Oils/Coatings/Pigments Customs Clearance Service (for Import into China)

Imported coatings must adhere to hazardous substance limits outlined in the following Chinese national standards:

• Interior Decoration Materials - Solvent-Based Wood Coatings (GB 18581-2001; National Standard of China)

• Interior Decoration Materials - Interior Wall Coatings (GB 18582-2001; National Standard of China)

• Code for Indoor Environmental Pollution Control of Civil Building Engineering (GB 50325-2001; National Standard of China)

Since July 1, 2002, imported coatings have fallen under a comprehensive management framework that integrates registration, specialized testing, and port inspection.

1. Producers, importers, or agents of imported coatings (referred to as “applicants” below) can submit coating registration applications to China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC).

2. Applications need to be filed at least 2 months before the intended import date.

3. Applicants must fill out the Imported Coating Registration Application Form.

4. Required supporting documents include:

• Stamped copy of the applicant’s Business License; if applicable, copies of local bottlers’ business licenses;

• A manufacturer’s declaration confirming compliance with China’s hazardous substance regulations;

• Technical data (in Chinese) covering composition, brand, model, origin, labeling, and bottling details;

• Other documents requested by GACC.

1. GACC will review applications within 5 business days and issue an Application Acceptance Notice (Annex 2). Incomplete submissions will need to be revised and resubmitted.

2. Approved applicants must send representative samples (two 1-liter samples) to GACC’s designated testing lab for specialized analysis.

1. Testing Timeline: Results are released within 15 business days.

2. Registration Approval: GACC will greenlight registrations within 3 business days of receiving passing test reports.

3. Import Coating Registration Certificates are valid for 2 years. If formula changes impact product safety, re-registration is necessary.

4. Revocation Conditions (with a 6-month application ban):

• Falsifying registration documents;

• Two instances where declared goods don’t match actual shipments;

• Three consecutive failed inspections.

1. Import declarations must include the Registration Certificate or a copy of it.

2. Port customs will check compliance with the Registration Certificate and perform random sampling on coated products.

3. Unregistered coatings will face 100% sampling per GB 3186-82(89) standards. Compliance is confirmed using test reports.

4. Key Operational Guidelines (enforced by local customs):

• Registration is voluntary but highly recommended;

• Interior decorative coatings require separate registration for each unique formulation/brand;

• Non-decorative coatings (e.g., automotive paints) can be grouped under a single registration;

• Buyer can use manufacturer-registered certificates with GACC-verified copies;

• Small-batch processing trade coatings follow risk-based management.

1. Akzo Nobel (Netherlands) – Includes ICI (UK)

2. PPG Industries (USA) – Includes Master’s Mark, Sikkens, and SigmaKalon (Netherlands)

3. Henkel (Germany)

4. Sherwin-Williams (USA)

5. E. I. du Pont de Nemours (USA)

6. BASF Coatings (Germany)

7. Valspar (USA)

8. RPM International (USA)

9. 3M (USA)

10. Nippon Paint (Japan) / Diamond Vogel (USA)