Duty-Free Policy for Foreign Experts ： What You Can Bring

  

Source: OT-Team(G), 人民网

A new school in Ningbo is recruiting top global experts, but what personal and research items can they bring duty-free? Here's China's customs policy explained.

A soon-to-be-established school in Ningbo plans to recruit numerous high-level overseas experts for teaching and research. But how should these professionals declare their personal and scientific items when entering China? What are the key regulations to follow?

The Ningbo Customs authorities have provided detailed answers based on The Administrative Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit of Articles by High-Level Overseas Returnees and Foreign Experts.

Customs Policies for High-Level Talent

According to the regulations, high-level professionals who return to China to settle or work for at least one year may bring in a reasonable quantity of research, teaching, and personal items duty-free. Exceptions include motor vehicles (such as sedans, SUVs, and passenger vans with ≤9 seats) and other taxable items specified by the state.

How to Declare Inbound Items

Depending on the category, different declaration procedures apply:

1.Personal Items

(1)Declaration Method:

Submit an Application Form for Inbound/Outbound Personal Articles along with identification documents (issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security or the Ministry of Education), a valid entry-exit ID, and a long-term residence permit or Returning (Foreign) Expert Certificate. Applications can be made in person or via an authorized representative, with electronic data submission required.

①　There is no limit on the number of entries, but each arrival requires customs clearance and duty exemption approval.

(2)Eligible Items:

①　First-time entry: One household camera, camera, portable recorder, portable CD player, or laptop per category.

②　Daily necessities (clothing, bedding, kitchenware, etc.).

③　Other personal items.

2.Research & Teaching Equipment

(1)Declaration Method:

Present an identity certificate (issued by relevant authorities) and a completed Passenger Declaration Form for immediate clearance.

(2)Eligible Items:

①　Small instruments for research, testing, and teaching (radio-controlled devices require prior approval).

②　Minor lab equipment.

③　Books, software, lecture notes.

④　Specimens, models, slides.

⑤　Experimental materials.

(3) Work-Related Consumables & Non-Consumables

①　Consumables (reagents, raw materials, parts):

Handled by the employer under the Provisional Rules on Tax Exemption for Scientific and Educational Imports.

②　Non-consumables (temporary imports):

A guarantee from the employer is required, and items must be re-exported on schedule.

Outbound Declarations

1.For academic trips, reasonable quantities of research/teaching items (excluding prohibited goods) can be exported under temporary exit procedures.

2.When leaving China, experts must submit an Application Form for Inbound/Outbound Personal Articles along with original import documents for clearance.