Import/Export Control, Licensing and Quarantine
This domain tests whether you know which goods need a permit, who issues it, and at what point in the shipment timeline it must exist. The recurring theme is that control documents are pre-conditions, not post-clearance paperwork.
Three regulatory baskets
- Prohibited goods - no licence can make them admissible.
- Restricted goods - a licence or permit must be held and quoted at declaration.
- Freely tradable goods - still subject to inspection, quarantine, certification or registration requirements.
Common control documents
- Automatic import licence (自动进口许可证) for goods under automatic monitoring.
- Export licences for restricted exports.
- Dual-use item and technology import/export licence (两用物项和技术) for controlled chemicals, equipment and technologies.
- CITES certificate for endangered species and products.
- CCC (3C) certification for listed electrical and other products.
Quarantine and inspection
- GACC administers inspection and quarantine; the entry animal and plant quarantine licence must be obtained before shipment.
- Overseas food manufacturers must be registered with GACC, and certain goods may only enter through designated ports.
Worked example
A factory imports a used CNC machining centre. First check whether the model appears in the used machinery catalogue. If it does, pre-shipment inspection may be required before loading, an automatic import licence is needed, and certain key used machinery additionally requires a MOFCOM import licence. Declaring first and producing the permits later is not an option.
Traps that cost marks
- Assuming a missing licence can be supplied after arrival.
- Confusing inspection (报检) with declaration (报关) - integrated operationally, but legally distinct.
- Missing that quarantine approval must precede shipment, not arrival.