How to Import Incense Charcoal (Bakhoor Charcoal) to the EU – A Complete B2B Guide

1. Confirm the Product Scope & Keywords Before searching for suppliers, clarify the type of charcoal you need. The following terms are commonly used in RFQs and should be included in your RFQ wording: • incense charcoal / bakhoor charcoal / hookah charcoal / colored incense charcoal / 33 mm charcoal tablets / quick-light charcoal / low-ash charcoal / bamboo charcoal / coconut shell charcoal / odorless charcoal discs / EN1860 charcoal / REACH-compliant charcoal / OEM charcoal / private-label charcoal.

1. Check EU Import Requirements & Regulations 2.1 HS Code & Duty • HS 4402.90.00 – "Bamboo charcoal, including shell or nut charcoal, whether or not agglomerated (excluding activated charcoal)." • EU MFN duty: 0% (August 2025). VAT is payable upon arrival at the standard domestic rate of the member state (17–27%).
2. 2.2 Chemical & Safety Rules • REACH (Regulation (EC) 1907/2006) – Importers must register or rely on the non-EU manufacturer’s registration (≥ 1 ton/year). All accelerants (e.g., nitrates) must be declared. • EN1860-1 – Solid fuels for barbecues & firelighters; most EU customs offices now require EN1860 test reports for charcoal tablets. • CLP (Regulation (EC) 1272/2008) – Charcoal must carry CLP labeling if shipped in consumer packaging. • RAPEX/RASFF – Check past alerts for "charcoal tablets" or "bakhoor charcoal" to avoid seizure. • Fumigation – Not mandatory for charcoal, but some ports (e.g., Hamburg) require heat-treatment certificates for wooden pallets (ISPM-15).
3. 2.3 Restricted or Prohibited? Charcoal is not on the EU "sensitive list," but shipments exceeding 100 kg of oxidizing agents may require an Explosives Precursors license (Regulation 98/2013). Quick-light products with >16% sodium nitrate require special attention.

1. Supplier Due-Diligence Checklist Use these questions in your initial email or Alibaba inquiry:
2. Can you provide an EN1860 test report and REACH SVHC declaration?
3. What is the sodium nitrate percentage? (≤12% is safest for EU customs.)
4. Do you offer OEM/private-label packaging with barcode printing?
5. MOQ and FOB price per 1,000 tablets (black vs. colored).
6. Factory audit (BSCI, ISO 9001, Sedex).
7. HS code confirmation on the proforma invoice.

1. Documents You MUST Collect Before Shipment • Commercial Invoice (showing HS 4402.90.00, FOB USD value) • Packing List (carton dimensions, net/gross weight) • Bill of Lading or AWB • Certificate of Origin (Form A or RCEP if applicable) • EN1860 Test Report (issued by SGS, Intertek, TÜV) • REACH Compliance Letter / SDS • Phytosanitary Certificate (only if using wooden trays) • Insurance policy (CIF terms)

1. Shipping Modes & Cost Benchmarks (August 2025) Mode | Transit | Typical Rate | Pallet Qty | Notes Ocean FCL 20’ | 25–32 d | USD 1,400–1,900 Shenzhen–Rotterdam | 10 pallets / ~1.2M tablets | Cheapest per unit Ocean LCL | 30–38 d | USD 95–110 / m³ | 1–2 pallets | Higher risk of damage Air Freight | 5–7 d | USD 4.5–6.0 / kg | <500 kg | Only for urgent samples Rail (Yiwu–Duisburg) | 18–22 d | USD 2,100 / 40 HC | 20 pallets | Good middle ground
2. Tip: Use slip-sheets for pallets to avoid ISPM-15 pallet delays.

1. Customs Clearance Workflow in the EU Step 1: Obtain an EORI number from your national customs authority. Step 2: File an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) via your forwarder 24 hours before arrival. Step 3: Submit a Single Administrative Document (SAD) – Box 33 must show 4402.90.00.00. Step 4: Pay VAT and any duty (currently 0%). VAT can be deferred under Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) in most countries. Step 5: Goods are released for free circulation and can be sold anywhere in the EU.

1. Labeling & Retail-Pack Rules for the EU Market • Language: Mandatory consumer information must be in the destination country’s language. • CLP pictograms: Flame symbol + "Warning! Contains oxidizing substances." • Ventilation warning: "Use only in well-ventilated areas." • Batch number & best-before date (shelf life: 36 months). • EAN-13 barcode if selling to supermarkets or Amazon EU.

1. Cost Breakdown Example – 1 x 20’ FCL Item USD 100 cartons (1.2M tablets) FOB 20,400 Ocean freight Shenzhen–Antwerp 1,650 Insurance (0.15%) 33 Import clearance & THC 450 EU VAT 21% (on CIF) 4,680 Total landed cost 27,213 Landed cost per 1,000 tablets ≈ 22.7 USD

1. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them • High nitrate levels → Rejected at the border. Specify ≤12% NaNO₃ in the PO. • Incorrect HS code → Delays & penalties. Use 4402.90.00.00. • Missing EN1860 report → Physical inspection & extra fees. Request a PDF copy before shipment. • Wooden pallets without ISPM-15 → Fumigation charge (€150–250). Use plastic pallets or treated wood.

1. Ready-to-Use RFQ Template (copy & paste) Subject: RFQ – 33 mm Incense Charcoal to EU • Product: 33 mm quick-light charcoal tablets, black + 6 colors. • Specs: Burn time 45 min, ash ≤3%, NaNO₃ ≤12%, EN1860 compliant. • Quantity: 2 x 20’ FCL per quarter. • Packaging: 10 tablets/roll, 100 rolls/carton, private-label color box. • Terms: FOB Shenzhen, T/T 30%/70%, target price USD 0.017/pc. • Docs: COA, EN1860, REACH, MSDS. Please send a proforma invoice and SGS report within 48 hours.

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