How to Import Shea Butter into China
Tariff line, regulator, documents, transit from Lagos and clearance for China — every fact sourced and dated.
Summary
- Customs authority
- 国务院关税税则委员会关于2026年关税调整方案的公告 税委会公告2025年第11号。根据《中华人民共和国关税法》及相关规定，自2026年1月1日起，对部分商品的进口关税税率和税目进行调整。
- Cosmetics authority
- The National Medical Products Administration administers cosmetic registration and filing under the Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation.
- Food authority
- Overseas food manufacturers that export to China register through the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system.
- National tariff line
- Heading 1515.90
- Product notification
- NMPA distinguishes special-cosmetics registration from general-cosmetics filing. A bulk cosmetic ingredient that is not itself a finished cosmetic placed on the Chinese market is not notified as a finished product; the finished-product registrant or filer is responsible.
- Ports of discharge
- Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
- Transit from Lagos
- 32–50 days
- Certification priority
- NMPA filing / registration, GACC / CIFER, ISO 22716 / GMP
- Labelling language
- Chinese-language labels for finished cosmetics placed on the mainland market
- Specific to China
- NMPA splits special-cosmetics registration from general-cosmetics filing.
- Specific to China (2)
- GACC registers overseas edible-fat plants in the CIFER system.
- Specific to China (3)
- Shekou (CNSZX) and Nansha are Pearl River discharge ports on the China row.
Nigerian shea butter for China
China is a destination market, not a shea-growing region. Drums arriving at Shanghai are West African origin. NMPA filing is for finished cosmetics; food-use drums need a CIFER-registered overseas plant. EMI Agro works with 5,000+ women collectors in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi. Shanghai is the usual discharge.
Ask for a batch COA on a NIS 571:2013 basis: free fatty acid, peroxide value, moisture, colour and melting point. Reject lots that smell sharply rancid or pour like liquid oil at room temperature. NMPA filings sit with the China importer — they do not replace a COA.
Trial lots start at 5 tonnes; standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Send the request even if you need less — EMI Agro reviews every China enquiry against current production of 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Lead time is Ibadan production plus ocean time to Shanghai. Quotes are EXW, FOB or CIF; each term prices different services beyond the butter.
Two questions. We show the grade, the documents that usually apply and the next step — we do not invent a price.
Why China buys Nigerian shea butter
China is a destination market, not a shea-growing region. Drums arriving at Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen or Guangzhou are West African origin. Guangzhou and Shenzhen OEMs, Shanghai traders and inland fillers specify shea as they specify other tropical butters — against a COA, not a brand story.
NMPA filing is for finished cosmetics the Chinese responsible person places on the market. Food-use drums need a CIFER-registered overseas plant and the importer's GACC path. EMI Agro's published marks remain NAFDAC registered, SON approved and HACCP in progress; organics stay in pursuit. Do not write NMPA or CIFER as an EMI certificate.
Name Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen or Guangzhou on the quote. Typical ocean time from Lagos is about 32–50 days. Split inland delivery after discharge is the importer's arrangement. One bill of lading names one discharge port.
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Step 1 — Classify & tariff
Shea butter is classified under HS heading 1515.90 worldwide; China extends it to the national line below.
Tariff classification for shea butter in China (sources and dates in References) Item Value Source HS heading 1515.90 — global Harmonized System National tariff line Heading 1515.90 — other fixed vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified — remains the classification heading used under the 2026 tariff scheme. This note does not invent an 8-digit national line. gov.cn Duty and tax note 自2026年1月1日起，对部分商品的进口关税税率和税目进行调整，具体内容见附件。 Nigeria is not a party to a China FTA named in that announcement. gov.cn Preference scheme and proof of origin This note does not state a numeric MFN rate for shea butter. gov.cn 自2026年1月1日起，对部分商品的进口关税税率和税目进行调整，具体内容见附件。 Nigeria is not a party to a China FTA named in that announcement. This note does not state a numeric MFN rate for shea butter.
Why the first six digits are the same everywhere is explained in the exporting and importing shea butter guide.
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Step 2 — Regulatory registration
In China, cosmetic-grade shea butter falls under NMPA; food-grade under the food authority.
Imported general cosmetics must complete filing before import. Special cosmetics require registration approval. Overseas registrants and filing persons need a Domestic Responsible Person in China.
NMPA distinguishes special-cosmetics registration from general-cosmetics filing. A bulk cosmetic ingredient that is not itself a finished cosmetic placed on the Chinese market is not notified as a finished product; the finished-product registrant or filer is responsible.
