How to Import Chemical Raw Materials from China – Guide for Overseas Buyers

How to Import Chemical Raw Materials from China – Guide for Overseas Buyers

China is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of chemical raw materials, covering inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, additives, resins, dyes, and more. For overseas buyers, importing chemical raw materials involves specialized requirements such as hazardous chemical permits, MSDS, HS code classification, and packaging/transportation compliance. This article systematically introduces the entire process, qualification requirements, risk warnings, and practical advice for importing Chinese chemical raw materials.

I. Overview of China’s Chemical Raw Material Procurement

China’s chemical industry ranks first in global scale. Main export categories include:

• Inorganic Chemicals: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, etc.
• Organic Chemicals: Acetic acid, methanol, phthalic anhydride, acetone, etc.
• Additives & Auxiliaries: Antioxidants, light stabilizers, plasticizers, etc.
• Resins & Polymers: Epoxy resin, acrylic resin, PE, PP, etc.
• Dyes & Pigments: Disperse dyes, reactive dyes, organic pigments, etc.

Procurement Advantages: Strong price competitiveness, large production capacity, complete industry chain.
Procurement Challenges: High compliance requirements for hazardous chemicals, uneven quality, complex HS code classification, numerous transportation restrictions.

II. Chemical Classification & Compliance Requirements

1. Hazardous Chemicals vs. General Chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals (危化品): Substances listed in the “Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals” (China) or classified under the “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS), such as flammable liquids, corrosive substances, toxic substances, etc.

General Chemicals: Ordinary chemicals not listed in the hazardous chemical catalog, such as some inorganic salts, polymers, etc.

Compliance Differences:

Item	Hazardous Chemicals	General Chemicals
Supplier Qualification	Requires “Hazardous Chemical Business License”	Business license is sufficient
MSDS/SDS	Mandatory (Chinese & English)	Recommended
Packaging	UN-certified packaging	General packaging
Transportation	Hazardous goods transport (IMDG/IATA DGR)	General goods transport
Import License	Some countries require import permit	Generally not required

2. China’s Regulation of Hazardous Chemicals

China’s “Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals” stipulate that producing, selling, storing, or transporting hazardous chemicals requires corresponding permits. When procuring, be sure to verify that the supplier possesses:

• Hazardous Chemical Business License (business scope must cover the purchased varieties)
• Non-drug Precursor Chemical Business Record (if involving acetone, toluene, and other precursor chemicals)
• ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other system certifications (plus points)

III. Qualifications & Documents Required for Import

1. Documents to be provided by the exporter (Chinese supplier)

• Business License (business scope includes exported chemicals)
• Hazardous Chemical Business License (if applicable)
• MSDS/SDS (Material Safety Data Sheet, 16 sections, Chinese & English versions)
• Certificate of Analysis (COA): Quality inspection report for each batch
• Certificate of Origin (COO): Certificate of origin (for enjoying tariff preferences)
• Appraisal Report on Transport Conditions of Goods: Appraisal determining whether it is hazardous goods (issued by Shanghai Institute of Chemical Industry and other institutions)

2. Qualifications to be prepared by the importer (overseas buyer)

• Import License (if the destination country has import restrictions on specific chemicals, such as EU REACH Substances of Very High Concern SVHC)
• Business License (business scope includes chemical import/sales)
• Local Hazardous Chemical Business/Storage Permit (if required by destination country)

IV. HS Code Classification & Tariff Query

The HS Code (Harmonized System Code) directly determines tariff rates and regulatory conditions. Incorrect classification may lead to customs seizure and fines.

Practical Steps:

1. Log in to the Chinese Customs “Import and Export Tariff Commodity and Article Description” to query the corresponding code
2. Confirm “regulatory conditions”: whether “Import License”, “Hazardous Chemical Business License”, etc., are required
3. Query destination country tariff rates: log in to the destination country’s customs official website or consult a customs broker
4. Verify whether the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) preferential rate applies (such as RCEP, China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, etc.)

Example: Titanium dioxide usually falls under HS 32061110, export rebate rate 13%, import tariff depends on the destination country.

V. Packaging, Labeling & Transportation Requirements

1. Packaging Requirements

• Hazardous Chemicals: Must use UN-certified packaging (such as UN steel drums, UN IBC tons of barrels), UN markings must be printed on the packaging
• General Chemicals: General woven bags, paper bags, PE bags, etc., but must meet moisture-proof and damage-proof requirements
• Liquid Chemicals: Recommended to use UN galvanized drums or IBC tons of barrels to prevent leakage

2. Labeling Requirements (GHS Labels)

According to the GHS system, GHS labels must be affixed to hazardous chemical packaging, including:

• Signal word (such as “Danger”, “Warning”)
• Hazard statements (such as “Flammable liquid and vapor”)
• Precautionary statements (such as “Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames”)
• Supplier information (name, address, phone)

Note: It is recommended that labels for exported chemicals be bilingual in Chinese and English. If the destination country has local language requirements (such as Brazil requiring Portuguese), local language labels must be additionally affixed.

