Understanding that many UAE-based companies would use courier services to deliver sample or items to their partners in China, vice versa. Please note that 3 new standards for express service packaging have been introduced and will come into force on September 1st, 2018. It is said to be far more environmentally-friendly than those currently in use.

The standard is introduced by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and the Standardisation Administration of China and announced in late February 2018. Among the changes is the stipulation that express delivery bags should only be made from biodegradable plastic materials in order to reduce environment pollution. At the same time, the ratio of paper packaging in couriered envelopes, the recommended thickness of plastic film packaging bags and the volume of cushioning / woven plastic utilised in packaging have all been reduced.

Similarly, the use of single or double-wall corrugated boxes is no longer mandatory providing that the utilised packaging is sufficiently durable, burst-resistant and puncture-proof. The new standards also specify statutory dimensions for express delivery boxes in order to reduce the use of packaging materials and to promote recycling.

In order not to delay the product delivery to China, companies should check with couriers to ensure the package meets the new standard.

 

Source: 
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (available in Chinese only)
http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/zjxw/dfzjxw/dfftpxw/201802/t20180222_513160.htm