Served locally from our Guangzhou office
Our Guangzhou office supports trading companies, Canton Fair buyers, distributors and manufacturers across Guangzhou, Foshan and the western Pearl River Delta.
About our Guangzhou officeCustoms problems are cheaper to prevent than to litigate
China Customs (GACC) has broad audit powers reaching back three years, and classification or valuation errors compound across every shipment. We keep importers and exporters compliant — and defend them when an audit letter arrives.
Advisory & planning
- HS classification opinions — binding pre-classification where available; the difference between adjacent codes can be several points of duty
- Customs valuation — royalties, assists, related-party pricing and their interaction with transfer pricing
- Origin & trade agreements — RCEP and other FTA preference qualification
- AEO certification — achieving Advanced Certified Enterprise status for faster clearance and fewer inspections
When trouble starts
- Audit response — managing GACC audits and self-disclosure strategy; voluntary disclosure can eliminate or sharply reduce penalties
- Administrative penalty defence — hearings and reconsideration against smuggling-conduct findings and fines
- Detained shipments — securing release of goods held for IP, labelling or licensing issues
Special regimes
We advise on cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) import rules, bonded-zone operations in Qianhai and Nansha, and processing-trade handbooks for manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
What triggers a China customs audit?
Common triggers include price anomalies versus industry benchmarks, royalty payments visible in foreign-exchange records, classification inconsistencies across ports, tip-offs, and random selection by risk profile. High import volumes with related-party suppliers attract particular attention.
Should we self-disclose a past customs error?
Often yes — China's voluntary disclosure regime can reduce or eliminate administrative penalties if you disclose before Customs discovers the issue. But disclosure must be complete and properly framed; a botched disclosure can widen the audit. Take advice before approaching Customs.