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How to Send a Parcel to Asia
Are you looking to ship goods to Asia in a professional or personal capacity? Asia includes some 50 countries and plays an important role in international trade. It sees a great deal of both maritime and air traffic transporting goods from around the world.
When sending a parcel to Asia, it’s important to take special care with customs declarations and the various documents that accompany them. There are vital procedures that must be followed to ensure that your shipment meets requirements. In this article, the experts at Globex Courier explain the requirements for some of the continent’s most prominent shipping destinations.
1. China
Sending a parcel to China is not something that can be done at the last minute. It requires a certain amount of organization, particularly given the country’s strict regulations.
Since you are shipping internationally, you will need to fill out a customs declaration for your package. You’ll also need to include the relevant certificates for your goods.
If you are located in Canada, feel free to entrust Montreal-based Globex Courier with all your Chinese shipping needs.
Documents needed to send a parcel to China
For international shipments, there are three main documents you will need to send a parcel to China:
- Packing slip: This document must be in English and indicate the value of the goods in any currency.
- Commercial invoice: This document must also be in English and provide a detailed description of the goods and their value.
- Packing list: This document is generally required for large shipments. It facilitates inspection and expedites the shipping process.
Customs requirements:
It’s vital to follow all guidelines in order to prevent your package being delayed, blocked or destroyed when it reaches China. Package inspections are common at the Chinese border, so make sure you aren’t sending any items that are prohibited or have additional requirements. The list of prohibited and controlled items changes frequently, so make sure to check the official Chinese customs page before sending a parcel to China.
If you aren’t sure how to proceed, get help from an international shipping company.
Tip: Don’t be caught off guard by China’s many public holidays. Consult a list of public holidays in China and take them into account when shipping your goods and documents.
2. Japan
Japan has many business opportunities for investors and companies from around the world. It remains a major player in international trade, despite the recent health crisis slowing its growth.
Customs requirements in Japan
The land of the rising sun has its own particular customs requirements that anyone wanting to send a parcel to Japan will need to follow:
- You must include an itemized invoice of the items in your package
- Packages that weigh over 10 kg must have an import permit
- Parcels sent to individuals are limited to 24 items, for which the shipper must have an import permit
Furthermore, to avoid being surprised with additional costs when you receive your package, you can estimate your customs fees by including customs duties, VAT (between 8 and 10% in Japan) and handling fees (depending on the carrier) in your calculations.
And lastly, remember to check the list of banned goods and make sure your parcel is well packaged and the Japanese delivery address is marked correctly.
3. Hong Kong
Once a British colony, Hong Kong is now a special administrative region of China that is known for its inclination towards luxury and excess. With a population of over 7 million and a 55km-long sea bridge that connects it directly to China, Hong Kong is a true global commercial, economic and financial hub.
Here are the important things to know about sending a package to Hong Kong:
- You’ll need to provide a commercial or pro forma invoice in duplicate
- Make sure that the contents of your shipment are not on the list of banned items
- Some services may require you to print shipping labels and customs documents
- Customs clearance may result in delivery delays
To make sure that your parcel arrives in Hong Kong in good condition, make sure it is well packaged and invest in insurance, or work with a transport broker for true peace of mind.
4. South Korea
Want to send a parcel to South Korea? Here are the steps to follow and how to do it correctly.
What you’ll need when sending a parcel to South Korea:
- A commercial or pro forma invoice with at least 2 copies (in English with details of the goods being shipped and their value)
- Fragile parcels such as paintings must be shipped with adequate packaging
Requirements for sending parcels to South Korea
In South Korea, the CIF method is used to calculate taxes and duties on imported goods. That means that value of the imported goods, shipping costs and insurance are all considered when calculating the taxes and duties payable.
South Korea is known for being very strict with undervalued imports. They also take a hard line on perishable goods and items and propaganda from North Korea.
Send your parcels to Asia with Globex Courier!
Are you a professional looking for a business shipping solution to send parcels to China, Japan or elsewhere in Asia?
Are you an individual looking for the best rates to send regular shipments to your relatives abroad?
Contact Globex international courier for quick service and shipping support worldwide.
