- \n
- Why do imports from China generate more customs issues?<\/a>\n
- Basic documentation for importing from China<\/a>\n
- \n
- Commercial invoice<\/a><\/li>\n
- Packing list<\/a><\/li>\n
- Transport document<\/a><\/li>\n
- Incoterm of the operation<\/a><\/li>\n
- Tariff classification: one of the most common mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n
- Origin of the goods and trade measures<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul> \n
- Technical controls that may affect the import<\/a>\n
- What happens when customs blocks goods?<\/a>\n
- Conclusion<\/a>\n <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importing goods from China has become a common practice for many European companies. However, a significant proportion of border incidents occur precisely in import operations from this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many cases, the problem does not arise during international transport, but at the time of customs clearance, when errors are detected in the tariff classification<\/a>, in the declared origin of the goods, in the commercial documentation or in the technical requirements applicable to the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When these issues are detected at the border, the goods may be held by Customs, subjected to technical inspections or even prevented from entering the European Union market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding what European customs regulations actually require before starting an import operation from China is a key factor in avoiding logistics blockages and unforeseen costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do imports from China generate more customs issues?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China is one of the European Union\u2019s main trading partners. The volume of goods imported from this country is very high and covers practically every industrial and consumer sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nIn recent years, a commercial model has also intensified in which many Chinese manufacturers sell directly to European companies without commercial intermediaries<\/strong>. B2B platforms and direct sales channels allow importers to buy from the manufacturer without going through international distributors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although this model reduces commercial costs, it also means that responsibility for customs and regulatory compliance falls entirely on the European importer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many cases, the manufacturer does not know the European Union\u2019s technical or customs regulations in detail, so aspects such as the required documentation, product marking or certification requirements are not verified before shipment.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"Importing](\"https:\/\/www.omniaaduanas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/two-freight-container-with-european-union-and-chin-2026-01-06-09-20-41-utc-1024x528.webp\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the most frequent situations that generate border incidents are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Goods that require specific European certification<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Incomplete commercial documentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Errors in the product\u2019s tariff code<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Incorrect declaration of the origin of the goods<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Products subject to technical controls at the border<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When these problems are detected during clearance, Customs may initiate checks or inspections that delay or halt the import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic documentation for importing from China<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the goods arrive in the customs territory of the European Union, the importer must have a series of documents that allow customs clearance to be processed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common documents include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercial invoice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It must accurately identify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The seller and the buyer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The full description of the goods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The declared value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The terms of sale.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Packing list<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It allows verification of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Number of packages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gross and net weight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Distribution of the goods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Transport document<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the means of transport used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Maritime bill of lading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Air waybill.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Road transport document.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Documentation](\"https:\/\/www.omniaaduanas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/logistic-worker-teamwork-and-partner-of-foreman-e-2026-01-05-00-13-42-utc-1024x681.webp\")
<\/figure>\nIncoterm of the operation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Incoterm<\/a><\/strong> determines which part of logistics and transport costs corresponds to the seller and which part corresponds to the importer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many import operations from China, the CIF Incoterm (Cost, Insurance and Freight)<\/strong> is used. Under this term, the seller assumes transport to the destination port, but the costs generated upon arrival \u2014 customs clearance, duties, import VAT, port handling or logistics services \u2014 correspond to the importer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Companies that buy directly from Chinese manufacturers are often unaware of these additional costs until the goods arrive at the port or airport, which can create significant differences between the initial purchase price and the real cost of the import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tariff classification: one of the most common mistakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All imported goods must be declared using a Combined Nomenclature code<\/strong>, commonly known as the TARIC code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tariff classification determines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Trade statistics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The customs duty applicable to the import<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Possible trade measures or restrictions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Additional documentary requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOrigin of the goods and trade measures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The customs origin of the goods<\/a><\/strong> determines which trade measures may apply to the import.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the case of China, it is important to bear in mind that there is currently no preferential trade agreement with the European Union<\/strong>. This means that goods originating in China cannot benefit from preferential tariff reductions<\/strong> and are subject to the corresponding duty under the Common Customs Tariff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, certain products originating in China may be subject to trade measures such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Additional documentary requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Anti-dumping duties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specific trade controls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
![\"Importing](\"https:\/\/www.omniaaduanas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/china-national-flag-in-miniature-shopping-trolley-2026-03-09-22-30-42-utc-1024x683.webp\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technical controls that may affect the import<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain products imported from China are subject to prior technical controls before they can be marketed in the European Union<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These controls verify that the product complies with the applicable safety regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the most frequent controls are those carried out by the Official Service for Inspection, Surveillance and Regulation of Exports <\/a>(SOIVRE)<\/strong>; Royal Decree 330\/2008<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens when customs blocks goods?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Specific trade controls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
- Possible trade measures or restrictions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Packing list<\/a><\/li>\n
- Basic documentation for importing from China<\/a>\n
![\"Importing](\"https:\/\/www.omniaaduanas.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/containers-warehouse-aerial-view-shipping-and-lo-2026-01-08-22-17-36-utc-786x1024.webp\")
<\/figure>