Positive List

China Cross-border eCommerce: “Positive List” Helper

It is a must for those wanting to sell to China online to understand the country’s Positive List – as only products that fall into one of the listed categories can be imported into China through a cross-border eCommerce model.

In April 2016, China issued the first version of “Positive List” for cross-border eCommerce (official name of the document is
跨境电子商务零售进口商品清单).

The list was updated several times. Latest extensive update to the list happened in March 2022. 23 new categories were added, 1 removed, existing categories were adjusted according to the latest changes in tax code categories, bringing the total number to 1476.

Wondering if your product is in the “Positive List”? Below tool allows you to search for your product right now. Just start typing in the box below to see what products are in the list.

Alternatively, in our “Resources” section, you can download a PDF copy of the latest version of “Positive list”.

Popular searches:
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wdt_ID Tariff Code Grouping Commodity Category Remarks
1 2101900 Meat Miscellaneous dried, smoked, salted pork Online shopping bonded goods only
2 2102000 Meat Dried, smoked, salted beef Online shopping bonded goods only
3 3061100 Seafood Frozen rock shrimps and other lobsters Only for bonded goods purchased online
4 3061200 Seafood Lobsters and other crustaceans of the Homaridae/Nephropidae family Online shopping bonded goods only
5 3061490 Seafood Miscellaneous frozen crabs Online shopping bonded goods only
6 3061500 Seafood Frozen Norwegian Lobsters Only for bonded goods purchased online
7 3061630 Seafood Frozen cold water shrimp and prawns (Long-fronted shrimp, brown shrimp) shrimp Online shopping for bonded goods only
8 3061690 Seafood Frozen other cold water shrimp and prawns (Long-fronted shrimp, brown shrimp)
9 3061730 Seafood Frozen other prawns and prawns Online shopping for bonded goods only
10 3061911 Seafood Frozen peeled freshwater crayfish Only for bonded goods purchased online
11 3061919 Seafood Frozen freshwater crayfish with shell Only for bonded goods purchased online
12 3061990 Seafood Other frozen crustaceans Only for bonded goods purchased online
13 3063290 Seafood Miscellaneous live, fresh or cold crustaceans of the Homaridae/Nephropidae family Online shopping bonded goods only
14 3063399 Seafood Miscellaneous live, fresh or cold crabs Online shopping bonded goods only
15 3069200 Seafood Dried, smoked, salted cold crustaceans of the Homaridae/Nephropidae family Online shopping bonded goods only
16 3069390 Seafood Miscellaneous dried, smoked, salted crabs Online shopping bonded goods only
17 3071190 Seafood Miscellaneous live, fresh or cold oysters Online shopping bonded goods only
18 3071200 Seafood Frozen oysters Only for bonded goods purchased online
19 3072199 Seafood Live, fresh, chilled other scallop mollusks Online shopping for bonded goods only
20 3072210 Seafood Frozen Scallops Online shopping for bonded goods only
21 3072290 Seafood Frozen other scallop mollusks Online shopping for bonded goods only
22 3072910 Seafood Other scallops Online shopping for bonded goods only
23 3072990 Seafood Other scalloped mollusks Online shopping for bonded goods only
24 3073190 Seafood Miscellaneous live, fresh or cold mussels Online shopping bonded goods only
25 3073200 Seafood Frozen mussels Only for bonded goods purchased online
Tariff Code Grouping Commodity Category Remarks

China Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Positive List"?

China's "Positive List" is a list of product (or commodity) categories which are permitted to be imported to China using a cross-border eCommerce model. Products that do not fall into any listed category are forbidden by law to be imported in this manner. Therefore, any company interested in cross-border eCommerce in China should check whether the products they intend to import are included on this list.

The "Positive List" on "Cross-Border E-Commerce of Imported Commodities at Retail" (hereinafter referred to as the positive list) was first released on April 7, 2016 by 11 China government departments, including 1,142 commodity categories. A supplementary "Positive List" was promulgated on April 15, 2016, adding 151 more commodity categories to the list. The list was updated again in 2018, taking the total to 1,321 categories.

What are the benefits if my product is on the "Positive List"?

- Your product will enjoy a preferential tax rate (including a 30% reduction on VAT) as long as transactional value does not exceed 5000 RMB per transaction or 26,000 RMB per year.

- You can import listed products into China via either the bonded zone model or direct shipping model without applying for an import license or other import certificates.

When entering the bonded zone, the customs clearance form of online bonded commodities will be checked in accordance with traditional commodities, and it will be exempted when leaving the bonded zone.

When will the special registration with cosmetics and baby formulas come to effect?

The “Positive List” required special registration, special licenses or filings under PRC law for first-time imported cosmetics, baby formula, medical equipment and special food products (including healthcare food products), but this registration requirement has been postponed several times, and as of 2019 has now been indefinitely postponed.

What if my product is not on the "Positive List"?

Don’t worry, because your products can still be shipped directly from overseas to China via the postal and courier mode.

Keep in mind that by adapting to postal and courier models, you may expect higher tax rates and more time on customs clearance and other procedures.

China Cross-border eCommerce 

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