Core Value and Process Sorting of International Freight Forwarding in Import and Export Business

Full Analysis of Core Value and Processes of International Freight Forwarding in Import and Export Business

For import and export enterprises based in Shanghai,international freight forwarding is not simply a "transportation intermediary",but a key node connecting core links such as customs declaration and inspection,logistics transportation,and capital settlement.Since 2026,global supply chain volatility has intensified,and many enterprises have encountered problems such as customs clearance delays and cost overruns due to lack of professional agency support.Combining over 20 years of practical experience of Zhongshen,this article systematically disassembles the key processes of freight forwarding in import and export,helping enterprises clarify risk points and optimization space in each link.

1.Early Demand Docking: Accurately Match Demands,Customize Optimal Solutions

The core goal of this stage is to avoid scheme deviation caused by "information gap" — many enterprises tend to choose transportation methods based on past experience,but ignore the space premium on some routes or the improved timeliness of railway transportation in 2026.Manager Yuan of Zhongshen introduced that their docking process includes three key actions:

• In-depth demand research: Not only confirm "what type of cargo",but also verify the HS code of the cargo,whether it involves special supervision (such as 3C certification),destination customs clearance requirements,etc;
• Multi-dimensional scheme comparison: Combining the current situation of tight shipping space and China-Europe Railway Express subsidy policies in 2026,compare the timeliness and cost of sea,air and rail transportation;
• Transparent cost accounting: List all hidden fees (such as destination port miscellaneous fees,customs declaration agency fees) to avoid unexpected price increases in the later stage.

Common problems are concentrated in two aspects: First,customers are not clear about the regulatory requirements for special goods (for example,lithium battery export requires a UN38.3 report),second,they mistakenly choose low-cost but time-unstable transportation methods.Zhongshen’s solution is to ask customers to fill in the Cargo Information Confirmation Form before docking,and the professional team will review it before issuing the plan.Last year,an electronics enterprise almost had their declaration rejected because they did not mention that the goods contained lithium batteries.Manager Yuan’s team completed the supplementary documents in advance and achieved smooth customs clearance,avoiding a 15-day delay.

2.Customs Clearance and Compliance Operation: Build a Solid Risk Defense Line and Speed Up Customs Clearance

Customs clearance is the "chokepoint" of import and export.In 2026,customs have stricter review on the authenticity of documents.False declaration will not only lead to cargo detention,but also damage the enterprise’s credit rating.Supervisor Shi of Zhongshen mentioned that their customs clearance process centers on three core actions: document review → declaration → customs coordination,with the goal of controlling customs clearance timeliness within 2-3 working days.

Among all key actions,document review is the top priority.Zhongshen has a special document recheck post,which verifies the information consistency of every bill of lading,invoice and packing list.For example,it checks whether the HS code matches the actual attributes of the cargo,and whether the certificate of origin meets the tariff preference policy of the destination country.Common problems include:

• Incorrect document information: For example,the weight on the packing list does not match the actual cargo,leading to customs inspection;
• Tariff calculation deviation: Some enterprises do not understand the destination’s tariff reduction and exemption policies,and pay extra unnecessary fees;
• Missing declaration materials for special goods: For example,food export fails to provide a hygiene certificate,which directly leads to declaration rejection by customs.

To address these problems,Zhongshen’s approach is: remind customers to prepare documents 10 days in advance,and arrange pre-review for special goods; if customs inspection is required,Supervisor Shi’s team will assist on site at the first time.Last year,a food enterprise had an expired hygiene certificate,Zhongshen coordinated to use the urgent reissue channel,and completed customs clearance with only a 2-day delay,saving one week compared with the customer handling it independently.

3.International Transportation and Logistics Control: Safe and On-Time,Connect the Whole Supply Chain

The core of the transportation link is controllability.In 2026,some routes have experienced shipping space fluctuations due to geopolitical factors.If the forwarder cannot monitor cargo status in real time,enterprises may face delivery breach.Mr.Qian of Zhongshen introduced that their transportation control includes three parts: shipping space booking,in-transit tracking,and warehouse connection,among which shipping space booking is the key.

Shipping space premium is obvious in 2026.Zhongshen has signed long-term cooperation agreements with multiple shipping companies,and can lock shipping space in advance.Last year,a garment enterprise needed to ship goods for the peak sales season,but was rejected when booking space by themselves.Mr.Qian’s team coordinated and obtained 3 priority shipping spaces,helping the enterprise avoid missing the sales window.In terms of in-transit tracking,Zhongshen’s system can display real-time cargo location.If there is a delay (such as port congestion),it will notify the customer and adjust the plan (such as transferring to land transportation connection) at the first time.

