Know the Rules for Your Move in China
The underlying rules are set nationally, but — as in Germany and France — the licence itself is issued locally, by the transport authority in the city or county where the company is registered.
Before you rely on this
China’s road transport licensing framework (道路运输经营许可证, “Road Transport Business License”) is a single national legal standard set by the Ministry of Transport, not a province-by-province patchwork — but the licence is issued and administered at the county or city level, tied to where the company’s business registration sits. Moving services (搬家运输) are explicitly named as one of the licensed categories, alongside general freight, specialized transport, and others. Always confirm current requirements directly before hiring a mover.
What kind of question is it?
Licensing and compliance requirements for international household moves to and from China.
International — China →Standard registration with the local Administration for Market Regulation (市场监督管理部门/AMR), with a business scope that must explicitly include road goods transport or moving transport.
China →Required for most movers, issued locally but governed by uniform national rules.
Covered within the China pageMoving contracts are treated as freight/carriage contracts under the Civil Code (民法典), with the Consumer Rights Protection Law providing general consumer protections — there is no China-specific statute purpose-built for moving contracts the way Germany has.
Covered within the China pageSelect a city
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only. Regulations may change and licensing specifics can vary by locality even within a uniform national framework. Always confirm current requirements directly with the local Administration for Market Regulation and transport authority before hiring a mover.
Checking a specific mover?
Confirm their current IAMTrusted status — it takes one search.
Verify a mover →