Direct Answer
Chinese folding fans are exported under HS heading 6603, which covers fans and hand screens. Required documents typically include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, and customs declaration. Ordinary silk and bamboo fans carry no special restrictions, but fans with protected materials need permits. Tariffs follow the destination country's schedule under the Harmonized System, so model landed cost — not ex-factory price — when importing.
Opening Hook
A US gift retailer imported 5,000 folding fans for a summer line, and the first shipment was held at customs because the commodity classification on the invoice didn't match the packing list. The pain point was a documentation mismatch, not the product itself. Once the HS classification was corrected to the fan heading and the certificate of origin was added, the shipment cleared without further delay. This guide walks through the export path — classification, documents, compliance, and logistics — so your folding fan import clears on the first try.
HS Classification
Correct classification is the foundation of any smooth export, because every duty and document hangs on it.
| Product | HS Heading | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Folding fan (zheshan) | 6603 | Fans and hand screens |
| Round silk fan (tuanshan) | 6603 | Same heading |
| Fan parts / ribs | 6603 | Component classification |
Export Documentation
A complete, consistent document set is what separates a one-day clearance from a multi-week hold.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Value, buyer, seller, terms |
| Packing list | Contents, weights, dimensions |
| Bill of lading / AWB | Transport title |
| Certificate of origin | Duty preference |
| Customs declaration | Regulatory filing |
Compliance and Material Restrictions
Most silk and bamboo folding fans are unrestricted, but material choices can introduce compliance obligations.
| Material | Compliance Status |
|---|---|
| Mulberry silk | No restriction |
| Common bamboo | No restriction |
| CITES-listed wood | Permit required |
| Ivory / bone | Restricted or prohibited |
Logistics and Landed Cost
Folding fans are light but fragile, and their true cost is only visible at the destination. For the pricing mechanics behind the unit cost, see our silk fan wholesale MOQ and pricing guide and, for the product differences that affect packing, our round silk fan vs folding fan comparison.
| Cost Component | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Unit price | Ex-factory fan cost |
| Freight | Air or sea transport |
| Insurance | In-transit coverage |
| Destination duty | Tariff under HS 6603 |
The Bottom Line
A successful Chinese folding fan export is won before the goods ever leave the warehouse: correct HS classification, consistent documentation, clean material sourcing, and a landed-cost model that accounts for freight and duty.
Every fan is woven by a person, not a machine — and a well-run export process is what delivers that person's craft to buyers worldwide without friction.
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