Importing from China is the backbone of thousands of Canadian businesses, and the process is more learnable than it looks. This guide walks the full journey — from your supplier's factory gate to your warehouse door — and flags the points where new importers most often lose time or money.从中国进口是数千家加拿大企业的命脉，整个流程比看起来更容易掌握。本指南讲解从供应商工厂到您仓库的完整旅程，并标出新进口商最容易损失时间和金钱的环节。
Before your first container moves, you need three things: a CRA Business Number with an import-export (RM) account, registration in the CBSA's CARM portal (see our CARM guide), and a customs broker authorized to file on your behalf. Allow one to two weeks for the full setup.在第一个集装箱启运之前，您需要三样东西：带有进出口（RM）账户的CRA商业编号、在CBSA的CARM门户注册（见我们的CARM指南），以及授权代您申报的报关行。完整设置请预留一到两周。
The Incoterm on your purchase agreement decides who books freight and who carries risk. Most China–Canada importers buy FOB (Free On Board) — the supplier delivers goods loaded on the vessel at the Chinese port, and you control the ocean freight and everything after. Avoid agreeing to CIF blindly: when the seller controls the freight, surprise destination charges are common.采购合同上的贸易术语决定谁订舱、谁承担风险。大多数中加进口商采用FOB（离岸价）——供应商负责将货物装上中国港口的船，海运及之后的环节由您掌控。不要轻易接受CIF：当卖方掌控运输时，目的港的意外费用很常见。
A full container (FCL) is yours alone — 20', 40', or 40' high-cube. Less-than-container-load (LCL) shares space with other shippers and is priced per cubic metre. The rule of thumb: above roughly 13–15 cubic metres, FCL usually wins on both cost and handling risk. Typical ocean transit: 14–22 days to Vancouver, 28–35 days to Montreal (check your lane with the lane checker).整柜（FCL）整箱归您——20尺、40尺或40尺高柜。拼箱（LCL）与其他发货人共享空间，按立方米计价。经验法则：超过约13–15立方米时，整柜通常在成本和操作风险上都更划算。典型海运时间：到温哥华14–22天，到蒙特利尔28–35天（用航线查询工具查看您的航线）。
Vague descriptions ("parts", "gifts") are the #1 cause of customs delays for new importers. Describe goods the way a customs officer needs to read them.模糊的货物描述（"配件"、"礼品"）是新进口商清关延误的头号原因。请按海关官员需要的方式描述货物。
Three layers apply to most China-origin goods: customs duty (rate set by the HS classification of your product — many goods are duty-free, some are not), GST (5% on the duty-paid value), and for certain categories — notably steel and aluminum — surtaxes or SIMA anti-dumping duties that can dwarf regular duty. Getting the HS code right before you commit to a purchase is the single highest-value compliance step; see our steel page for the highest-risk category.大多数中国产货物涉及三层费用：关税（税率由产品的HS分类决定——许多商品免税，有些则不然）、GST（按完税价格的5%），以及某些类别——尤其是钢铝——的附加税或SIMA反倾销税，后者可能远超普通关税。在确认采购前确定正确的HS编码是价值最高的合规步骤；最高风险类别见我们的钢材专页。
A good broker files your CAD entry before the vessel berths, so CBSA has processed it by the time containers discharge. After release, the container is picked up from the terminal (drayage), delivered direct, or transloaded for rail or LTL to inland destinations. Watch the free-time clock at the terminal — our demurrage guide covers how fees stack up and how to avoid them.好的报关行会在船舶靠泊之前提交CAD申报，集装箱卸船时CBSA已处理完毕。放行后，集装箱从码头提取（拖运），直接配送或转运至铁路/零担运往内陆。注意码头免费期时钟——我们的滞期费指南讲解费用如何累积及如何避免。
Educational overview only — rates, programs, and CBSA requirements change. Verify current rules for your specific goods, or ask us and we'll check against today's tariff.仅供学习参考——税率、项目和CBSA要求会变化。请就您的具体货物核实现行规则，或咨询我们按当日关税核查。