Countries · CN

China: sanctions and trade risk

Re-export routeNamed in UK and US guidance as a re-export route to Russia; EU, UK and US arms embargoes; US export controls on advanced technology.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 1,291 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to China.Lists last checked .

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

China is named in official guidance as a route for re-exports to Russia. Ordinary goods are usually not restricted, but authorities expect you to verify the real end destination and end user, especially for goods on the EU/UK high-priority lists.

Sources: UK — Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for exporters (at-risk jurisdictions list) (12 Mar 2026) · DOJ/Commerce/Treasury Tri-Seal Compliance Note on third-party intermediaries (2 Mar 2023) · eCFR — EAR Supplement No. 1 to Part 740 (Country Groups D:1–D:5) (1 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Check a shipment to China →

By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

RegimeIndicatorWhat applies
UN—No UN sanctions regime.
EUSanctions programmeArms embargo (1989); some Chinese companies are listed for supplying Russia.
Switzerland—No measures against the country itself.
UKRe-export routeArms embargo; 'China, including Hong Kong and Macau' named as at risk of re-export to Russia (Mar 2026).
USRe-export routeArms-embargoed under US export controls (EAR D:5); controls on advanced chips; named in US guidance (Tri-Seal note 2023).

On the sanctions lists

1,291 entries on the official lists name China — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

ListEntries
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)942
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List121
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)106
US OFAC — Consolidated (Non-SDN) Lists76
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)40
UN Security Council Consolidated List6

Latest changes

All updates →

Related

Logistics profile

China: logistics and trade

Global production and export hub, world leader in sea freight

China (CN) is the world's manufacturing and export hub and the global leader in ocean freight; as the largest exporter it links Asia's production clusters with markets in Europe and the Americas. Customs clearance runs electronically through the China Single Window under the General Administration of Customs (GACC); import VAT is 13 percent at the standard rate (reduced rate 9 percent, new VAT law since 1 January 2026), and FTAs such as RCEP and the China–Switzerland agreement apply. The main gateways are the container ports of Shanghai (the world's largest), Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen and Qingdao, and the cargo airports Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN) and Shenzhen (SZX). Inland, the national expressway network and the China-Europe rail express via Alashankou and Khorgos (around 20,000 trains per year) connect the Yangtze Delta, Pearl River Delta and Bohai Bay regions with Central Asia and Europe; the Yangtze serves as an inland waterway up to Chongqing. Key exports are electronics, machinery, vehicles, textiles and e-commerce shipments; the main trading partners are the USA, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Germany.

Capital
Beijing
Population
1,410,000,000
Area
9,596,961 km²
Currency
Renminbi Yuan (CNY)
Continent
Asia
Region
Asia / Greater China
Economic area
WTO / RCEP
Religions
Atheists, Buddhism, Daoism
Access to the sea
Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Rail · Road · Inland waterway

Current situation
Export controls remain the main topic: the licensing regime for rare earth magnets is fully in force; two suspended control tracks resume on 10.11. and 27.11.2026 respectively. Since 1.7.2026 a reporting mechanism for violations applies with stricter enforcement (including entity listings of US and Japanese companies, arrests in Dalian). Frontloading before the US tariff changes (24.7.2026) increases utilization and waiting times in Shanghai and other ports; watch the typhoon season until September. (Status 2026-07-20)
Seasonal conditions
Typhoon season July to September on the south and east coasts may disrupt ports and air traffic. Chinese New Year slows production and logistics.

Main seaports

  • Shanghai

    Shanghai (CNSGH): world's busiest box port, 55.06M TEU in 2025. Yangshan, Waigaoqiao and Wusong terminals; reefer, transshipment, Yangtze hinterland.

  • Ningbo

    Ningbo-Zhoushan (CNNBO): world's busiest port by tonnage, ~39.3M TEU in 2024. Containers, oil, ore and chemicals in the Yangtze Delta. Alternatives: Shanghai, Shenzhen.

  • Zhoushan

    Zhoushan (CN ZOS): deepwater bulk and tanker transhipment port within Ningbo-Zhoushan, world's largest by tonnage. Containers via Ningbo/Beilun.

  • Qingdao Gang

    Qingdao (CN QIN): China's fourth-busiest port, about 30.87M TEU in 2025, over 700M tonnes. Containers, iron ore, crude oil, free-trade zone – north China's gateway.

  • Guangzhou

    Guangzhou (CN GGZ): a top-ten global container port handling ~27M TEU in 2025, anchored by the automated Nansha terminals.

  • Tianjin Xin Gang

    Tianjin Xin Gang (CN TXG): northern China's top container port, 23.28m TEU in 2024. Containers, bulk, RoRo, customs and rail links to Central Asia.

Main cargo airports

  • Shanghai Pudong International AirportPVG

    Shanghai Pudong (PVG/ZSPD) handled 4.1m tonnes in 2025, second worldwide. China Cargo, FedEx and UPS freighters, free trade zone, Yangtze Delta trucking links.

