Arielle Cruz
China's alcoholic drinks market has experienced significant growth in recent years, with foreign alcohol becoming increasingly popular. However, importing alcohol into China is not a simple process, and businesses must navigate various regulations, licences, and documentation. Similarly, the UK has specific requirements for importing alcoholic products, including excise duty, customs duty, and VAT considerations. To successfully import alcohol from the UK to China, one must understand the procedures, costs, and timeframes involved in both markets, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Market size | 687 million hectolitres in 2014 |
| CAGR | 5.3% from 2009 to 2014 |
| Certificate requirements | Certificate of Health/Sanitation, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale |
| Label requirements | Labels must be in Chinese and comply with relevant Chinese legislation and standards |
| Competent authority for certificates | TTB's International Affairs Division (IAD) |
| Competent authority for licensing and registering importers and exporters | Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) |
| Licence types | Automatic and Non-automatic |
| Taxes | Standard VAT (13%), Excise Tax (10%), Custom Duty |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the procedure, documents, costs, and timeline
Importing alcohol into China is a complex process that requires careful adherence to regulations and standards. Here is a detailed guide to understanding the procedure, documents, costs, and timeline involved in importing alcohol from the UK to China.
Procedure
The first step is to register your business with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ) and obtain an import license. The AQSIQ is the competent authority responsible for licensing and registering importers and exporters of alcoholic beverage products entering China. The importer of record must submit an application, and upon approval, they will be assigned a Serial Number and added to a list of approved importers.
Once licensed, you must ensure that your products meet the labelling requirements. Labels must be in Chinese and comply with relevant Chinese legislation and standards. The AQSIQ website provides guidance on meeting their labelling requirements.
When the shipment arrives at a Chinese port, the consignor or agent must declare it to the local inspection and quarantine authority (CIQ). The CIQ conducts on-site inspections and may take samples for health safety measures. After passing the inspection, the CIQ will issue a certificate of approval based on sanitation.
Documents
Several documents are required for importing alcohol into China, including:
- Certificate of Health/Sanitation
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale: These certificates must be signed, stamped, and dated by a competent authority from the product's country of origin.
- Phytosanitary/Health Certificate: This certificate must also be signed, stamped, and dated by the competent authority from the producer's country.
Costs
The cost of importing alcohol into China includes various taxes, which can amount to approximately 30% in total. These taxes include:
- Standard VAT at 13%
- Excise Tax at 10%
- Custom Duty for the alcohol imported: The taxation amount is determined by the value of the import and is cross-referenced with the invoice and packing list.
Timeline
The timeline for importing alcohol into China can vary depending on various factors, such as the efficiency of the registration and licensing process, shipping time from the UK to China, and the duration of the inspection process. However, as per the information available, there are no fees or wait times for approval of the notification for registration and licensing.
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Obtaining the necessary certificates and approvals
To import alcohol from the UK to China, you will need to obtain several certificates and approvals. The specific requirements may vary depending on the type of alcohol and the regulations in both the UK and China. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
- Register your business and obtain an import licence: First, you need to register your business with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ). You can do this by submitting an application to the Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the AQSIQ online via www.mofcom.gov.cn. Once your application is approved, you will be assigned a Serial Number and added to the list of approved importers. After obtaining this registration, you can apply for an import licence. There are two types of licences available from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM): Automatic and Non-automatic. For alcohol, licensing is typically automatic.
- Obtain a Certificate of Health/Sanitation, Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Authenticity: These certificates are mandatory for importing alcohol into China. The Certificate of Health/Sanitation and the Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale must be signed, stamped, and dated by a competent authority from the UK as the product's country of origin. The Certificate of Origin can be signed by any government entity, such as a state chamber of commerce, that can verify the origin of the product.
- Ensure proper labelling: Beverage alcohol imported into China must bear Chinese labels that comply with relevant Chinese legislation and standards. The labels must meet the labelling standards for pre-packaged alcoholic beverages and be at least the same size as the international label. China's Compulsory Mark (CCC) requirements must also be met.
- Register with China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ): When your shipment arrives at a Chinese port, you or your agent must declare it to the local CIQ authority. They will conduct an on-site inspection and may take samples for health safety measures. After passing the inspection, your commodities will be released, and beverage alcohol will be issued a certificate of approval based on sanitation.
It is important to carefully review the regulations and requirements of both the UK and China to ensure you have all the necessary certificates and approvals for importing alcohol. The process can be complex, and seeking advice from specialised entities or consultants is recommended.
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Labelling and packaging requirements
Once licensed, it is important to ensure that your product packaging and labelling comply with Chinese legislation and standards. Beverage alcohol imported in bottles must bear Chinese labels, and all imported products must meet China's Compulsory Mark (CCC). The label must be at least the same size as the international label and clearly displayed on the packaging. China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) officials will conduct an on-site inspection of the shipment upon arrival at a Chinese port, and they may take samples for health safety measures.
To facilitate the CIQ inspection process, it is advisable to provide a detailed PDF layout of the bottle and packaging, fully translated into Chinese, along with a physical copy and the original. The AQSIQ website provides guidance on ensuring that labels meet their requirements. Obtaining the necessary certificates is also vital. These include a Certificate of Health/Sanitation, a Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale, signed, stamped, and dated by the competent authority from the product's country of origin.
