope is quoted.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can a foreign seller be the importer of record in Japan?

Yes, through an ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures). In principle the import declaration must be made by the person importing the goods, and in practice a customs broker files as proxy. Appointing an ACP lets a seller without a Japanese entity act as importer of record and handle duty and consumption tax. We confirm the arrangement before quoting any duty-paid scope.

A foreign seller can be importer of record in Japan by appointing an ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures); otherwise a broker files as proxy for the importer.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What are the duty and consumption tax thresholds for Japan?

A consignment whose total customs value is ¥10,000 or less is exempt from both customs duty and consumption tax, and split shipments from one sender to one recipient are aggregated for that test. Above the threshold, consumption tax is 10% standard or 8% reduced, and duty follows the MFN, GSP or EPA rate for the tariff line. Leather bags, knitted apparel, ski boots and leather-soled footwear are excluded from the exemption.

Japan exempts consignments of ¥10,000 or less from duty and consumption tax; above that consumption tax is 10% (8% reduced) plus the applicable MFN, GSP or EPA duty rate.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What biosecurity requirements apply to shipments into Australia?

Solid-wood packaging must be ISPM 15 treated — heat treated or methyl-bromide fumigated — and stamped with the IPPC mark; non-compliant wood is a standard rejection and delay cause. Seasonal stink bug measures apply to targeted goods and containers in the risk season, Khapra beetle measures apply to high-risk plant products and containers, imported food is inspected under the food inspection scheme, and plant products are assessed against the biosecurity import conditions. Allow roughly seven extra days when a tailgate inspection is ordered.

Solid-wood packaging must be ISPM 15 treated and stamped, seasonal stink bug and Khapra beetle measures apply to targeted cargo, and a tailgate inspection adds about seven days.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Who clears customs when the buyer is not an Australian company?

The import declaration is made by the importer — the owner of the goods — or by a licensed customs broker acting as their agent, and the Border Force does not complete the declaration on an importer’s behalf. Where the buyer is not an Australian entity, we confirm the compliant import arrangement before quoting a duty-paid scope, and we confirm whether the goods need an import declaration or fall under the AUD 1,000 low-value treatment.

The importer or a licensed customs broker acting as agent files the declaration; where the buyer is not an Australian entity we confirm the compliant arrangement before quoting duty-paid.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Who can be the importer of record in Brazil?

A Brazilian company holding a CNPJ with Siscomex and RADAR registration — the import declaration is filed in that entity’s name, so a foreign seller cannot import directly. Where the buyer is not a Brazilian entity we confirm the compliant structure before quoting a duty-paid scope. Certification belongs to the same review: INMETRO approvals take 60–120 days and ANATEL around 30–90 days, normally with a local representative, and cargo without valid certificates is held or returned.

Brazil requires a local CNPJ holder with Siscomex and RADAR registration as importer of record; a foreign seller cannot import directly, and INMETRO or ANATEL certification is confirmed first.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How is a Brazilian import taxed?

The stack is layered rather than a single rate: import duty of 0–35% by NCM on the CIF value, IPI charged on CIF plus duty, PIS and COFINS, ICMS charged by the destination state at rates from 4% to 20%, and AFRMM at 8% of the ocean freight. Because ICMS is charged “por dentro” — on top of the other taxes — the effective burden is higher than the headline percentage, which is why we quote a landed-cost breakdown rather than one number.

Brazil layers import duty (0–35% by NCM), IPI, PIS/COFINS, state ICMS from 4% to 20% and 8% AFRMM on ocean freight, so the effective rate is higher than any single headline figure.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Does Form E remove the duty on Chinese goods entering Vietnam?

For goods that meet the ACFTA origin rules and travel under a valid Form E certificate of origin, yes: normal-track lines fall to 0% against MFN rates that reach 40%. The origin rules are wholly obtained goods, a regional value content of at least 40%, or a change in tariff classification. A missing or rejected Form E falls back to the MFN rate, so the certificate is confirmed before shipment rather than at arrival.

A valid ACFTA Form E takes normal-track lines to 0% duty against MFN rates up to 40%, provided the goods meet the origin rules; without it the MFN rate applies.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Is there still a de minimis exemption for parcels into Vietnam?

