Opening: When Jingdezhen Meets Los Angeles Customs

Last week, I just handled a case of returned bone china tableware shipped to the U.S.—the client mistakenly declared melamine tableware as bone china, which led to failure during FDA inspection. As a "veteran trader" with 20 years of experience, I want to use this guide to help you avoid the "pitfalls" of exporting ceramic tableware, ensuring your porcelain's journey overseas is as smooth and flawless as premium blue-and-white porcelain.

I. Porcelain or Pottery?Classification of CustomsThe "Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze" in it

At last year's Canton Fair, a customer showed me a sample and asked, "This tableware is so white and shiny, it must be porcelain, right?" But when scratched with a steel knife, the truth was revealed—it was a typical melamine ware. Customs classification doesn't rely on "appearance"; the key lies in these characteristics:

• Three Essential Elements of True Porcelain:Vitrified texture, scratch-resistant to steel knives, translucent cross-section
• Special Markers of Bone China:Contains calcium phosphate (bone ash), secondary low-temperature glazing
• Tell-Tale Signs of Melamine Ware:Coarse-grained cross-section, porous under glaze, scratchable by steel knives

There was once a company that mistakenly classified stoneware under heading 69.11 (porcelain products). During a customs inspection, the officer conducted an on-the-spot "sound test"—genuine porcelain produces a clear, bell-like chime when struck, whereas stoneware emits a dull, earthenware-like thud. This little trick has stuck with me ever since.

II. The "Three Gates" of Export Supervision

Although China has no mandatory inspection for ceramic tableware, requirements vary by destination country like different tea preferences:

• US FDA Certification:Lead and cadmium migration tests are mandatory, with new 2022 rules requiring microwave suitability labeling
• EU Regulation 1935/2004:Requires EN 1388-1/2 heavy metal leaching tests
• Japan JFSL Standard:Particularly focuses on lead content in glazes, requiring sintering temperature curves

Three Recommended Preparations:Allow sufficient certification time (typically 4-6 weeks), prepare blank samples, confirm sintering process documentation. Last year, a Foshan company had a full container detained at Rotterdam Port due to missing kiln temperature records.

III. "Pitfall-Filling Guide" for Declaration Elements

In the recently updated Standard Declaration Catalog by Customs, pay special attention to these details for ceramic tableware declarations:

• Material Description:Avoid vague terms like "high-grade porcelain" and directly specify "bone china/hard porcelain/stoneware".
• Usage Specification:Please distinguish between "tableware/kitchenware/decorative items." Last year, a batch of goods was subject to anti-dumping duties because they were declared as "decorative plates."
• Brand Declaration:OEM products must also be labeled as "No Brand" rather than left blank.

Specifically reminded:For tableware with intricate bottom patterns, if decorative features clearly outweigh functionality (e.g., decorative area exceeds 50%), remember to classify under 69.13. Otherwise, you might face a 12% duty supplement like a Chaozhou company did due to misclassification.

IV. Case Study: From Returned Goods to Bestsellers

Last year, we assisted a Dehua-based company in handling a typical case: their underglaze tableware was returned by the U.S. due to excessive lead content. We resolved the issue through three steps:

1. Switched to lead-free glaze formula, retested with newly fired samples
2. Obtained FDA compliance certification from SGS
3. Please indicate "lead-free underglaze technique" when declaring.

As a result, this batch of goods not only cleared customs smoothly but also received a 10% price premium due to its eco-friendly attributes. Now, this company regularly ships 3 high cubes per quarter and has become a stable supplier for Walmart.

Epilogue: The "Secret Guide" to Exporting Porcelain

Remember this rhyme:"Identify materials by examining cross-sections, Certification must precede production, Scrutinize declaration details meticulously, Antique artifacts over a century old are assessed separately."Exporting ceramic tableware is like firing a kiln—every step requires precise temperature control. If you encounter any specific issues, feel free to send photos of the samples along with the process description, and I’ll help you conduct a "pre-inspection"—it’s far more convenient than dealing with returns afterward.

Finally, here's a "Foreign Trade Survival Kit" for you:Export to the United StatesFor ceramic tableware, its recommended to conduct microwave suitability tests in advanceAmong Amazons top 10 delisted tableware products last year, 7 failed due to this hidden requirement.