The Camping Economy is Booming: Key "Passwords" for Import Customs Clearance You Need to Know

As a 20 - year veteran in foreign trade, I have witnessed the whole process of the Chinese camping market from germination to explosion. In 2023, the scale of Chinas camping economy has exceeded 200 billion yuan, with an annual growth rate remaining above 30%. But many new importers often...Incorrect commodity classificationCausing customs clearance delays, today I will use the perspective of a "veteran customs declarer" to help everyone decode these camping equipment issues.Classification of CustomsCodes.

Tents and Canopies: The Identification of an Outdoor Little Home

I remember last year a client mistakenly declared cotton tents as "canvas products," which resulted in a two-week delay due to customs inspection. In reality:

• The material determines the HS code: Synthetic fiber products fall under 6306.2200, and cotton products fall under 6306.2910
• Function does not affect classificationWhether it's UV protection or rainstorm resistance, both fall under the category of "camping tents."
• Special Reminders: Tents with metal supports are still classified as textile products, and the supports are not taxed separately

The "Metamorphosis" of Folding Chairs: Seating or Furniture?

Last year, a cross-border e-commerce company declared an aluminum moon chair as an "aluminum product" and had the order returned, resulting in a loss of over ten thousand yuan in shipping costs. The key point lies in:

• Regardless of whether it can be folded or not, as long as it hasthe function of a seatit is classified under Chapter 94
• Wooden (9401.6900) and aluminum (9401.7900) bothenjoy zero tariffs
• Trouble-avoidance guidelines: Fishing chairs with insulated boxes are still classified as seats

The "Thousand-Layer Tricks" of the Egg Roll Table

This product with a cute name has puzzled many novice customs declarants:

• Three materials, three HS codes:Aluminum: 9403.2000andWooden: 9403.6099andPlastic: 9403.7000
• Key features: It must have a foldable egg - roll - style tabletop structure
• Practical case: A certain brand declared a bamboo tabletop as a wooden product, and due todifferences in material identificationtax supplements were generated

The Temperature Economics of Sleeping Bags

Down sleeping bags and chemical fiber sleeping bags look similar, but their tariffs are quite different:

• Down - filled (9404.3010)The tax rate is 10%, and chemical fiber - filled (9404.3090) also has a 10% tax rate
• Declaration key points: The composition ratio of the filling material must be indicated (such as 80% white goose down)
• Industry trends: This year, the customs has strengthenedCertificate of Origin for Downverified

The "Law of Light" for camping lamps

This product, often mistaken for a "home appliance," actually has its own dedicated channel:

• Classified into 8513.1090 (tax rate 6%), which is completely different from household table lampsCompletely different
• Essential conditions: Self - powered (battery/accumulator), portable
• New products: Solar camping lights are still classified under this number

The "Wheel Philosophy" of Camping Wagons

The seemingly simple trolley requires attention during classification:

• Unpowered trolleys are uniformly classified into 8716.8000 (tax rate 6%)
• Structural features: Metal frame + canvas cart bin + 4 - wheel design
• Red - line warning: Those with motors must be classified according toMotor vehiclesClassification

Three Golden Suggestions for Importers

Based on the hundreds of camping equipment import cases Ive handled, Ive summarized:

• Pre - classification in advance: New products must apply for customs pre - ruling
• Material Certificate: Require suppliers to provide detailed ingredient test reports
• Dynamic tracking: Pay attention to tax rate changes under free trade agreements such as RCEP

Finally, a reminder to all our peers: with the launch of the customs' "Smart Classification" system, product descriptions must be moreProfessional and standardized.For example, a "Kermit chair" should be declared as an "aluminum folding camping chair," not just an "outdoor chair." Mastering these classification codes ensures our camping gear clears customs smoothly and seizes market opportunities ahead of competitors.