No. Decision 01/2025 repealed the previous exemption on 18 February 2025, so express imports below VND 1,000,000 are now declared and taxed for both duty and VAT. Low-value consignments need the same commercial documentation as larger shipments, and since 31 December 2025 imported ICT and telecom products need type approval and QCVN conformity regardless of quantity.

Vietnam repealed the de minimis exemption on 18 February 2025: parcels below VND 1,000,000 are now declared and taxed for duty and VAT.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can a foreign seller be the importer of record in India?

No. A foreign seller without an Indian entity cannot hold an Import Export Code, cannot hold the regulated product approvals and cannot be named as the importer on the Bill of Entry. The importer of record must be an Indian entity — or an appointed third-party importer — registered on ICEGATE with an IEC and a PAN-linked GSTIN. Where the buyer has no Indian entity, we confirm that structure before quoting any duty-paid scope.

India requires an Indian entity as importer of record: a foreign seller cannot hold an IEC or be named on the Bill of Entry, so the structure is confirmed before quoting duty-paid.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What approvals does my product need before it can clear in India?

It depends on the category: BIS ISI marking and CRS registration for goods on the compulsory certification list, WPC equipment type approval for anything with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other radio, an FSSAI import licence for food with the 60% shelf-life rule, CDSCO registration with an Indian Authorized Agent for medical devices, and Legal Metrology labelling showing MRP and net quantity. Compliance lead time is typically 8–12 weeks, so approvals are started before the cargo ships rather than at arrival.

Approvals depend on the product — BIS/CRS, WPC for wireless, FSSAI for food, CDSCO for medical devices and Legal Metrology labelling — and typically take 8–12 weeks.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can you deliver to South Africa DDP when we do not have a South African company?

Not with the seller as importer of record. The import declaration is filed by a South African-registered importer holding a SARS customs client number, so where the buyer does not have a local entity we confirm the compliant structure — normally the buyer’s South African consignee or its appointed clearing agent — before any duty-paid scope is quoted.

A South African-registered importer with a customs client number files the declaration, so the structure is confirmed before quoting DDP.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What certification does my product need before it can clear in South Africa?

Goods covered by South Africa’s compulsory specifications need a Letter of Authority from the NRCS before they can be cleared — electrotechnical, automotive and several chemical and food product groups are the usual cases, and the requirement applies per specification, not per country of origin. Listed goods additionally need an ITAC import permit (form IE461). Both are product-specific, so we confirm the applicable scheme from the HS line before shipping.

NRCS Letters of Authority apply to goods under compulsory specifications, and ITAC permits to listed goods — both confirmed from the product details.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does Karachi port congestion affect shipping from China to Pakistan?

Karachi is the binding constraint on this lane. The KICT backlog crossed 38,000 containers in February 2026 and Pakistan Customs publicly warned the terminal, while the Karachi Chamber of Commerce warned that prolonged congestion was choking trade. We plan buffer days for clearance, confirm free time and demurrage terms before the cargo sails, and route via Port Qasim where it protects the schedule.

Karachi congestion is the lane’s main delay risk — buffer days and demurrage terms are confirmed before sailing.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What is the duty-free limit for parcels imported into Pakistan?

The Finance Act 2025 cut the exemption to consignments imported by post or courier valued up to PKR 1,000, down from the previous PKR 5,000 which applied regardless of mode. Commercial cargo is always assessed: duty is charged by HS line under the Pakistan Customs Tariff, with China–Pakistan FTA preference where the tariff line and the certificate of origin qualify.

Only postal or courier parcels up to PKR 1,000 are exempt since the Finance Act 2025; commercial cargo is assessed by HS line.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How long does the direct China to Chattogram service take?

PIL’s China Chittagong Express runs direct and weekly from Ningbo, Shanghai and Shekou, and its service sheet puts Chattogram on day 9 of the rotation and Ningbo on day 12 — so the working range is 9–12 days port to port. The first direct sailing in September 2024 made Ningbo to Chattogram in 9 days, against the 20–25 days the transhipment routings took. The rotation in force is confirmed at booking.

The direct weekly service runs 9–12 days port to port; the rotation in force is confirmed at booking.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What paperwork does a Bangladeshi importer need before shipping?

