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How-to Ship to China Mainland Guide
Your guide to shipping to China Mainland
Overview
In today’s global economy, no country represents a bigger opportunity than China Mainland. Home to more than 1.3 billion people and numerous cities with populations over 5 million, China Mainland is the world’s largest exporter, as well as the third-largest importer of U.S. goods. While large corporations have established a presence here, many small- and medium-sized American enterprises are already active here, too.
Capital: Beijing
Population: 1,384,688,986 (July 2018 est.)
Area: 9,596,961 sq. km
Language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin
Currency: Renminbi (RMB)
Major industries include electrical and other machinery, including integrated circuits and other computer components, oil and mineral fuels; optical and medical equipment, metal ores, motor vehicles; soybeans.
Source: CIA World Factbook
Your primer on entering this market begins with a few insights on how business is done.
Guanxi (Gwan Shee)
Business relationships are shaped from building personal relationships, or what the Chinese call guanxi. Spending a little extra time to network now can make for more stable and lasting relationships in the years to come.
Chinese New Year
Falling sometime between January 21 and February 20 each year, Chinese New Year is similar to Christmas and Thanksgiving. It’s not a time to be at work, send or receive shipments. So save the important deliveries for the following week.
Singles Day
The world’s biggest online shopping day occurs on November 11 (i.e. 11/11). Singles Day celebrates bachelorhood in China Mainland and generates double the sales of Cyber Monday and leads to a boon in business and a swell in shipping needs.
• Why you should export to China Mainland
• Video: What you need to know before you export
• Video: Exporting to China Mainland
Getting Started
Visit our international shipping section for step-by-step instructions on how to ship, including:
- Select a shipping service
- Choose a billing option
- Prepare your shipping label
- Create required documentation
- Entrust it to UPS for delivery
- Track your shipment
Need Help?
UPS in China Mainland
Established: 1988
Employees: 5,802
Flights: 200 weekly
Air Hubs: Shenzhen and Shanghai
Delivery Fleet: 842 package vans, trucks, E-trikes and EV cars
Operating Facilities: 228
Essential Information
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Import/Export
Use this UPS Country or Territory Regulations tool to find all of the specific documentation and regulations that may affect your international shipments.
• Import and export forms
• Customs clearance information and duties and taxes
• Areas served
• Billing options
• Gift exemptions
• Invoice requirements
• Items classified as documents
• Prohibited or restricted items
• Transportation options
• Special clearance requirements
• Value limits
• Weight and size limits -
Customs Brokerage
Our expertise with China Mainland’s unique documentation and customs requirements may help to reduce the chance of delays and extra fees. We offer 24/7 customs services with commodity and security inspections, smooth entry into the country and clearance procedures that begin before our planes land.
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UPS® Services
UPS offers faster and more delivery options to Canada than other carriers.
• Package and freight transportation
• Calculate time and cost -
UPS Capital®
UPS Capital offers a suite of financial and insurance services to help protect your bottom line and grow your top line. Options for exporters can include cargo insurance and trade credit insurance which can help mitigate the risks of selling globally.
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