- Site
- Asia-Pacific
- Mark / regulation
- 2
- Market
- China
01Entering This Market
Entering China begins with determining whether your product is on the scope list (the CCC catalogue). Products on the catalogue cannot be imported, sold or used without a CCC certificate. What distinguishes CCC from other regimes is that, in addition to type testing, factory inspection and annual follow-up inspection are mandatory.
02Background to the Regime
China's conformity regime differs from the EU and the United States on one fundamental point: here control comes BEFORE placing on the market and a state institution actually approves the product. A product within the scope of compulsory certification cannot be imported or sold without its certificate. There is no route resting on manufacturer declaration.
The second defining feature of the regime is FACTORY INSPECTION. Certification depends not only on testing the product but also on inspecting the facility that makes it. The initial inspection takes place before the certificate is issued and follow-up inspections continue throughout its validity. This makes a change of place of manufacture a matter for reassessment rather than a simple information update.
The third feature is that testing is, as a rule, carried out WITHIN THE COUNTRY in authorised laboratories. Acceptance of foreign reports is limited; this is the main item determining sample shipment and the timetable. Getting the sample through customs, delivering it to the laboratory and waiting in the laboratory queue make up most of the schedule.
The scope list is defined by product category and is updated regularly: products removed from the scope can move to a self-declaration route while new categories may be added. The question "is this product in scope" is therefore confirmed against the list in force at the start of every project; acting on out-of-date scope information is the most expensive mistake.
The certification application runs through a party established in the country. The applicant may be the manufacturer, the importer or the seller; but in whose name the certificate is issued is commercially decisive, because the certificate holder controls the product in the market.
03Acceptance of Foreign Test Reports and Documents
- Testing is as a rule carried out in authorised laboratories within the country; acceptance of foreign reports is limited and varies by category.
- A CB Scheme report can reduce the testing burden in some categories but does not replace the testing as a whole.
- Factory inspection cannot be substituted by any report; a change of place of manufacture requires reassessment.
- The certificate is issued in the name of an applicant established in the country; because certificate ownership determines control in the market, it must be dealt with explicitly in the contract.
- For medical devices a separate registration and approval route applies; general compulsory certification does not take its place.
04Defining Features of the Regime
- Certification is mandatory for products on the CCC catalogue, with narrow exceptions
- The process has three steps: type testing, initial factory inspection, certificate; followed by annual follow-up inspection
- Tests are conducted at authorized laboratories in China; sample shipping is a significant item in the timeline
- The applied standards are GB (Chinese national) standards
- Any change to a critical component, design or manufacturing location must be reported
- Medical devices and pharmaceuticals are subject to a separate regime (NMPA)
05Local Representative and Responsible Party
A CCC application can be made in the manufacturer's name, but using a China-based application agent is common and practically necessary for communication and inspection coordination. For medical device and pharmaceutical registrations under NMPA, a China-based legal representative is MANDATORY, and the licence is processed through this representative.
07Entry Process
- 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
- 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
- 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
- 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
- 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
- 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
- 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
- 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.
08Customs and Labelling
- The CCC mark is printed with permission and appears on the product
- A Chinese-language label and user manual are required
- Customs checks the CCC certificate and its consistency with the product
- For products claimed to be out of scope, an exemption document may be requested
- The energy efficiency label (CEL) additionally applies to products within its scope
09Common Mistakes
- Failing to correctly determine whether the product is on the CCC catalogue
- Not including the factory inspection in the timeline
- Not reporting a critical component change — this can invalidate the certificate
- Assuming foreign test reports will be accepted
- Underestimating the NMPA registration timeline; the process for medical devices is lengthy
10Calendar
The certification timeline varies with the product, the required test workload, sample shipping time and the authority's workload; for this reason, no duration in days or weeks is given on these pages. The main factors determining the timeline are: whether testing must be performed in the target country, whether a factory audit is required, the time to appoint a local representative, and the current maturity of the technical file. A realistic timeline for your product is provided in writing at the quote stage.
Market access regimes change frequently: scope lists are updated, transition periods are extended, new requirements are added. These pages describe the structure of the regime and who bears the obligation; the applicable scope and dates for your product are confirmed from the current legislative text at the quote stage.
11Frequently Asked Questions
Is factory inspection unavoidable for CCC?
As a rule, yes. CCC requires the production site to be audited and regular follow-up audits, in addition to type testing. This is the fundamental feature distinguishing CCC from purely test-based regimes.
What should I do if my product is not in the catalogue?
It may be necessary to demonstrate that it is out of scope; customs authorities in some cases require an exemption declaration or an out-of-scope document. Scope determination is made based on the customs tariff heading and product description.
China roadmap for
Tell us about your product; we'll share the required steps, documents and timeline in writing.