Overseas food manufacturers that export to China register through the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system. Edible fats and oils are a registered food category on that system.
Imported finished cosmetics must carry Chinese-language labels meeting NMPA labelling rules before they are placed on the mainland market. Bulk industrial drums follow the contract language agreed with the Chinese importer.
Buyers in China most often ask for NMPA filing / registration, GACC / CIFER and ISO 22716 / GMP; status is on our certifications page. See NMPA filing / registration, GACC / CIFER, ISO 22716 / GMP and our certifications page.
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Step 3 — Required documents
The documents below are those NMPA lists for a shea butter consignment; EMI Agro issues the ones marked as ours.
Documents for importing shea butter into China (sources and dates in References) Document Issued by When Commercial invoice EMI Agro At booking Packing list EMI Agro At stuffing Bill of lading Carrier On vessel departure Certificate of Analysis (per batch) EMI Agro With shipping documents Certificate of origin Nigerian agency Before shipment Form NXP Nigerian agency Before shipment GACC overseas manufacturer registration (food use) Buyer / importer Before food-use entry Nigerian export-side documents are explained in how to import shea butter from Nigeria; the COA format is on the certificate of analysis page.
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Step 4 — Shipping & Incoterms
EMI Agro loads at Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos) for China discharge at the ports below.
Typical sea transit from Lagos to China (port-to-port days; confirm on the booking) Port UN/LOCODE Transit (days) Schedules read on Shanghai CNSHA 32–50 September 2026 Ningbo CNNGB 32–50 September 2026 Shenzhen CNSZX 32–50 September 2026 Guangzhou CNCAN 32–50 September 2026 - EXW: buyer arranges collection, freight and insurance from the factory.
- FOB: EMI Agro delivers on board at the named Lagos port; buyer arranges ocean freight.
- CIF: EMI Agro arranges freight and insurance to the named discharge port.
Container configuration is calculated separately — use the shea export container calculator and the container notes on the export overview.
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Step 5 — Customs clearance & inspection
Clearance in China is handled through NMPA.
China Customs applies the 2026 tariff scheme from 1 January 2026. Food-use shea butter is entered against a GACC-registered overseas manufacturer in CIFER. Cosmetic finished goods follow the NMPA filing or registration path before import.
Working with EMI Agro
- MOQ
- Standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Trial lots start at 5 tonnes. Smaller volumes can still be requested — we review every enquiry against current production.
- Lead time
- Lead time is Ibadan production time plus ocean time to the named port. EMI Agro produces 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Exact weeks depend on the quantity on the purchase order.
- Incoterms
- EXW, FOB, CIF
- Samples
- Trial lots start at 5 tonnes of the named grade. Send the request even if you need less — we review whether we can supply.
- Load ports
- Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos)
For China buyers our supplier page covers MOQ, price basis, packaging and lead time in detail. Shea butter supplier in China.
For commodity background see the complete guide to shea butter.
Related pages
How to import shea butter into Hong Kong
How to import shea butter into Taiwan
How to import shea butter from Nigeria
Nigerian export-side procedure before the container sails.
Shea export container calculator
How many drums fit a container.
Exporting shea butter from Nigeria
HS heading, load ports and the country-guide hub.
Certificate of Analysis
How a batch COA is reported.
Frequently asked questions
References & standards
- gov.cn (accessed 13 September 2026)
- nmpa.gov.cn (accessed 13 September 2026)
- cifer.singlewindow.cn (accessed 13 September 2026)
- maersk.com (accessed 13 September 2026)
Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.
Manufacturer-direct from Ibadan, Nigeria
Get an export quote for China
Tell us grade, volume and your port of discharge in China; we reply with pricing, the document set and a current COA.
You have just read How to Import Shea Butter into China. The next step is a real lot from the factory that produces it — EMI Agro, with factory-direct pricing and a batch Certificate of Analysis.
Trusted manufacturer
EMI Agro Industries Limited (RC 9364495) presses the butter in Ibadan — we are not a trading company.
Competitive factory-direct prices
Quoted EXW, FOB or CIF — the buyer chooses. You pay the factory, not a chain of middlemen.
Export-ready supply
We ship to European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, China, India, Middle East, Latin America. Load ports: Apapa (Lagos) or Tin Can Island (Lagos).
Documented lots
40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter, a Certificate of Analysis on every batch, NAFDAC registered and SON approved.