Export apparel to China
China is a major exporter of textile products and it imports mainly high-end clothing. Currently the high-end apparel market is dominated by brands from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S., the U.K. and Korea. The medium and low end markets are dominated by Hong Kong, Taiwan and domestic brands.
Very few Canadian brands are known to Chinese consumers. Overall, Canadian companies have not been successful in this highly competitive market. In light of the financial crisis, China’s apparel exports are expected to decline by 15% in 2009. This downturn will likely cause many export-oriented manufacturers to sell domestically, leading to a more competitive market in China. Therefore, there is little opportunity for exporting medium and low-end clothes to China.
You should know that your Chinese importer needs to present a health certificate (CFIA form #5280) and a certificate of origin (issued by a local chamber of commerce in Canada) to clear inspection by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau at the entry province of China.
There must be a Chinese label on the retail packaging of the wine. Your Chinese importer should be able to help with the Chinese label as well. Key information required on the label includes product name, place of origin, date of production and shelf life, storage condition, ingredients list, name and the contact details of the Chinese importer or distributor.
Please note that following China’s new food safety law, the Chinese central government is applying strict rules on ingredients and additives in food products sold here, so it may take some time to get specialty wine in, especially wines that contain new ingredients.
Wine is becoming more and more popular among the Chinese mainly because of its health benefits. There are many imported wines available, mainly from France, Italy, Spain, the United States and Australia. Canadian ice wine is much more popular in China than Canadian regular table wines.
Ginseng wine, for example, is not commonly seen in the market. Ginseng has traditionally been an ingredient for soup or liquor but it is believed that only strong liquor could bring out the benefits of ginseng, so it might take some time and effort to market ginseng wine here. Also, no health benefit can be claimed against your specialty wine until you have applied and received special certification from China’s Food and Drug Administration.
Another limitation for foreign brand apparel would be that Chinese sizes don’t always correspond well with western sizes so you may have to adapt your design and production.
Regarding the tariff on apparel, it has been reduced to between 14% and 17.5% after China became a member of the World Trade Organisation. That said, the specific harmonized codes for your products are needed to know the accurate tariff rates. Please provide more information about the kind of apparel your company is planning to export to China.
Canadian wine and liquor has been exported to China for years now. What is the harmonized code for the specific wine that you wish to export to China? Once we have that information, we can identify accurate tariff rates for you.
From:http://www.international.gc.ca