VAT & Customs Duties: A Quick Guide for Professionals Importing Funeral Monuments from China

Importing funeral monuments from China offers significant cost advantages, but understanding VAT (Value Added Tax) and customs duties is essential to avoid unexpected costs and delays. This quick guide explains the key points every professional importer should know.

1. Customs Duties on Funeral Monuments

Funeral monuments made of granite or marble generally fall under natural stone customs codes.

• Customs duty rate: usually 0% to 6%, depending on the destination country and HS code

• Granite products are often subject to low or zero import duties in many markets

• Customs duties are calculated on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight)

 Always confirm the HS code with your customs broker to ensure accuracy.

2. VAT on Imported Funeral Monuments

VAT is payable at the time of import and is calculated on:

• Product value

• Shipping and insurance costs

• Customs duties (if applicable)

For example:

VAT = (Product value + Freight + Insurance + Customs duties) × Local VAT rate

In most countries:

• Import VAT can be recovered or deducted if the importer is VAT-registered

• VAT is therefore cash flow–neutral for professional buyers

3. Required Import Documentation

To clear customs smoothly, the following documents are required:

•  Commercial invoice

•  Packing list

•  Bill of Lading

•  Product description and HS code

•  Certificate of origin (when required)

Accurate documentation helps avoid delays and additional inspections.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

 Incorrect HS code classification
 Under-declared product value
 Missing or inconsistent documents
 Poor coordination with freight forwarders

These errors can lead to penalties, storage fees, or shipment delays.

5. How Direct Import Reduces Costs

By importing directly from China:

• You avoid multiple intermediaries

• You benefit from factory-direct pricing

• Total costs can be reduced by 30–45% compared to local sourcing

6. Our Support at Guangdong Ruiwei Import & Export Co., Ltd

At Guangdong Ruiwei Import & Export Co., Ltd, we assist our clients with:

• HS code classification support

• Complete export documentation

• Secure packaging and compliant shipping

• Transparent pricing (FOB, CIF, or DDP options)

Key Takeaway

Understanding VAT and customs duties allows funeral professionals to:

• Control import costs

• Improve pricing competitiveness

• Import with confidence and compliance

Discover our granite funeral monuments and import solutions:
www.granitmonuments.com

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