Can I import from 
China without a company? in detail
You may be able to import without forming a limited company, but the route depends on your country, product and intended use. Importing for personal use is different from importing stock for resale: customs rules themselves may restrict that use, before tax and business-registration rules are considered. Below: what official pages say for the US, the EU (with Spain, France and Portugal), Mexico and Brazil.
- Applies to
- People and sole traders outside China who want to buy goods from China before they set up a company. Check the intended use (personal or resale) first.
Dear friend,
Welcome! This letter sets out what you need to know, plainly and in order.
The short version by place
These are not seven separate answers: Spain, France and Portugal follow EU customs rules, with their own national details.
| Place | What the official page says | Official source |
|---|---|---|
 United States | Your importer number is your IRS business number; with no business, you can use your Social Security number, or ask for a CBP-assigned number (CBP Form 5106). Some products still need permits | |
 European Union | An EORI number is mandatory for customs operations by economic operators; non-operators need one only in specific cases | |
 Spain | For the private-importer cases this rule covers, the declarant need not have an EORI under self-clearance or direct representation | |
 France | Businesses register with customs for an EORI number | |
 Portugal | The €22 VAT exemption for low-value imports ended on 1 July 2021; eligible goods up to €150 can use a simplified declaration | |
 Mexico | Individuals and companies can join the importers' register (Padrón de Importadores) if they meet its conditions | |
 Brazil | Individuals may not import goods meant for resale or industrial use by international parcel, with some exceptions |
United States
USA.gov says: "In most cases, you will not need a license to import goods into the U.S." and "If you do not have this number or you do not own a business, you can use your Social Security number." Some products still need permits from other agencies, so check your product before you order.
EU, Spain, France and Portugal
- EORI. The European Commission says an EORI number "is mandatory for the clearance of all types of customs operations" in the EU. Economic operators established in the EU need one. "Economic operator" is not the same as "limited company"; a sole trader can be one. Persons who are not economic operators need one only in the specific cases the Commission lists.
- Spain. From 26 November 2025, for the private-importer cases covered by this AEAT rule, the declarant need not have an EORI under self-clearance or direct representation. Under indirect representation, the declarant must be a customs representative with an EORI. Economic operators, including sole traders (autónomos), follow the business EORI rules.
- France. Businesses register with French customs for an EORI number on douane.gouv.fr. How VAT works for you depends on your own tax status; check it separately with your tax office.
- Portugal. The €22 VAT exemption for low-value imports was abolished from 1 July 2021. Eligible goods up to €150 can use a simplified customs declaration. This does not mean every import is treated the same way; other rules can apply.
Mexico
SAT says individuals and companies can register as importers ("Las personas físicas y morales que deseen importar mercancías"). For this standard register route, the conditions are an active RFC, a valid e.firma, taxes up to date, and a customs agent or representative to handle the operations. SAT answers an application within 6 working days at most; that is a reply time, not automatic approval.
Brazil
- Use comes first. Receita Federal's page on parcel restrictions says individuals may not import, by international parcel, goods meant for resale or industrial use. It lists exceptions, such as rural producers, craftspeople, artists and similar. This is a postal and express-parcel rule; other import routes have their own rules. (
Receita Federal, updated 31 Aug 2026)
- Declaring yourself. Individuals acting in their own name may be exempt from Siscomex habilitation. If filing a declaration personally, they still need the appropriate customs-system access authorisation. Special cases have additional rules. (
- Tax on online purchases. Under the simplified regime (RTS) for eligible international purchases up to US$3,000: for an individual buying on a site certified in the Remessa Conforme programme, import duty is 0% up to US$50 and 60% minus US$30 above that. On other sites, or for purchases by a company, 60% applies within the same regime. The value counts goods, freight and insurance. State ICMS tax is extra, so 0% import duty is not tax-free. (
Importing for resale: check in this order
- Customs: may you import for this use, by this route (parcel, courier, freight)? Brazil shows that the answer can be no for individuals.
- Product: does it need a permit, certificate or label?
- Tax and business registration: reselling regularly is usually a business activity, with its own VAT or sales tax, income tax and registration rules. Ask your local tax office.
Still uncertain
- Portugal: we did not find an official AT page stating how an individual importer is identified (for example by NIF).
- United States: CBP's own "Importer Numbers" help page did not open during our check; the rule above is from USA.gov, the official US government portal.
- Mexico: we did not check whether small personal shipments have a route outside the Padrón.
- France: we did not check the VAT rules for each type of sole trader.
- This page is general information from official sources, not legal or tax advice.
Sources for this letter
Wishing you good business,
The mouwise team
Checked 2026-10-27
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