The factory price is only part of your landed cost. This guide walks through the customs side of importing garment steamers from China — so your first container clears smoothly and your margin holds.
Start with the Right HS Classification
Every import begins with the HS (Harmonized System) code, which determines your duty rate and any compliance checks. Garment steamers and irons generally fall under the household electro-thermic appliance heading (8516 in the international system).
The exact 8–10 digit code varies by destination country, and classification differences can change your duty rate. Confirm the code with a licensed customs broker before shipping — it is a small fee that prevents costly surprises.
Duties, VAT and Other Charges
Customs duty is calculated on the customs value of the goods at the rate applicable to your HS code. Most countries then apply VAT or sales tax on top, and some markets add anti-dumping or regulatory levies for specific appliance categories.
Rates change over time and differ by country, so always verify current figures with your broker or the destination customs authority rather than relying on older published numbers.
Choose the Incoterm That Fits Your Setup
FOB (Free On Board) keeps logistics in your hands: you arrange freight and clearance with your own forwarder, which suits importers with established supply chains.
CIF or CFR add freight and insurance to the supplier's quote. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is the full-service option — the supplier's freight partner handles shipping and customs clearance, and the price covers everything up to your door.
Your choice changes the unit cost comparison, so always compare quotes on the same incoterm.
Compliance Documents to Prepare
Standard export documentation includes the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading. Destination markets also require compliance evidence: CE for the EU, UL/ETL for the US, and market-specific labels and user manuals in local languages.
Working with a certified factory simplifies this — XINGYUE provides CE, RoHS and CB documentation for European markets and ETL for North America, so your clearance file is complete before shipment.
Plan Landed Cost Before You Order
A simple landed-cost formula: unit price + freight per unit + insurance + duties + VAT + inland logistics. Requesting a DDP quote from the supplier gives you the full number in one line.
Then compare against your wholesale or retail price to confirm margin — this is the discipline that separates profitable garment steamer importers from the rest.
Get a DDP Quote and Skip the Guesswork
Ask for a delivered-duty-paid quotation — our export team coordinates freight and clearance through experienced partners so you know your full landed cost up front.