Importing Wigs from China: The Process at a Glance
| Step | Who does it | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Order and deposit | You and the factory | Specs, quantities and terms are confirmed |
| 2. Production and QC | Factory | Hair is made, checked and packed |
| 3. Booking and export docs | Factory or forwarder | Commercial invoice, packing list, export declaration |
| 4. Transit | Carrier | Express, air or sea |
| 5. Import clearance | Courier, broker or DDP provider | Goods declared, duties and taxes assessed |
| 6. Delivery | Carrier | Door delivery or pickup at a port or airport |
With DDP, most first-time buyers only deal with steps 1 and 6. A good factory books the shipment, prepares the documents and tells you before dispatch what you may owe on arrival.
Shipping Methods Compared
| Method | Cost level | Who clears customs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express courier | Highest per kg | The courier, duties billed to you | Samples, small and urgent orders |
| Air freight | Medium | Your customs broker | Regular restocks of medium weight |
| Sea freight (LCL or FCL) | Lowest per kg | Your customs broker | Large and container orders |
Any of these can be quoted DDP, for example DDP by air or DDP by sea, so duties are included and there are no bills on delivery. Hair is light for its value, so most wig and bundle orders travel by express or air. Sea freight starts to make sense for large orders of synthetic hair, braiding hair and packaging. See current transit times on our Shipping and Payment page, and the full timeline in Wholesale Hair Shipping Times. Compare cost and timing in Sea Freight vs Air Freight from China.
DDP and DAP are trade terms that decide who pays duties. We explain them in DDP vs DAP for Wholesale Hair Orders.
Duties, Taxes and Customs: How They Generally Work
Every country charges import costs differently, and rates change often, so treat this as a general overview and check current rules with your customs broker or courier before you order.
- Duties are calculated from the customs value of the goods and their tariff code. Wigs and hair pieces fall under heading 6704 of the Harmonized System, and some processed human hair under 6703. The exact code depends on the product and your country.
- Import VAT or sales taxes apply in many countries, such as VAT in the UK and EU and GST in Australia.
- Additional tariffs may apply to goods made in China in some markets, including the US.
- Fees from the courier or broker cover clearance and paperwork.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- United States: parcels from China lost duty-free (de minimis) treatment on May 2, 2025, and parcels from every country on August 29, 2025 (US Customs and Border Protection). Tariffs imposed under IEEPA ended after the Supreme Court's ruling of February 20, 2026, and CBP stopped collecting them on February 24, 2026. Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods still apply.
- European Union: since July 1, 2026, parcels under €150 no longer enter duty free. A temporary flat customs duty of €3 per item applies (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382, European Commission).
Information as of November 2026.
Which value duty is charged on
The customs value is normally what you paid for the goods. Some countries add the international freight and insurance on top (the UK and EU do), while the US values goods without international freight, so the same order can carry a different duty base in each market. Declare it accurately: undervaluing hair to cut duties risks seizure, fines and delays.
Paperwork You Should Receive
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Value, product description, tariff code, origin |
| Packing list | Cartons, weights, contents of each box |
| Air waybill or bill of lading | Proof of shipment and tracking |
| Certificate of origin | Needed by some markets or for trade agreements |
We prepare these documents for every order and describe the hair clearly (for example "human hair wigs" or "synthetic braiding hair"), which speeds up clearance.
Guides by Market
| Market | Market page | Import guide |
|---|---|---|
| USA and Canada | USA and Canada | Importing Wigs from China to the USA |
| United Kingdom | UK | Importing Hair Extensions to the UK |
| Europe | Europe | Importing Hair Extensions to Europe |
| Nigeria and West Africa | Nigeria and West Africa | Importing Hair to Nigeria |
| Ghana | Nigeria and West Africa | Importing Hair to Ghana |
| South Africa | South Africa | Importing Wigs to South Africa |
| Middle East | Middle East | The Dubai Hair Market |
| Australia | Australia | Importing Hair Extensions to Australia |
| Latin America | Latin America | Importing Hair Extensions to Mexico and Latin America |
| Japan and Korea | Japan and Korea | OEM Hair Topper Specifications for Japan and Korea |
Tips for a Smooth First Import
- Order samples by express first, then scale to air or DDP for bulk
- Ask for the tariff code and product description before dispatch
- Get a landed cost estimate before you set retail prices: goods, freight, duties and import taxes, broker fees and packaging, divided by the number of units. Selling costs such as ads and platform fees come on top of that. See How to Price Wigs and Bundles
- Plan around Chinese New Year, when factories and carriers slow down
- Keep every invoice and tracking record for your accounts
FAQ
Is it legal to import wigs from China?
Yes. Wigs and hair products are ordinary goods. You pay any duties and taxes your country charges and follow its labeling rules.
Do I have to pay customs duties on wigs from China?
Usually yes, plus import VAT or sales tax in many countries. The amount depends on the product's tariff code, its value and current rules in your country.
Can wigs, bundles and accessories travel in one shipment?
Yes. We consolidate them under one set of documents, and each product keeps its own line and tariff code on the commercial invoice. Glues and removers travel with their safety data sheets, and on some routes they ship separately.
Do I need a customs broker?
Not for express parcels, where the courier clears customs. For air and sea freight you'll usually need a broker, unless you ship DDP.
Get a Landed-Cost Quote for Your Country
Tell us your country, the products and roughly how many units. We'll quote the goods, the shipping method that fits and the duty terms (DDP or DAP) as one landed-cost figure.