Additionally, a phytosanitary/health certificate is required, which cannot be issued by the supplier or manufacturer. The statement of origin can be self-generated or completed by a competent authority. It is worth noting that there is a consolidated export certificate for wine that incorporates all three certificates (Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Health/Sanitation, and Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale) and is approved by the Chinese government. Ensuring compliance with all labelling and packaging requirements is essential to successfully importing alcohol into China.
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Licensing and registration
Importing alcohol into China is a complex process that involves several steps, including licensing and registration. Here is a detailed guide on the licensing and registration requirements for importing alcohol into China:
- The first step is to register your business with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ). This is the competent authority responsible for licensing and registering importers of alcoholic beverage products entering China.
- After registering with AQSIQ, you will need to apply for an import licence. Alcohol is not considered a restricted or prohibited substance in China, so licensing is typically automatic. The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) offers two types of licences: Automatic and Non-automatic. The licence you obtain should cover the exact products you intend to import, as outlined in your registration certificate.
- To sell imported alcohol in China, you will also need to obtain a general licence. This can be applied for after your company has been registered and obtained the necessary business licence (WFOE). This step often presents complications, as China Inspection and Quarantine requires a detailed PDF layout of the bottle and packaging, fully translated into Chinese, along with a physical copy and the original. The labels must comply with Chinese legislation and standards, and the Chinese label should be at least the same size as the international label.
- Imported alcohol must also comply with China's Compulsory Mark (CCC) requirements and bear certain certificates. These include a Certificate of Health/Sanitation, Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale, signed and stamped by the competent authority from the country of origin. The Chinese government does not accept Health/Sanitary Certificates issued by the supplier or producer; they must be issued by a competent authority.
- Once your shipment arrives at a Chinese port, the consignor or their agent must declare it to the local inspection and quarantine authority (CIQ). CIQ officials will conduct an on-site inspection and may take samples for health safety measures. After passing the inspection, a certificate of approval will be issued, and the commodities will be released.
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Taxation and duties
Chinese Import Taxes and Duties
China imposes three different taxes on imported alcohol, which can amount to approximately 30% of the total cost. These are the Standard VAT at 13%, Excise Tax at 10%, and Custom Duty for the alcohol imported. The taxation amount is determined by the value of the import and that’s cross-referenced with the invoice and packing list.
Chinese Licensing and Registration Requirements
Before importing alcohol into China, it is imperative to navigate the country's licensing and registration policies. The first step is to register your business with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ) and obtain an import license. The AQSIQ is responsible for overseeing the licensing and registration of importers and exporters of alcoholic beverage products entering China. The importer of record in China must submit an online application to the AQSIQ and will be assigned a Serial Number upon approval.
There are two types of licenses available from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM): Automatic and Non-Automatic. Fortunately, alcohol is not classified as a restricted or prohibited item, so licensing is typically automatic and used for tracking and statistical purposes rather than imposing import restrictions.
Labelling and Certification Requirements
China has specific labelling and certification requirements for imported alcoholic beverages. Bottled alcoholic beverages must bear Chinese labels that comply with relevant Chinese legislation and standards. The labels must meet the labelling standards for pre-packaged alcoholic beverages, and the Chinese label should be at least the same size as the international label and clearly displayed on the packaging.
Additionally, imported alcohol must have specific certificates, including a Certificate of Health/Sanitation, a Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale. These certificates must be signed, stamped, and dated by the competent authority from the product's country of origin. The Chinese government does not accept Health/Sanitary Certificates issued by the supplier or producer but allows self-generated statements of origin.
UK Excise Duty and VAT
When importing alcohol into the UK, it becomes liable for UK Excise Duty and VAT. However, there are circumstances where you may not need to pay Excise Duty immediately upon arrival. These include delivering the alcohol to an approved excise warehouse or customs warehouse or receiving it into your registered premises as a registered brewer. To facilitate the import process and ensure compliance with regulations, it is advisable to engage the services of a registered Customs Broker or Consignor.
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Frequently asked questions
First, register your business with The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of PRC (AQSIQ) and obtain an import license. Next, ensure your product labels are compliant with Chinese legislation and standards, and include a Chinese translation. Then, submit an application to the Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and register online via www.mofcom.gov.cn. Finally, when your shipment arrives at a Chinese port, declare it to the local inspection and quarantine authority (CIQ).
There are two types of licenses available from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM): Automatic and Non-automatic. Alcohol is not considered restricted or prohibited, so licensing is typically automatic. However, different licenses are required for different operational activities in China.
There are three different taxes that apply to alcohol imports in China, totaling approximately 30%: Standard VAT at 13%, Excise Tax at 10%, and Custom Duty. The taxation amount is determined by the value of the import, which is cross-referenced with the invoice and packing list.
Imported alcohol products must have a Certificate of Health/Sanitation, Certificate of Origin, and a Certificate of Authenticity/Free Sale. These certificates must be signed, stamped, and dated by a competent authority from the product's country of origin.