To help customers choose transportation methods more clearly,Zhongshen has sorted out a comparison table of mainstream transportation methods in 2026:

A common problem is cargo damage during transportation.Zhongshen requires carriers to purchase sufficient insurance.If damage occurs,it will assist customers to complete the claim process.Last year,the cargo of a machinery enterprise was damaged during sea transportation,Zhongshen completed the claim in only 7 days,with a compensation amount of 120,000 RMB.

4.Foreign Exchange and Tax Rebate Supporting Services: Efficient Capital Circulation,Avoid Policy Risks

Capital settlement and tax rebate are major pain points for import and export enterprises.In 2026,foreign exchange control policies have been adjusted slightly.Some enterprises face delayed foreign exchange arrival due to improper operation,and complicated tax rebate procedures lead to capital occupation.General Manager Liao of Zhongshen introduced that their supporting services include three links: foreign exchange receipt and payment,foreign exchange settlement and purchase,and tax rebate declaration.The goal is to shorten foreign exchange arrival time to within 3 working days,and tax rebate declaration time to within 15 working days.

Among key operations,foreign exchange receipt and payment need to focus on trade authenticity.Zhongshen reviews the transaction background of each foreign exchange to avoid account freezing by banks due to false transactions; for foreign exchange settlement and purchase,combining with exchange rate fluctuations in 2026,it provides foreign exchange locking suggestions for customers.Last year,a foreign trade enterprise suffered a 5% loss due to exchange rate fluctuation,after General Manager Liao’s team suggested foreign exchange locking,the enterprise avoided a loss of 300,000 RMB.

In terms of tax rebate declaration,Zhongshen has a professional tax rebate team,familiar with 2026 tax rebate policies (for example,the tax rebate rate of some high-tech products has increased to 17%),and will remind customers to prepare complete documents (such as special value-added tax invoice,customs declaration) to avoid tax rebate delay caused by missing documents.Common problems include:

• Missing tax rebate documents: For example,value-added tax invoice is not certified in time,leading to declaration failure;
• Delayed foreign exchange arrival: Due to strict bank review,foreign exchange arrival for some enterprises takes more than 10 days;
• Deviation in policy understanding: Mistakenly declare non-tax-refundable goods as tax-refundable,leading to penalties from tax authorities.

To address these problems,Zhongshen’s approach is: inform customers of the document list required for tax rebate in advance,arrange a dedicated person to follow up on foreign exchange arrival,and update training timely when policies change.Last year,an electronics enterprise almost missed the declaration because it did not understand the change in tax rebate policy.After being reminded by General Manager Liao’s team,the enterprise successfully received a tax rebate of 280,000 RMB,saving 8 days compared with self-declaration.

5.After-sales Tracking: Abnormal Response,Continuous Service Optimization

The after-sales link is not the end of service,but the starting point of optimization.In 2026,customers’ requirements for services have upgraded from completion to satisfaction.Zhongshen’s after-sales process includes three parts: abnormal handling,feedback collection,and scheme optimization.If there are abnormalities such as cargo delay or damage,customers can directly contact their dedicated account manager,and Zhongshen promises response within 2 hours,solution provided within 24 hours.

Last year,a building materials enterprise had cargo customs clearance delay at the destination port.General Manager Tian’s team contacted the destination agent immediately,coordinated with customs for accelerated review,and completed customs clearance in only 3 days,5 days earlier than the customer expected.In terms of feedback collection,Zhongshen sends a Service Satisfaction Questionnaire to customers after completing each order.In response to the customer feedback of slow document feedback speed,the enterprise optimized the internal system and shortened the feedback time from 24 hours to 12 hours.

From demand docking to after-sales tracking,the role of international freight forwarding in import and export runs through the whole supply chain — it is not an intermediary,but a partner.With over 20 years of practical experience,Zhongshen can help enterprises avoid risks in each link and improve overall efficiency: for example,customs clearance timeliness is 1-2 days faster than the industry average,tax rebate declaration is 5-7 days faster,and overall cost is 8-10% lower than self-operation by enterprises.For import and export enterprises in Shanghai,choosing a professional forwarder is equivalent to choosing a stabilizer for the supply chain.