I. What is Express Customs Clearance?
Express customs clearance refers to a simplified customs clearance model for non-commercial inbound and outbound express shipments within a specific scope, covering declaration, inspection, and release. It applies to low-value, non-commercial goods carried by courier companies (DHL, FedEx, UPS, EMS, SF International, etc.).
The core feature of express customs clearance is simplified declaration — based on waybill information, without the need to fill out a complete import/export customs declaration form, significantly reducing clearance time.
II. KJ Classification System
According to the "Customs Supervision Measures for Inbound and Outbound Express Shipments," express shipments are divided into three categories based on the nature and value of the goods:
| Category | Code | Applicable Goods | Value Limit | Declaration Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | KJ1 | Documents | N/A | Master waybill declaration |
| Category 2 | KJ2 | Personal items | RMB 1,000 | Simplified declaration |
| Category 3 | KJ3 | Low-value goods | RMB 5,000 | Simplified declaration |
2.1 KJ1: Document-Type Express Shipments
- Applicable items: Business documents, contracts, certificates, letters of credit, bank bills, etc.
- Value: No monetary limit
- Declaration method: Courier companies declare based on master waybill information to customs
- Tariffs: Duty-free
- Inspection and quarantine: Exempt (excluding items with plant/animal quarantine risks)
Typical scenarios: - Sending business contracts to overseas clients - Sending customs declaration documents to partners - Exchange of financial documents such as bank letters of credit
2.2 KJ2: Personal Item Express Shipments
- Applicable items: Personal-use items, holiday gifts, gifts between friends and family
- Value limit: RMB 1,000 (RMB 800 for residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan)
- Declaration method: Simplified declaration (waybill + brief item description)
- Tariffs: Subject to postal parcel tariff rates (three tiers: 13%, 20%, 50%), exempt if duty ≤ RMB 50
Typical scenarios: - Gifts sent by overseas relatives/friends - Personal-use items purchased online (non-cross-border e-commerce channels) - Personal items sent back by overseas workers
Note: The key difference between KJ2 and the cross-border e-commerce 1210 model — KJ2 is a personal parcel postal channel using postal tariff rates; 1210 is a cross-border e-commerce channel using integrated cross-border tax rates. The two cannot be used interchangeably.
2.3 KJ3: Low-Value Goods Express Shipments
- Applicable items: Commercial samples, advertising materials, small low-value goods
- Value limit: RMB 5,000
- Declaration method: Simplified declaration (copy of commercial invoice required)
- Tariffs: Subject to general goods tariff rates, exempt if duty ≤ RMB 50
- Regulatory conditions: Excludes goods requiring licenses, statutory inspection, or 3C certification
Typical scenarios: - Samples sent to overseas clients - Exhibits for international trade shows - Advertising materials (brochures, flyers)
III. Express Customs Clearance Process
① Courier collects shipment → ② Waybill info entry → ③ Electronic declaration → ④ Customs review & release (automated) → ⑤ Inspection (if applicable) → ⑥ Release & delivery
| Step | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Collection | Instant | Courier receives shipment and enters waybill information |
| Electronic declaration | Instant | Courier sends waybill-level electronic data to customs |
| Customs review & release | 1-2 hours | Automated system review, minimal manual intervention |
| Inspection | 1-2 days | Only for cases flagged by system or risk assessment |
| Release & delivery | Instant | Courier arranges delivery after release |
IV. Restrictions and Prohibitions for Express Customs Clearance
4.1 Ineligible Goods
The following goods cannot use the express customs clearance channel:
| Restriction Category | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Value exceeded | Goods valued over RMB 5,000 (KJ3) or RMB 1,000 (KJ2) |
| License-controlled goods | Goods requiring import/export licenses (e.g., dual-use items, certain pharmaceuticals) |
| Statutory inspection goods | Goods requiring statutory inspection (some foods, cosmetics, plant/animal products) |
| 3C-certification goods | Electrical and electronic products requiring CCC certification |
| Prohibited items | Weapons, drugs, cultural relics, and other contraband |
| Bulk commercial goods | Goods clearly intended for commercial sale rather than samples/personal use |
4.2 Common Violations
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Misdeclaration of product name (declaring commercial goods as samples) | Customs penalties, credit downgrade |
| Split declarations (splitting large-value goods into multiple express shipments) | Deemed as tax evasion |
| Under-declaration of value | Back taxes + fines |
V. Choosing Between Express Clearance and Other Declaration Methods
5.1 Which Scenarios Use Express Clearance?
| Scenario | Recommended Declaration Method |
|---|---|
| Sending business documents | KJ1 Express (first choice) |
| Sending samples valued < RMB 5,000 | KJ3 Express (most convenient) |
| Personal-use items (< RMB 1,000) | KJ2 Express |
| Samples valued > RMB 5,000 | General trade (cannot use express) |
| Bulk export goods | General trade or cross-border e-commerce |
5.2 Advantages of Express Clearance
- Fast clearance: Customs release in 1-2 hours, compared to 0.5-2 days for general trade
- Simplified procedures: No need for complete customs declaration forms and contracts; waybill-level declaration
- Low cost: No customs broker fees; handled by courier companies
5.3 Disadvantages of Express Clearance
- No tax refund: Export tax rebates are not available through the express channel
- No foreign exchange settlement: Cannot be included in trade foreign exchange receipts
- Value limits: RMB 5,000 / RMB 1,000 caps
- Product restrictions: Goods with complex regulatory requirements cannot use this channel
VI. Practical Recommendations
- Confirm restrictions in advance: Check with the courier company before shipping to ensure the goods meet express clearance conditions
- Declare truthfully: Clear product names, accurate values (no under-declaration)
- Keep invoices: Even for express shipments, it is recommended to keep commercial invoices for reference
- Watch for statutory inspection: Goods subject to statutory inspection cannot use the express channel regardless of value
- Alternative solutions: For commercial samples beyond express limits, consider general trade or 9610 (cross-border e-commerce)
If you have any questions about express customs clearance, feel free to consult Bofeng Logistics. We can provide advice on customs declaration method selection and handle formal customs clearance for shipments beyond express limits.
📖 Next: 2.5 How to Choose a Customs Declaration Method — Decision flowchart to scientifically select based on value/volume/platform dimensions
Bofeng Logistics specializes in domestic/international container shipping, Hong Kong/Macau logistics services, and value-added services (trucking, customs brokerage, warehousing, insurance).
Customs brokerage service areas: Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.
📞 Contact: 13075678958 | Email: info@zhbfwl.com
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