3. Transportation Requirements

Hazardous chemical transportation must comply with:

• IMDG Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) – Sea freight
• IATA DGR (International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods Regulations) – Air freight
• ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) – European road transport

Before transportation, hazardous goods transport appraisal must be processed, and the logistics company must have hazardous goods transport qualifications.

VI. Quality Control & Third-Party Inspection

The quality of chemical raw materials directly affects downstream product performance. It is recommended to adopt the following quality control measures:

1. Before Procurement

• Request a typical COA (Certificate of Analysis) to confirm the supplier’s testing capability
• Request a third-party testing report (such as component analysis issued by SGS)
• Purchase samples first before placing an order, and test them yourself or send them to a third party for testing

2. During Production

• Stipulate in the contract that “COA must be provided with each batch of goods“
• Clearly define limits for key indicators (such as purity, moisture, impurities) in the contract

3. Before Shipment

• Arrange Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI): Have SGS/BV or other institutions sample and test at the factory/warehouse, and shipment is only allowed after passing
• PSI cost is about 0.3%-0.5% of the goods value, but can prevent over 80% of quality disputes

4. After Arrival

• Immediately sample and send to a laboratory recognized by the destination country for testing (such as local SGS branches)
• Compare the COA with the arrival testing report. If discrepancies are found, notify the supplier in writing within 24-48 hours

VII. Common Risks & Precautions

Risk 1: Supplier lacks hazardous chemical business qualifications
Some suppliers operate hazardous chemicals beyond their business scope. In case of an accident, the buyer will also bear joint liability.
Response: Request a scanned copy of the supplier’s “Hazardous Chemical Business License” and verify its authenticity on the issuing authority’s official website.

Risk 2: MSDS/SDS information incomplete or outdated
MSDS is an essential document for customs clearance. Incomplete content or an outdated version (such as not the GHS revised edition) will cause customs clearance delays.
Response: Request the supplier to provide the latest version of MSDS (16 sections, bilingual Chinese and English), and verify for yourself whether information such as CAS number, component concentration, and first-aid measures are complete.

Risk 3: HS code classification error
Incorrect classification will lead to wrong tariff rates and missing regulatory conditions, and may be penalized by customs.
Response: Consult a professional customs broker or chemical-specialized customs declaration company to ensure accurate HS code.

Risk 4: Packaging or labeling does not meet destination country requirements
For example, hazardous chemicals exported to the EU must comply with the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labeling, and Packaging Regulation), and labels must be in the official EU languages.
Response: Understand the destination country’s label language and content requirements in advance, and clearly state in the procurement contract that “labels must comply with destination country regulations.”

Risk 5: Unable to find a suitable logistics provider for hazardous goods transport
There are few international logistics companies with hazardous goods transport qualifications, and freight rates are 2-5 times higher than general goods.
Response: Contact freight forwarders with IMDG/IATA DGR qualifications in advance, and inform them of the goods’ UN number and hazard class during the inquiry stage.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Do all chemical raw materials require MSDS?
A: Hazardous chemicals must provide MSDS; it is recommended for general chemicals, as it helps with customs clearance and downstream use.

Q2: How to determine if a chemical is a hazardous chemical?
A: You can request the supplier to provide the “Appraisal Report on Transport Conditions of Goods”, which is issued by a professional institution to appraise whether it is hazardous goods; you can also compare it with the Chinese “Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals” or GHS classification standards to judge for yourself.

Q3: Do I need an import license to import chemical raw materials?
A: It depends on the destination country’s regulations. For example, the EU has import restrictions on some Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC); the US requires EPA or TSCA compliance for some chemicals. Be sure to consult the destination country’s regulatory policies before procurement.

Q4: Can hazardous chemicals be shipped as LCL (Less than Container Load)?
A: Some hazardous chemicals allow LCL, but segregation requirements must be met (e.g., oxidizers and reducers cannot be mixed). It is recommended to prioritize FCL (Full Container Load) to reduce the risk of mixed loading.

Q5: How to choose a suitable chemical supplier?
A: Prioritize suppliers who have a hazardous chemical business license, can provide complete MSDS and COA, and have a cooperative attitude towards third-party inspections. You can request references from existing overseas customers.

IX. Conclusion

Importing Chinese chemical raw materials is a highly specialized task, involving qualification audits, HS code classification, packaging and labeling compliance, hazardous goods transportation, quality control, and other aspects. The core advice is: choose qualified suppliers, understand the destination country’s regulatory policies in advance, clarify quality and compliance clauses in the contract, and arrange third-party pre-shipment inspection.

LiiFooRoom has extensive experience in procuring Chinese chemical raw materials and can provide you with one-stop services including supplier qualification audit, HS code consultation, MSDS/COA document review, third-party pre-shipment inspection arrangement, and hazardous goods logistics solution design, making your chemical raw material procurement more efficient and safer.

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