Returning goods to a supplier or business partner in China is a common reality in global B2B trade. Whether you are sending back defective manufacturing components, rejected product samples, or managing a warranty claim, knowing how to efficiently handle the process is crucial. If you do not manage your return shipment properly, your package could be delayed by Chinese customs, or your supplier might face unexpected import taxes. In this guide, we will show you exactly how to manage your return to China, calculate the costs, generate the right shipping labels, and handle the necessary paperwork.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
When businesses look to send a package back to China, the first question is almost always about the shipping costs. International shipping rates are not flat; they depend heavily on the volumetric weight of your shipment, the chosen carrier (such as FedEx, DHL, UPS, or TNT), and the speed of delivery.
To keep your return costs to China under control, you should always measure and weigh your package accurately after it is fully packed. Express delivery usually takes 3 to 5 business days, ensuring your supplier receives the returned goods quickly so you can process your refund or replacement without delay. You can instantly compare rates between premium carriers and find the most cost-effective option using our shipping costs calculator.
In B2B logistics, creating a return label to China is essentially booking an export shipment from your facility to the Chinese supplier's address. You do not need to wait for the Chinese supplier to send you a post office document; you can use a multi-carrier platform to stay in complete control of the logistics.
To create a China return label:
Log into your shipping platform and select an export shipment from your country to China.
Enter the exact dimensions and weight of your parcel or pallet.
Provide the delivery address of your Chinese supplier. Crucial detail: Ensure you have a local contact name and a Chinese phone number, as this is mandatory for Chinese customs.
Print the generated Air Waybill (shipping label) and attach it securely to the outside of the box.
If you frequently ship to China, utilizing a platform like ParcelParcel allows you to generate these labels in seconds with the customs information pre-filled.
The most challenging part of returning goods to China is passing through the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC). China has strict import regulations, even for returned goods.
To ensure your package is processed seamlessly as a return and not taxed as a new commercial import, you must include a properly formatted Commercial Invoice. On this document, you must clearly state:
Reason for Export: Write "Return of defective goods" or "Return to vendor."
RMA Number: Include the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number provided by your Chinese supplier.
Original Tracking/Invoice: Reference the original import document number so customs can verify these items were previously exported from China.
For specific regulatory updates regarding prohibited or restricted items entering the Chinese market, it is always best practice to consult the European Commission's Access2Markets portal or the official GACC guidelines.
When managing B2B returns, you need reliability and speed. At ParcelParcel, we help you navigate the complexities of international logistics. Our platform automatically generates the correct customs documents alongside your shipping label, ensuring your return to China is compliant, fully trackable, and highly cost-effective.
To return a package to China, you need to book an international shipment with a reliable courier (like DHL, FedEx, or UPS), pack the items securely, and provide a Commercial Invoice that clearly states the goods are being returned to the original supplier.
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The return costs to China vary based on the size, weight, and urgency of the shipment. A small, lightweight sample will cost significantly less than a large pallet of defective machinery. Always use a shipping calculator based on volumetric weight to get an accurate price.
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You can easily create a return label for China by booking an export shipment through a shipping platform like ParcelParcel. Once the booking is confirmed, you will instantly receive the Air Waybill (shipping label) via email to print and attach to your package.
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If the Commercial Invoice is correctly filled out—stating "Return of goods" and including the original export reference alongside an RMA number—Chinese customs typically waives import duties. However, incorrect paperwork can lead to standard import taxes being applied to your supplier.
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You will need an international shipping label (Air Waybill) and a detailed Commercial Invoice. It is highly recommended to also include any correspondence or RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) paperwork from your Chinese supplier inside the pouch to prove the nature of the return to customs officials.
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You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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