How to export books from the UK to China

Books and educational publications need a licensed importer

Publication imports are restricted to licensed publication import businesses. Other businesses and individuals may not undertake that activity. For books under HS 490110, 490191 and 490199, identify a licensed import business before agreeing a shipment; a distributor’s interest alone does not show that it can import publications. For newspapers, see our guide to exporting UK newspapers to China.

HMRC recorded £30.2m of UK goods exports to mainland China under HS 490110, 490191, 490199 in 2025 (2024: £31.8m, -5.2%). Exports to Hong Kong under the same codes were £9.9m. January to July 2026: £16.3m against £16.4m in the same months of 2025 (-0.6%).

Zero duty still leaves import VAT

Each Chinese tariff line below has an MFN rate of 0%. Imported books attract 9% VAT, calculated on customs value plus customs duty plus any applicable consumption tax. The importer’s customs adviser confirms whether consumption tax applies to these books. Border taxes form part of landed cost and therefore shape the price your importer can offer.

Prepare titles for the importer’s filing

The licensed importer must file its proposed title list with the provincial or higher publishing authority before import. Customs will not release titles whose import has been banned or postponed. Allow months, not weeks, for this process; the Chinese authority decides. Your publishing business must prepare accurate title information and retain responsibility for its own applications, while the licensed importer handles the title-list filing.

Classify the books and organise the UK declaration

Classify each shipment against HS 490110, 490191 or 490199. Among the listed book export lines, the largest UK export line to mainland China was 49019900 under HS 490199, at £16.7m in 2025. Exports from England, Scotland or Wales need a GB EORI and an online export declaration. Prepare the value, weight, packaging, destination, transport, invoice and packing-list references; give the carrier the invoice and any required export licences or certificates.

Cross-border retail covers only part of this range

The cross-border e-commerce retail import list includes 49019900, other books, brochures and similar printed matter. This is a partial listing across the three HS headings, so do not assume that 49011000 or 49019100 can use it. For listed goods entering through bonded 1210 or direct 9610 retail channels, personal-use supervision removes first-import licence, registration and filing requirements, subject to the notice’s epidemic-area and emergency-risk exceptions.

This retail route cannot supply books for resale: consumers must accept the personal-use risk notice before ordering. The overseas seller bears the main product quality and safety responsibility and must appoint a mainland-registered company for customs registration, truthful declarations and shared civil liability. Check the proposed retail arrangement with licensed partners before choosing it.

Find and check the Chinese importing partner

Our own staff in China find and check Chinese importers and distributors for UK brands. If an importer has already approached your publishing business, our staff check that company before stock is sent or anything is signed. For books, establish whether the proposed importing partner is a licensed publication import business and who will undertake the title-list filing.

For this category, our help is limited to preparation, finding and checking a Chinese importer, and coordinating licensed partners. We prepare registration and label work with licensed partners in China; regulated importing and cross-border agent roles remain with those partners, and your own filings remain yours. Use our export service to arrange that preparation.