The importer needs an IRC from CCI&E and a BIN VAT registration before a commercial letter of credit can be opened with an authorised dealer bank — non-L/C paths exist via a sales contract plus an import or clearance permit from CCI&E. VAT is 15% at import, only non-commercial consignments up to BDT 2,000 are duty free, and duty stacks by HS line into the total TTI. We confirm the whole structure before quoting a duty-paid price.

An IRC and a BIN precede the letter of credit; VAT is 15% at import and only non-commercial parcels up to BDT 2,000 are exempt.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What is the ACID number and when does my Egypt shipment need it?

The ACID is Egypt’s advance cargo registration: the importer files the shipment on NAFEZA, the exporter verifies on CargoX, and the issued ACID must be quoted before departure — mandatory for sea since October 2021 and for air since 1 January 2026. Documents are due 48 hours before vessel arrival, air express under 50 kg and USD 2,000 is exempt, and from 1 April 2026 DHL requires the 19-digit ACID at booking or the parcel is refused or fined.

The ACID must be issued through NAFEZA/CargoX before departure — for air since 1 January 2026 — and DHL requires it at booking from 1 April 2026.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Can a foreign company act as importer of record in Egypt?

Not directly. The importer must be on GOEIC’s Importers Register, whose general rule is 51% Egyptian ownership; Decree 271/2026 added a time-limited route (up to ten years, renewable once) for foreign-owned companies, but it still requires an Egyptian legal entity. Foreign manufacturers of listed product groups — household appliances, textiles, lighting, toys and more — must also register with GOEIC before their goods can clear.

The importer of record must be on GOEIC’s register — generally 51% Egyptian-owned — and listed foreign manufacturers must register separately.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Does Thailand still have a duty-free threshold for small parcels?

No. Thai Customs abolished the 1,500-baht exemption from 1 January 2026, so cross-border purchases are taxed from the first baht. The published e-commerce brackets run up to 30% duty for fashion and footwear, 20% for bags and accessories and 10% for electrical goods, plus 7% VAT on CIF plus duty — commercial cargo is assessed by HS line as before.

The 1,500-baht exemption ended on 1 January 2026; every import is taxed from the first baht.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does ACFTA reduce duty on goods from China?

With an original Form E certificate of origin, normal-track goods under the ASEAN–China FTA can enter Thailand at 0% duty; a missing, defective or non-original Form E falls back to the full MFN rate for that line. Because anti-dumping duties on listed Chinese goods (2.76–69.35%) are levied before VAT regardless of FTA preference, we check the tariff line and the origin paperwork before quoting a duty-paid price.

An original ACFTA Form E can bring normal-track goods to 0%; anti-dumping duty still applies to listed goods.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What documents does a Kenya import need beyond the bill of lading?

Kenya imports declare on KRA’s SIMBA portal through a licensed clearing agent, with the import declaration fee (2.5% of customs value), the commercial and pro-forma invoices, and the KEBS Certificate of Conformity issued by CCIC in China under the PVoC programme. Duty follows the EAC common external tariff — 0% on raw materials and capital goods, 10% on intermediates, 25% on finished goods and 35% on sensitive lines such as textiles and steel — plus 16% VAT on CIF and duty and a 2% railway development levy.

SIMBA declaration via a licensed clearing agent, IDF 2.5%, RDL 2%, duty by EAC tariff line, 16% VAT, and a KEBS CoC from PVoC inspection.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does cargo reach Nairobi from the port?

Mombasa is the container gateway, and the standard-gauge railway links it to the Nairobi (Embakasi) and Naivasha inland container depots — the 2026 KRA and KPA port reforms push more boxes onto that rail to cut dwell. Cargo dwelling over 21 days at the port now moves to container freight stations, pre-arrival processing has expanded and a dedicated empty-container site is in place, so inland timing is planned with the booking.

SGR rail moves boxes from Mombasa to the Nairobi and Naivasha ICDs; dwell over 21 days shifts to CFS yards.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What is Peru’s duty-free threshold for parcels?

Courier and postal parcels up to USD 200 FOB enter Peru free of ad-valorem duty and IGV under SUNAT’s Importa Fácil regime; parcels between USD 200 and 2,000 pay 4% ad-valorem plus 18% IGV on the simplified declaration. SUNAT has said it is reviewing the sub-USD 200 exemption, but no change is in force, and commercial cargo always clears on a full declaration with an active RUC and, above USD 2,000 FOB, a licensed broker.

