Category A is for qualifying documents, Category B is for qualifying personal effects, Category C is for qualifying low-value goods below RMB 5,000, and Category D is a formal customs declaration. ArrowPath can arrange only eligible A-, B- and C-category movements from mainland China; we cannot process Category D declarations.
The four export-clearance categories
FedEx China's customer guidance separates mainland China export shipments into four categories. The correct category depends on what is being sent, who is sending it, the declared customs value, quantity, weight, export-control requirements and the Customs gateway handling the shipment.
| Category | Generally covers | Key published test | ArrowPath |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Documents | Documents with no business value, except documents that are taxable under applicable rules. | Eligible if qualifying |
| B | Personal effects | Personal-use items sent by an individual. FedEx lists value limits of RMB 800 for Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan movements, and RMB 1,000 for other countries and regions. | Eligible if qualifying |
| C | Low-value goods | Declared customs value below RMB 5,000, reasonable quantity and weight, and no licensing, export-tax-refund or export-verification requirement. | Eligible if qualifying |
| D | Formal declaration | RMB 5,000 or more; or a lower-value shipment with excessive quantity; or when Customs or the shipper requires formal declaration. | Not supported |
The table is a practical summary of FedEx China's published customer guidance. The actual declaration category and required documents remain subject to local Customs requirements for the individual shipment.
When does a shipment qualify for Category C?
Being below RMB 5,000 is necessary, but it is not the only requirement. FedEx's published Category C definition includes all three of the following:
- Declared customs value below RMB 5,000.
- Reasonable quantity and weight. A shipment that looks like commercial stock rather than a low-value sample can be moved into Category D even when its value is below the threshold.
- No formal export procedure. The shipment must not involve licensing controls, export tax refunds or export verification. Inspection, quarantine or another formal requirement can also prevent ArrowPath from accepting the movement under its simplified service.
FedEx or Chinese Customs can still require a formal declaration because of the quantity, contents, export controls, gateway procedure or a request from the shipper or Customs.
Guangzhou and Shenzhen gateway weight rules
FedEx's customer guidance publishes two airport-specific weight triggers:
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Customs: a shipment weighing 90 kg or more requires Category D formal declaration.
- Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Customs: a shipment weighing 99 kg or more requires Category D formal declaration.
Because ArrowPath cannot process Category D, we can consider only shipments below 90 kg through Guangzhou and below 99 kg through Shenzhen, subject to every other eligibility test.
What about Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao and Xiamen?
FedEx's online declaration service covers Category D exports through Beijing, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xiamen. However, its public customer guidance does not state one current numerical Category C weight threshold for every gateway. ArrowPath therefore confirms the actual FedEx export gateway and applicable rule before collection instead of guessing a limit.
The supplier's city is not necessarily the export-clearance airport. A collection in one city can be routed through a different FedEx gateway.
The separate 68 kg per-package service limit
FedEx International Priority and International Economy normally accept parcels up to 68 kg per individual package. A piece above 68 kg is handled as freight and is subject to different service and packing requirements. This per-piece service boundary is separate from the Guangzhou and Shenzhen total-shipment customs triggers.
ArrowPath's mainland China acceptance policy
ArrowPath's service is intentionally narrower than everything FedEx may carry directly. For a mainland China collection, ArrowPath accepts only shipments that can be confirmed as eligible Category A, B or C movements.
We can consider
Qualifying A-category documents, B-category personal effects and C-category low-value goods after the contents, value, quantity, weight and gateway have been checked.
We cannot accept
Category D formal declarations, dangerous goods, or anything containing a battery from mainland China—including phones, laptops, power banks, toys, tools and equipment with a built-in or removable battery.
The battery restriction above is an ArrowPath service policy. Customers must never remove, conceal or misdescribe a battery to try to obtain carriage.
Pre-collection eligibility checklist
Before requesting a quote from a mainland China supplier, collect the following information:
- Supplier collection city and complete collection address
- Plain-language goods description and intended use
- Declared customs value and currency
- Number of cartons, total shipment weight and each carton's weight
- Final packed dimensions for every carton size
- Confirmation that there are no batteries or dangerous goods
- Whether the exporter needs a licence, tax refund, verification, inspection or quarantine procedure
ArrowPath then checks the expected FedEx gateway and confirms whether the shipment fits the service before collection. Do not send goods to a depot or book supplier collection until acceptance has been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Is every shipment below RMB 5,000 Category C?
No. Quantity, weight, contents and formal export requirements also matter. Customs or the shipper can require Category D even below RMB 5,000.
Can ArrowPath process a Category D declaration?
No. The exporter would need to arrange a suitable formal declaration process elsewhere. ArrowPath should be contacted only after the shipment can be confirmed as A, B or C.
Does a Guangzhou collection always clear through Guangzhou Airport?
No. The collection city does not guarantee the export gateway. The actual FedEx routing must be checked before relying on a gateway-specific threshold.
Do these rules apply to Hong Kong and Macao?
No. Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR are separate customs jurisdictions. Mainland China A/B/C/D clearance rules and gateway thresholds do not automatically apply there.
Official sources
- FedEx China — Export Customs Declaration Customer Guidance
- FedEx China — Chinese-language export declaration guidance
- FedEx China — Online Declaration Tool and supported gateways
- FedEx China — International Priority size and weight limits
This page explains ArrowPath's service based on information publicly available on 31 August 2026. It is not legal or customs advice. Requirements can change and the actual declaration decision belongs to FedEx and the relevant Customs authority.