Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The U.S. government provides a database that U.S. exporters may use to identify import tariffs applied by nearly 50 countries. China's tariff rates may also be found on the Department of Commerce's Market Access and Compliance Tariff Schedule.

Q: What method of payment is recommended for exports to China?

The most secure method of payment is letter of credit confirmed by a U.S. bank.
Although the Bank of China dominates China's trade-finance business, most Chinese commercial banks have the authority to issue letters of credit for imports. These include China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China and CITIC Industrial Bank. Foreign banks with branch or representative offices in China can also issue letters of credit. Other common forms of payment are less secure. Learn more about methods of payment used in international commercial transactions.

Q: Where are some of the "warning" signs of a Chinese scam?

Click here for a list of seven warning signs of a Chinese scam. The existence of one or more of these items does not an necessarily indicate that a scam in fact exists. However, if you are confronted by one of these items, please contact your local trade specialist before proceeding further. Lastly, the following article lays out some common sense steps to take to protect yourself from a potential scam: Exporter Alert: Suspicious Chinese Business Practices.

Q: Where can I find trade statistics?

The U.S. Commerce Department provides a trade statistics database that may be searched by industry sector or country of destination. The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database and the USITC Internative Tariff and Trade Database are also very useful tools in searchng for trade statistics. The National Bureau of Statistics of China is the authoritative source of trade statistics collected by the Chinese Government. Click here to go to the Chinese language website.

Q: Where can I find information on the business visa process for visitors who wish to come to the U.S.?

Please contact the State Department's Business Visa Center at (202) 663-3198.

Q: How can I identify a prospective Chinese buyer or sales agent?

The U.S. Commercial Service provides a service that can help new to market companies identify a prospective Chinese buyer or sales agent. Learn more about the International Partner Search service.

Q: How can I check the background of a Chinese company?

Undertaking a due diligence investigation prior to engaging in a trade transaction can minimize risk of encountering commercial disputes. The U.S. Commercial Service provides a service to conduct a preliminary background check. Learn more about the International Company Profile service. The U.S. Commercial Service can also refer your company to other service providers in China.

Q: How can I identify the best trade shows in China?

Each year hundreds of trade shows are held throughout China. Visit http://www.buyusa.gov/china/en/tradeshows.html to identify trade shows that are supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce in China, or view other trade shows featured at the bottom of our industry sector overviews.

Q: How can I determine the best export prospects for China?

The U.S. Commercial Service identifies best U.S. export prospects on an annual basis. Visit the China BIC's Industry Information Page to review reports on the leading industrial sectors. The page also allows the exporter to search the U.S. Commercial Service's market research library, identify trade leads, and highlights events. Companies interested in identifying best prospects for agricultural exports may also use this page to reach best prospects identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. exporter may also review Chapter 4 (i.e., Leading Sectors for U.S. Export and Investment) of the 2007 Country Commercial Guide for China.

Q: How can the U.S. government help my company compete for major projects in China?

Your firm can reap the most benefit from contact with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Advocacy Center at the earliest stages of a project. Early expressions of interest by an overseas government ministry or agency, followed by your company's expressions of interest, often help shape the tender specifications and can improve your chances of winning a tender. When your efforts are combined with U.S. Government advocacy, the prospects of winning improve even more! Learn more about the Advocacy Center can help your company level the playing field.

Q: How can I find business service providers in China?

China's system for regulation of foreign commercial activity is difficult to navigate and non-transparent. Companies new to market are strongly encouraged to retain professional services to structure commercial transactions. U.S. exporters may locate an extensive list of American business service providers in China by referring to the back section of Contact China a useful guide to exploring export opportunities in China. The guide is published each year by the U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service. Locate other Western and Chinese service providers.

Q: How do I protect my company's intellectual property rights in China?

In spite of progress towards improving its intellectual property legal and regulatory regime, China continues to be a challenging environment for IPR protection and enforcement. To learn more about how your company can protect its intellectual property in China, visit our China IPR Resources page: http://www.stopfakes.gov/pdf/ChinaIPR_flyer.pdf.

Q: How can the U.S. Government help me resolve a commercial dispute?

The role of the U.S. government in resolving commercial disputes is to assist companies navigate the Chinese legal system, provide a list of local attorneys, and share basic information on potentially applicable trade agreements and Chinese business practices. The U.S. government is not authorized to provide legal advice. American companies that have disputes with private Chinese firms often request U.S. Government intervention with Chinese authorities on their behalf. Such intervention is rarely appropriate unless the company has exhausted all remedies under China's legal system. Learn more about resolving commercial disputes in China.

Q: How do I set up a representative office in China?

Establishment of a representative office has become the most common means of establishing a long-term presence in China. Chinese law restricts the scope of activity undertaken by such offices to "indirect business activity." A representative office may act as a liaison with Chinese contacts, implement contracts signed outside China by the home office, and undertake market research. Such offices may not engage in trade, receive fees for service, sign contracts or directly generate income. Click here to learn more about setting up a representative office in China. Identify a Commercial Service office in China to learn about the registration process.

Q: Where can I find information on evaluating locations to set up an office or manufacturing facility?

Development zones in Eastern China are a first consideration for many US businesses. These zones focus on different industries, often have preferential tax policies, solid infrastructure and various services geered toward foreign firms. Many business service providers, both Western and Chinese, provide detailed site analysis assistance.

Q: How can the U.S. Commerce Department help a Chinese citizen obtain a visa to visit the U.S. for business purposes?

The Commerce Department has no official role in the visa application process. Commercial officers do not have authority to re-schedule visa appointments, provide letters of referral, pass documents to the Consular Section, expedite visa application review, or inquire about the basis of visa referral. Check here for guidance provided by the State Department on the visa application process.

Please note that a Business Visa Center is now available to assist Ameican businesses in understanding the visa process when they invite employees or current and prospective business clients and partners to the United States.

Q: How do I apply for a visa to visit China for business purposes?

View guidance provided by the Chinese government on its visa application process.

Q: How can I get U.S. government assistance in resolving trade barriers or unfair trade practices I've encountered in China?

The Trade Compliance Center is the U.S. Government's focal point for monitoring foreign compliance with trade agreements to see that U.S. firms and workers get the maximum benefits from these agreements. The TCC is your one-stop shop for getting U.S. government assistance in resolving the trade barriers or unfair trade practices you encounter in foreign markets. You may report a foreign trade barrier directly on-line by using the Trade Complaint Hotline

How can I participate in an antidumping investigation initiated by a Chinese company in China?

Click here for a current list of Chinese antidumping and countervailing duty cases involving US-origin products. Typically, a party has twenty days from the date of MOFCOM's notice of initiation to register separately with both BOFT and IBII to participate in the investigation. Registration forms are normally available on MOFCOM's website, but must be submitted by a PRC lawyer or law firm. After registration, a company will be able to participate in the investigation by answering questionnaires, providing legal arguments, appearing at hearings, and so forth. If a producer or exporter of the subject merchandise does not register, it may be precluded from participating in the investigation and is likely to receive an adverse outcome. The Trade Facilitation Office at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing is staffed with Import Administration professionals that can answer more questions.

Symbol indicates a non-U.S. Government site

	Privacy Policy \| USA.gov \| Contact Us \| 1-800-USA-TRADE Disclaimer \| Download Adobe Acrobat