Parcels up to USD 200 FOB are free of duty and IGV; USD 200–2,000 pays 4% plus 18% IGV.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Do I need a broker to import into Peru?

Above USD 2,000 FOB a licensed customs broker is mandatory; below that a simplified declaration can be filed, and natural persons importing up to USD 1,000 FOB (at most three times a year) can clear without an RUC. The consignee of commercial cargo needs an active RUC registration — SUNAT blocks importers listed as no habido — and pre-arrival filing under despacho anticipado is the standard path, clearing 2–3 days after discharge.

A licensed broker is mandatory above USD 2,000 FOB; the consignee needs an active RUC and pre-arrival filing clears in 2–3 days.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does ACFTA reduce duty on goods from China?

With an original Form E certificate of origin, normal-track Chinese-origin goods can enter Indonesia at 0% duty instead of the MFN line rate, which runs up to 150% on some goods. A missing, defective or non-original Form E falls back to the full MFN rate, and anti-dumping duty applies regardless of FTA preference — ceramic tiles from China carry IDR 13,446–94,544 per square metre under PMK 70/2024, in force for five years from October 2024, with textiles and footwear still under investigation.

An original Form E can bring normal-track goods to 0%; anti-dumping duty on ceramics applies regardless of FTA preference.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What licences does an Indonesian import need in 2026?

The old Permendag 36/2023 regime was revoked on 30 June 2025 and replaced by the Permendag 16/2025 cluster rules: the importer needs an NIB business identity from OSS, an API-U or API-P licence and, for regulated commodities, a Persetujuan Impor (import approval). A foreign seller cannot act as importer of record — an Indonesian-registered entity clears the cargo — and listed goods additionally need SNI certification, BPOM registration for food and cosmetics, or DJID type approval for telecom products.

NIB plus API-U/API-P under Permendag 16/2025, with import approvals per commodity — an Indonesian-registered importer is required.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What is Malaysia’s RM500 duty-free limit?

Air-courier and postal consignments up to RM500 CIF per consignment are exempt from import duty and import sales tax with immediate clearance, under the Customs Duties Exemption Order 2017 — but the limit does not extend to sea freight or normal commercial imports. Goods sold online at RM500 or less per unit carry the 10% low-value goods sales tax on the sale value from the first ringgit, and a foreign seller above RM500,000 of LVG sales in 12 months must register as a Registered Seller.

RM500 CIF per courier or postal consignment is free of duty and sales tax; online low-value goods pay the 10% LVG tax from the first ringgit.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

What taxes apply to commercial imports into Malaysia?

Import duty runs by HS line under the Customs Duties Order 2022, and an original ACFTA Form E can bring normal-track Chinese goods to 0%. Since 1 July 2025 sales tax at import is 10% standard or 5% on First Schedule goods, service tax is 8% standard, and the low-value goods regime adds its own 10% tax for online sales — so the quotation states duty, sales tax and service tax separately for the exact tariff line.

Duty by HS line (0% with Form E under ACFTA), sales tax 10% or 5% at import, service tax 8% — the quotation states each for the line.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

Do parcels from China to Chile still have a duty-free threshold?

No. Chile eliminated the USD 41 franchise on 25 October 2025 under Ley 21.713: purchases up to USD 500 from registered platforms pay 19% IVA at checkout and clear through a simplified channel with no customs duty, while purchases from unregistered platforms pay IVA and duty at the border. Commercial cargo always clears on a full entry with a RUT-registered importer — 6% general duty or 0% with a Form F, plus 19% IVA on CIF and duty.

The USD 41 franchise ended in October 2025; platform purchases up to USD 500 now pay 19% IVA at checkout.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

How does the China–Chile FTA reduce duty?

With an original Form F certificate of origin, Chilean ad-valorem duty drops from the 6% general rate to 0% under the 2006 FTA as upgraded, and 19% IVA still applies on CIF plus duty. The Form F is issued before departure and checked line by line — a missing or defective certificate falls back to the 6% rate, so the paperwork is verified before the cargo sails.

An original Form F brings duty to 0% from the 6% general rate; IVA of 19% still applies.

Last reviewed 2026-09-15

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