China Justice Observer

中司观察

EnglishArabicChinese (Simplified)DutchFrenchGermanHindiItalianJapaneseKoreanPortugueseRussianSpanishSwedishHebrewIndonesianVietnameseThaiTurkishMalay

How Taxes on Goods Imported to China Calculated?-CTD 101 Series

Thu, 13 Apr 2023
Contributors: Zhao Jing
Editor: C. J. Observer

Contributed by Ms. Zhao JingHylands Law Firm. For more posts about China Customs Affairs, please click here.

This post was first published in CJO GLOBAL, which is committed to providing consulting services in China-related cross-border trade risk management and debt collection. We will explain how debt collection works in China below.

China imposes customs duty, consumption tax, and value-added tax on goods imported into its territory.

 

1. Customs Duties

Customs duties are calculated based on the price or quantity of imported goods.

(1) Calculation by price

The customs duties for most goods are calculated based on their prices.

Duties Payable = Dutiable Value * Duty Rate

(2) Calculation by quantity

The customs duties for a small number of goods, such as frozen chicken, crude oil and beer, are calculated based on quantity.

Duties Payable = Quantity of Goods * Unit Duty Rate

2. Consumption Taxes

Customs shall levy consumption tax on alcoholic drinks, tobacco, automobiles, and jewelry.

(1) Calculation by price

Tax Payable = [(Dutiable Value + Dutiable Levied)/(1- Consumption Tax Rate)] * Consumption Tax Rate

(2) Calculation by quantity

Tax Payable = Quantity of Goods*Unit Consumption Tax

3. Value-added Taxes

Value-added tax is collected by customs instead of tax bureaus at the time of import.

Tax Payable= (Dutiable Value + Duties Levied +Consumption Tax Levied) * Value-added Tax Rate

 

 

Contributor: Zhao Jing

Agency/Firm: Hylands Law Firm

Position/Title: Partner

 

 

* * *

Do you need support in cross-border trade and debt collection?

CJO Global's team can provide you with China-related cross-border trade risk management and debt collection services, including: 
(1) Trade Dispute Resolution
(2) Debt Collection
(3) Judgments and Awards Collection
(4) Bankruptcy & Restructuring
(5) Company Verification and Due Diligence
(6) Trade Contract Drafting and Review

If you need our services, or if you wish to share your story, you can contact our Client Manager Susan Li (susan.li@yuanddu.com).

If you want to know more about CJO Global, please click here.

If you want to know more about CJO Global services, please click here.

If you wish to read more CJO Global posts, please click here.

 

 

Photo by Anja Bauermann on Unsplash

 

Contributors: Zhao Jing

Save as PDF

You might also like

China Enacts Landmark Private Economy Promotion Law

China enacted its landmark first Private Economy Promotion Law, effective May 20, 2025, to guarantee fair competition, streamline market access via a unified negative list, and bolster private enterprises through financing, innovation, and service support.

China Eases Tax Refunds to Boost Inbound Tourist Spending

In 2025, China has lowered its departure tax refund threshold from 500 RMB to 200 RMB and doubled cash refund limits to 20,000 RMB while expanding eligible stores and streamlining processes, aiming to boost inbound tourism spending and promote Chinese products.

China Revises Marriage Registration Regulation

China's revised marriage registration rules, effective May 2025, eliminate location restrictions, simplify procedures by removing hukou requirements, and align divorce processes with the Civil Code's cooling-off period.

First Tort Suit Under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law

In March 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) reported the first-ever tort suit under the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, enabling a Chinese firm to recover over CNY 84 million after a European partner withheld payment invoking a third country’s sanctions.

Beijing Passes Autonomous Vehicle Regulation

In December 2024, Beijing passed the "Beijing Autonomous Vehicle Regulation", effective April 1, 2025, to promote development and safety, allowing self-driving cars in taxis, buses, and more after rigorous testing.

China Amends Supervision Law to Strengthen Oversight

The newly amended Supervision Law of the People’s Republic of China, effective June 1, 2025, strengthens oversight, limits supervisory powers, and enhances protections for citizens' rights through standardized enforcement.

China Revises Anti-Money Laundering Law

China's newly revised Anti-Money Laundering Law, effective January 1, 2025, strengthens regulations on financial institutions, enhances AML obligations, and includes measures to prevent terrorist financing.

China Enacts Preschool Education Law

Effective June 1, 2025, China's newly passed Preschool Education Law emphasizes inclusivity and government-led development, and prohibits primary school-style teaching in kindergartens to promote the well-being and development of preschool children.