1. The distinction that matters
The vast majority of Chinese exports do not require a licence.
A specific subset does, and the subset is defined by the goods, the destination, or both.
2. The licensing categories
General licence
No application required for most goods.
Restricted
A licence is required and is applied for per transaction.
Prohibited
No export permitted.
3. Where the category is found
The catalogue of goods subject to export licensing, maintained by the commerce authorities and customs.
The catalogue is revised annually and sometimes more often.
4. The destination-based restrictions
Some goods are unrestricted in general but restricted to specific destinations.
Some destinations are restricted regardless of the general position.
5. The goods most affected
Dual-use items and technologies.
Certain raw materials.
Certain agricultural products.
Cultural relics.
Endangered species products.
6. Why exporters get it wrong
Because the question is answered by habit rather than by checking the catalogue.
A company has exported a product for years, the catalogue changes, and the licence requirement appears.
7. A scenario
An exporter of industrial equipment shipped a component that had been unrestricted.
The component was added to the dual-use list in a revision.
The export declaration was rejected at the port and the consignment returned to the factory while the licence application was prepared.
8. What to do
Check the catalogue annually.
Check it before every first shipment of a new product.
Confirm the HS code, because the catalogue is code-based.
9. Closing view
The licence question is answered by a lookup, not by experience.
Experience is how exporters miss the revision.
*This article is based on China’s export licensing regime and the catalogue of goods subject to export licensing.*