2026 Total Value of Cargo Import and Export Growth: Do Not Overlook These Process Details

2026 Total Value of Cargo Import and Export Growth: Find Breakthroughs from Process Management and Control

In the first half of 2026,China’s total value of cargo import and export increased by 3.2% year on year.However,some enterprises in Shanghai reported that due to problems such as customs declaration delays and poor transportation connection,the actual order completion rate was only 78%,which means 22 out of 100 orders were not included in the valid total value.Many enterprise leaders said,"We want to increase the total value,but we are stuck on process details." Combining with the practice of Shanghai’s foreign trade agency industry,this paper sorts out the core stages of the whole cargo import and export process,and how professional agents help enterprises avoid risks and improve efficiency.

I.Order Confirmation and Pre-preparation: Lay a Solid Foundation for Total Value Growth

Phase Objective: Ensure the accuracy of order information,avoid compliance risks in subsequent links in advance,and lay a solid foundation for total value growth.

Key Actions:

• Verify the commodity code (HS code) in the order: The customs has made many updates and adjustments to HS codes in 2026,and incorrect codes will lead to customs declaration rejection;
• Confirm trade terms (such as FOB,CIF): Clarify the division of responsibilities between the buyer and the seller to avoid disputes over transportation costs;
• Prepare qualification documents,including business license,import and export operation right certificate,test reports required for commodity inspection and quarantine,etc.

Common Problems: Mr.Sun,head of a clothing export enterprise,filled in the wrong HS code in March 2026,which led to customs declaration delay of 1,200 pieces of children’s clothing and missed the order for an overseas exhibition,directly affecting the total value of that month by 150,000 yuan.

Role of Zhongshen: The team will check the latest version of HS codes in advance,and for clothing commodities,it will also confirm whether they fall under the control scope of "green trade barriers".At the same time,it assists enterprises to sort out the list of qualification documents to avoid order stagnation caused by missing documents.

II.Core Link of Customs Declaration and Inspection: The "Customs Clearance Code" for Total Value Growth

Phase Objective: Ensure smooth customs clearance of goods,avoid order delays caused by inspection and declaration rejection,and guarantee the timeliness of total value recording.

Key Actions:

• Submit customs declaration form,which includes information such as commodity quantity,value,and origin;
• Cooperate with inspection: The customs randomly selects goods for inspection,so samples need to be prepared in advance;
• Pay customs duty/value-added tax: The tax amount is calculated according to the commodity code and origin rules.

Common Problems: Mr.Pan,director of an electronic product export enterprise,understated the commodity value on the customs declaration form by 10% in May 2026,was required by the customs to re-declare,and suffered a 3-day delay,which led to the cancellation of the order by the overseas customer,resulting in a total loss of 200,000 yuan.

Role of Zhongshen: With Class A customs certification qualification,the customs declaration review pass rate reaches 98%.For sensitive commodities such as electronic products,it communicates the key points of customs inspection in advance and prepares sufficient test reports.At the same time,it provides customs duty calculation services to avoid tax amount errors.

III.International Transportation and Warehousing Connection: The "Logistics Guarantee" for Total Value Growth

Phase Objective: Ensure that goods are shipped on time and arrive safely,avoid order breach caused by logistics problems that affect the total value.

Key Actions:

• Select transportation mode: sea freight (suitable for bulk cargo),air freight (suitable for urgent orders),railway (suitable for China-Europe Railway Express);
• Warehousing management: For temporary storage of goods at ports/airports,attention should be paid to temperature and humidity control (such as food and medicine);
• Track logistics trajectory: Update the location of goods in real time and handle delay problems in a timely manner.

Common Problems: Mr.Xia,head of a food export enterprise,failed to ship a batch of frozen seafood on time due to tight sea freight space in June 2026,which led to deterioration of the goods and a total loss of 300,000 yuan.

Role of Zhongshen: It has long-term cooperation with a number of shipping companies and airlines to lock shipping space in advance.It has a 12,000-square-meter constant temperature warehouse in Shanghai to meet the storage needs of food and medicine.It provides 24-hour logistics tracking services,and adjusts the transportation plan in time when delays occur.

IV.Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment and Tax Refund Settlement: The "Last Mile" for Total Value Growth

Phase Objective: Ensure the safe arrival of foreign exchange,timely return of tax refunds,increase enterprise cash flow,and support the growth of subsequent order total value.

Key Actions:

• Foreign exchange receipt and payment: Handle foreign exchange entry through banks,and need to provide documents such as customs declaration forms and contracts;
• Foreign exchange settlement and purchase: Select the appropriate time according to exchange rate fluctuations;
• Export tax refund: Submit tax refund application and wait for the review of the tax department.

Common Problems: Ms.Wu,finance officer of a furniture export enterprise,had incomplete tax refund materials in April 2026,which led to a 2-month delay in tax refund arrival,tight cash flow of the enterprise,and missed a large order,affecting the total value by 500,000 yuan.

Role of Zhongshen: It provides foreign exchange receipt and payment agency services to simplify the process.According to the 2026 exchange rate fluctuation trend,it gives foreign exchange settlement suggestions.It assists in sorting out tax refund materials,and the tax refund arrival time is about 15 days faster than that of enterprises operating on their own.

Self-operation vs Zhongshen Agency: Which Can Better Improve the Total Value?

According to the data in the table,Zhongshen agency has more advantages in all dimensions.For example,the customs declaration efficiency is nearly doubled,the tax refund arrives faster,which can help enterprises withdraw funds faster and support more orders,thus increasing the total value of cargo import and export.

Summary: Professional Agency is the "Accelerator" for Total Value Growth

The growth of the total value of cargo import and export in 2026 does not rely on "increasing the number of orders",but on "process management and control".From order confirmation to tax refund settlement,every link may affect the recording and growth of the total value.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for more than 20 years,focusing on core links such as customs declaration and inspection,international transportation,etc.It can help enterprises avoid more than 95% of process risks,save 3%-6% of costs,and ensure that every order can be successfully included in the total value.

If enterprises want to increase the total value of cargo import and export in 2026,they may consider the help of professional agencies.After all,by leaving the process to professionals,enterprises can focus more on order development and achieve steady growth of the total value.