Oils/Coatings/Pigments Customs Clearance Service (Importing into China)

Imported coatings must meet the hazardous substance limits specified 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 been subject to a comprehensive management system combining registration, specialized testing, and port inspection.

1. Producers, importers, or agents of imported coatings (hereinafter referred to as applicants) may apply for coating registration with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

2. Applications must be submitted at least 2 months prior to importation.

3. Applicants must complete the Application Form for Imported Coating Registration.

4. Required supporting documents include:

• Copy of the applicant's Business License (stamped), and copies of分装厂商 (local bottlers)' business licenses if applicable;

• A declaration from the manufacturer certifying compliance with China's hazardous substance regulations;

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

• Other documents as requested by GACC.

1. GACC will review applications within 5 working days and issue an Application Acceptance Notice (Annex 2). Incomplete applications will require resubmission after corrections.

2. Accepted applicants must submit representative samples (2 samples of 1 liter each) to GACC's designated testing laboratory for specialized analysis.

1. Testing Period: Results will be issued within 15 working days.

2. Registration Issuance: GACC will approve registrations within 3 working days of receiving合格检测报告 (qualified test reports).

3. Import Coating Registration Certificates are valid for 2 years. Re-registration is required if formulation changes affect product safety.

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

• Falsifying registration documents;

• Two instances of non-compliance between declared and actual goods;

• Three consecutive failed inspections.

1. Import declarations must include the Registration Certificate or its copy.

2. Port customs will verify compliance with the Registration Certificate and conduct random sampling for coated goods.

3. Unregistered coatings will undergo 100% sampling per GB 3186-82(89) standards. Compliance verification is based on testing reports.

4. Key Operational Guidelines (local customs enforcement):

• Registration is voluntary but strongly recommended;

• Interior decorative coatings require separate registration for different formulations/brands;

• Non-decorative coatings (e.g., automotive paints) may be grouped under one registration;

• Manufacturer-registered certificates can be used by buyers with GACC-verified copies;

• Small-batch processing trade coatings are subject to risk-based management.

1. Akzo Nobel (Netherlands) - Including ICI (UK)

2. PPG Industries (USA) - Including 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)