What Is a Customs Declaration?
Every parcel leaving China needs a customs declaration. Customs uses it to understand what is inside the parcel, whether tax applies, whether inspection is needed and whether the parcel can be released.
How to Write Item Names
Use specific English names. Avoid vague declarations such as gift, goods, sample, accessories, daily use items or household things.
Good vs bad examples
| Category | Good declaration | Bad declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Cotton T-shirt / wool sweater | Gift / clothes |
| Electronics | Used mobile phone with built-in lithium battery | Electronics |
| Food | Luosifen rice noodle soup / packaged snacks | Food |
| Cosmetics | Facial cream / liquid foundation | Beauty products |
| Books | Printed books | Paper |
Common item names in English
Clothing
- Cotton T-shirt
- Down jacket
- Sneakers
- Bed sheet set
Electronics
- Used mobile phone with built-in lithium battery
- Laptop computer
- Bluetooth earphones
- Charging cable
Food
- Packaged Chinese snacks
- Hot pot soup base
- Luosifen rice noodle soup
- Tea leaves
Cosmetics
- Facial toner
- Moisturizing cream
- Liquid foundation
- Lipstick
Baby products
- Infant formula powder
- Baby bottle
- Baby clothes
- Diapers
Household goods
- Kitchenware
- Plastic storage box
- Printed books
- Home decoration
How to Declare Value
Declared value should reflect the real purchase price or a reasonable market value. Under-declaring expensive goods can trigger inspection, tax adjustment or delays.
Value writing examples
| Parcel | Suggested value logic | Risky approach |
|---|---|---|
| Used clothing | Use a realistic used-item value. | Declare everything as USD 1. |
| New phone | Use actual purchase value or invoice value. | Declare as low-value accessories. |
| Snacks and food | Use total purchase price by item group. | Declare as gift with no detail. |
| Bulk 1688 goods | Use actual wholesale purchase value. | Declare commercial quantity as personal gift. |
HS code note
For normal personal parcels, customers usually do not need to provide exact HS codes manually, but item names should be specific enough for the logistics provider or customs broker to classify them properly.
Recipient Information Requirements
| Field | Requirement | Common issue |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Use full recipient name matching local delivery needs. | Nickname or incomplete name. |
| Phone | Use reachable local phone number. | Missing area code or unreachable number. |
| Address | Include unit, street, city, postcode and country. | Missing apartment number or postcode. |
| Useful for customs or carrier notices. | No email for tax or delivery messages. |
DDP Tax-Inclusive vs DAP Recipient-Pays
DDP - duties/taxes handled
DDP routes are designed so duties and taxes are handled as part of the shipping arrangement when applicable. It is easier for personal parcels that need predictable door delivery.
DAP - recipient may pay
DAP means the recipient may be contacted by customs or the carrier to pay taxes, duties or handling charges before delivery.
Tax terms do not replace accurate declaration. A DDP parcel still needs clear item names and realistic values.
UK / US / Canada Customs Notes
United States
- Clear item names help avoid manual inspection.
- Food and cosmetics should avoid vague descriptions.
- High-value electronics should not be under-declared.
United Kingdom
- VAT and customs handling depend on route and declared value.
- Recipient address and postcode must be accurate.
- DDP routes can reduce surprise recipient charges.
Canada
- Customs can be cautious with food, cosmetics and commercial quantities.
- Personal-use quantity is easier to explain.
- Keep phone and email reachable for carrier contact.
All destinations
- Do not hide sensitive goods inside regular declarations.
- Match packing, route and declaration.
- Ask customer service before shipping unusual items.
Common Declaration Errors
- Declaring everything as "gift" or "goods".
- Using one very low value for many expensive items.
- Declaring battery devices as ordinary accessories.
- Calling all food simply "food" without item type.
- Mixing commercial quantities with personal-use declarations.
- Leaving recipient phone, postcode or apartment number incomplete.
- Using Chinese-only item names on an English customs route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when it is truly a gift, and even then item names and values should still be specific and realistic.
No. Unreasonably low values can trigger inspection, value adjustment, delays or return.
Yes. DDP changes tax handling, not the need for accurate item names and values.
Use specific names such as used clothing, used shoes or used books, with a reasonable used-item value.
Group similar items and list the main categories clearly, such as cotton clothes, printed books and packaged snacks.
Most personal parcel customers do not need to fill exact HS codes, but clear item names help classification.
