IMPORT PROCEDURE

The whole procedure can be divided into three parts, with details as follows:

PREPARATION
Be well prepared for all the necessary formalities, all of which will guarantee a smooth business development in the future.

PREPARATION FOR THE IMPORT TRADE
Before engaging in the import trade, the importer should proceed to the following preparatory steps:

Application for Business License
A common Chinese company must apply for international business license with the local government organization in charge of foreign economic affairs.

Registration with The Customs Office
With the business license in hand, the importer must register with the local Customs Office, In order to make declaration for his import & export goods.

Application for Import Quota
Some goods are subject to quantity restriction, so the importer must apply for import quota for them.

Registration for Important Industrial Products
In addition to the goods requiring import quota, some important industrial products, such as petroleum, steel and alcohol, are also required to be registered with the relevant government organization.

Application for Import License
Import License is another measure of import restriction. Its scope is a little broader than that of the Import Quota.

Registration with The SAFE
SAFE is the government organization responsible for China's international trade balance and it also oversees the activities of all parties concerned.

If the importer doesn't want to be engaged directly in international trade, he may entrust a foreign trading company to handle the relative work. One or more of the above steps would be omitted.

PROCEDURE
From market research to final accont settlement, the main procedure includes business negotiation, establishing L/C, customs clearance and import inspection etc.

IMPORT BUSINESS PROCEDURE
MARKET RESEARCH
Market research is an essential part of any successful business, be it domestic or international.

NEGOTIATION
From offer to acceptance the parties concerned reach agreement on certain terms and conditions of the contract.

ISSUING L/C
L/C is still the prevailing tool for international settlement betweent new business partners.

SWITCH B/L
After receiving shipping documents the importer should exchange the original B/L for Delivery Order with the local agent of the carrier.

APPLYING FOR INSPECTION
Some imported goods are required to be inspected or quarantined before entering the country. Some importers also apply for inspection voluntarily because of dispute with the exporter or the carrier.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
The most important, complex and sensitive step in import business procedure.

IMPORT INSPECTION
The importer should provide some samples for inspection. The certificate issued will provide him with evidence for legal import and quality of the goods.

MAKING PAYMENT
Payment can be made in many ways: T/T, D/P, D/A, L/C. Which way to choose depends on the business relationship of the importer and the exporter.

FINAL WORK
Some supplementary work should be done in order to finish the whole run of the import trade.

FINAL WORK OF THE IMPORT TRANSATION
After completing the main procedure some supplementary work still needs to be fulfilled.

IMPORT VERIFICATION
The importer should report all the data of his international settlements to the local SAFE periodically.

DOMESTIC SALES
The import trade is not successful until the goods have reached the end-users. Stable distribution channel is essential for long-term import business.