  • Guangzhou Baiyun International AirportCAN

    Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) handled ~2.44m tonnes of cargo in 2025, back in the world's top 10. New Cargo Terminal 3 and 14 routes added since 2026. FedEx's Asia hub.

  • Shenzhen Bao'an International AirportSZX

    Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX): 2.05 million t of cargo in 2025 (+9%, record), UPS Asia-Pacific hub, FedEx, SF Airlines, 1M+ t international freight.

  • Beijing Capital International AirportPEK

    Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): about 1.55M tonnes of cargo in 2025 (+7.5%), main base of Air China Cargo, 70.7M passengers, linked to Tianjin port.

Road corridors

  • National expressway network (G expressways)
  • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Rail corridors

  • China-Europe freight train (New Eurasian Land Bridge)
  • Alashankou / Horgos (Xinjiang)
  • Middle corridor via Central Asia

Inland ports

  • Chongqing (Yangtze)
  • Wuhan (Yangtze)
  • Nanjing (Yangtze)

Main trade lanes

  • China - USA
  • China - EU
  • China - ASEAN
  • Transpacific
  • China - Europe (rail)

Customs and import

Customs authority General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)Official website ↗

Import customs system
Electronic customs declaration via the China Single Window under the GACC (integrated customs and quarantine inspection CIQ). Foreign companies for food must register via CIFER.
Export customs system
Export handling also via the China Single Window. Export declaration with the GACC; controlled goods require a MOFCOM license.
Import VAT
Import value added tax (VAT) standard rate 13 percent, reduced rate 9 percent for certain goods. Assessed on CIF value plus duty. New VAT law since 1.1.2026.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements
China uses FTAs such as RCEP, ASEAN-China and the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement. Proof of origin via the Certificate of Origin issued by the authorized body, valid 12 months.
Restricted and prohibited goods
Import bans or restrictions, including for waste, certain agricultural products, publications and weapons, among others. Many products require CCC certification.

Typical import documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of lading / air waybill (B/L, AWB)
  • Certificate of origin
  • Import license (if required)
  • CIQ / quarantine certificates

Typical export documents

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Export declaration
  • Bill of lading / air waybill (B/L, AWB)
  • Certificate of origin
  • Export license (controlled goods)

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity
High
Customs delays
Medium
Port congestion
Medium
Dangerous goods relevance
High
Pharma and cold chain relevance
Medium to high
E-commerce relevance
Very high

Trade

Top import goods

  • Mineral oils
  • Semiconductors
  • Iron ore
  • Machinery
  • Agricultural products

Top export goods

  • Electronics
  • Machinery
  • Vehicles
  • Textiles
  • Chemicals

Typical cargo

  • Electronics
  • Machinery
  • Consumer goods
  • Textiles
  • Chemicals
  • E-commerce shipments

Upcoming public holidays

  • New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
  • Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
  • National Day (Golden Week)Fri, 1 Oct 2027 · businesses closed

Latest logistics news

Logistics questions

Which documents do I need for importing into China?

Typically required are a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a certificate of origin. Depending on the goods, import licenses, CCC certificates or CIQ / quarantine certificates may also be required. Declarations are made electronically via the China Single Window.

What is the import VAT in China?

The standard import VAT rate is 13 percent; a reduced rate of 9 percent applies to certain goods. The tax base is the CIF value plus duty. The new Chinese VAT law has applied since 1.1.2026.

Which customs authority is responsible in China?

The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) is responsible. It combines customs and quarantine inspections (CIQ) and handles imports and exports via the China Single Window.

Which are the most important seaports in China?

Shanghai is the world's largest container port (around 51,5 million TEU in 2024), followed by Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen and Qingdao. China hosts several of the world's ten largest container ports.

Is there a rail connection from China to Europe?

Yes, the China-Europe freight train connects over 100 Chinese cities with Europe, mainly via the Alashankou and Horgos border crossings in Xinjiang. In 2025 around 20'000 trains ran; rail complements sea and air freight.

Which export controls must I observe for deliveries from China?

Since the Export Control Law of 1.12.2020, dual-use goods require a MOFCOM license. Since 2025, stricter controls apply to rare earths, magnets and semiconductor technology; some measures are temporarily suspended.

Does Switzerland benefit from a free trade agreement with China?

Yes. The China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement has been in force since 2014 and lowers duties for many goods. Preferences require a valid Certificate of Origin issued by the authorized body, which is valid for 12 months.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗

Freight Academy

Powered by Freight Academy. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.

Indicator: the route rules of the Sanctioni check, curated from the published sanctions programmes of the UN, EU, UK, Switzerland and the US. Entries: the live version of each list (data sources), updated every 6 hours.

A preliminary screening aid — not legal advice and not a compliance clearance. The official publication of the competent authority prevails.

← All countries