---
title: "Full Process Guide to Core Links of Agent Import & Export Customs Declaration with Cash on Delivery (COD) - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In the 2026 foreign trade market，the COD model is favored by small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises for its flexible capital turnover. However，the customs declaration process involves multiple difficulties such as qualification verification，document review，and customs inspection. Many enterprises face cargo detention at ports due to unfamiliarity with the process，or cooperation disruptions caused by payment connection issues. Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for over 2..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/news/ent-import-export-customs-declaration-cod-process-guide.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Industry News"
datePublished: "2026-10-13"
dateModified: "2026-10-13"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6pEPgGQY9w5NB.webp"
---

# Full Process Guide to Core Links of Agent Import & Export Customs Declaration with Cash on Delivery (COD)

## 1.Pre-docking: Sort out basic information clearly

In the 2026 foreign trade market,many small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises prefer the COD model – no advance deposit required,flexible capital turnover.However,if the customs declaration step is not handled properly,goods may stay at the port for several extra days,and even affect cooperation with customers.When many enterprises handle the customs declaration process on their own,they often get stuck in links such as qualification verification and document review.At this time,it is critical to find a professional agent.At the end of last year,Ms.Wu,who engages in home furnishing export,received an order from Southeast Asia.The customer required COD.She had no import and export right and was not familiar with the customs declaration process,so she turned to Zhongshen for help.The whole process not only did not delay delivery,but also saved 3 days compared with figuring out the process on her own.Today we will elaborate on the full process of agent import and export customs declaration with COD.

![What Troubles Can You Avoid by Choosing Zhongshen for Import & Export Customs Declaration with COD?](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6pEPgGQY9w5NB.webp)

### 1.Requirement confirmation: Do not let "vague orders" slow down the process

**Objective**: Clarify cargo attributes,payment requirements and delivery time limit to avoid later information deviation.

- The customer provides cargo details,including product name (accurate to specific material and model required),HS code (detailed description required if the customer is not sure),quantity,weight,place of origin,and packaging method;
- Confirm COD details: payment node (before or after picking up goods at the port of destination?Is payment method telegraphic transfer or others?),payment term;
- Verify customer qualification: If the customer has no import and export right,an agency import and export agreement shall be signed; if yes,the qualification certificate of import and export right shall be provided.

**Common problems**:

- Ms.Wu once encountered the problem of "general product name": She wrote "solid wood dining chair" as "dining chair",which made the customs system unable to match,and the declaration was returned;
- Some customers do not know the HS code clearly and use a random one,resulting in wrong tariff calculation and overpayment of more than 2000 yuan;
- Some customers did not mention in advance that "third-party witness is required for COD",leading to stagnation of the later payment process.

**Roles of Zhongshen**:

- For vague product names,we will require the customer to provide product pictures and material certificates,and even assist with pre-classification;
- We provide HS code inquiry and review services,and the pre-classification accuracy rate of Zhongshen reached over 98% in 2026;
- We sort out the COD payment process in advance.If the customer needs a third-party witness,we will assist in connecting with compliant witness institutions to avoid payment risks.

![What Troubles Can You Avoid by Choosing Zhongshen for Import & Export Customs Declaration with COD?](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/6q4RAkhHTHNhM.webp)

## 2.Customs Declaration Execution: Do not let "customs clearance delay" affect delivery

Customs declaration execution is the core link of the COD process,which directly affects whether the goods can arrive at the port of destination on time.Zhongshen will follow up each step throughout the process to ensure smooth operation.

### 1.Declaration Review: Guard the first pass of documents

**Objective**: Ensure that electronic declaration is consistent with paper documents and meets customs requirements.

- Zhongshen prepares the customs declaration form according to the documents provided by the customer,including commodity code,quantity,unit price,total value,place of origin,etc.;
- Carry out cross-review of documents: Check whether the packing list,invoice,contract,bill of lading (if issued),certificate of origin,etc.are consistent;
- Submit electronic declaration to the customs and obtain the declaration receipt.

### 2.Inspection and Release: Methods to handle emergencies

**Objective**: Pass customs inspection smoothly and obtain the release note.

- If the cargo is selected for customs inspection,Zhongshen will notify the customer as soon as possible to prepare cargo samples and relevant certificates required for inspection;
- Arrange special personnel to cooperate with the inspection on site to ensure the smooth progress of the inspection process;
- After passing the inspection,obtain the customs release note and arrange logistics loading.

**Common problems**:

- Some goods are inspected due to unclear packaging marks.For example,Ms.Wu’s dining chairs were required to be relabeled because the place of origin mark was too small;
- The customs has a relatively high inspection rate for some categories (such as electronic products).If the declaration is not detailed,it is easy to be inspected for multiple times;
- Logistics connection is not timely,and loading cannot be carried out in time after release,resulting in expired shipping space.

| Comparison Dimension | Customs Declaration by Customer Themselves | Agency Service by Zhongshen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Declaration review accuracy rate | About 85% (2026 industry data) | Over 98% (2026 statistics of Zhongshen) |
| Inspection response time | 4-6 hours | Within 1 hour (special personnel docking with customs) |
| Logistics connection efficiency | Need to contact logistics providers by yourself,average connection time 2 days | Long-term cooperation with more than 10 logistics providers,connection completed within 1 day |
| Tariff calculation accuracy rate | About 90% | 99% (accurate verification of HS code and tariff rate) |

**Roles of Zhongshen**:

- We have a special document review team,and each customs declaration form is reviewed by at least 2 people to avoid information errors;
- We have unimpeded inspection and communication channels with Shanghai Customs.Among the inspection forms handled by Zhongshen in 2026,80% can be completed within 1 day;
- We have signed long-term cooperation agreements with multiple mainstream logistics providers (such as COSCO Shipping,SF International) to ensure stable shipping space and timely connection.

## 3.COD and Closing: Do not let "capital problems" affect cooperation

After the goods arrive at the port of destination,the connection of COD and handling of follow-up procedures are critical,which directly affects the customer’s capital return.

### 1.Cargo Arrival at Port and Pickup: Ensure smooth delivery to customers

**Objective**: After the goods arrive at the port of destination,notify the customer in time and assist in handling the pickup procedures.

- After the goods arrive at the port of destination,Zhongshen will automatically notify the customer through the system (SMS + email);
- Provide the list of documents required for pickup (such as bill of lading,customs declaration form,delivery order,etc.);
- Assist the customer in handling customs clearance at the port of destination (if required by the customer) and pickup procedures,and solve problems in pickup (such as port storage fee,container detention fee,etc.).

### 2.COD and Follow-up: Ensure safe arrival of funds

**Objective**: Follow up the arrival of COD payment,handle foreign exchange receipt and payment,foreign exchange settlement,and export tax refund.

- According to the agreement between the customer and the buyer,remind the buyer to make payment after the goods arrive at the port of destination;
- If the buyer requires a third-party witness,Zhongshen will assist in connecting with compliant institutions to ensure the connection between payment and pickup;
- After receiving the payment for goods,handle foreign exchange receipt and payment,and foreign exchange settlement (in accordance with 2026 foreign exchange policies);
- For export business,assist the customer to declare export tax refund within 30 days after the goods are released (the customer is required to provide documents such as value-added tax invoices).

**Common problems**:

- The buyer delays payment,resulting in tight capital for the customer;
- Losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations during foreign exchange settlement;
- Delayed declaration of export tax refund affects capital return.

**Roles of Zhongshen**:

- Provide COD payment reminder service,reminding the customer and the buyer 3 days and 1 day before the payment node respectively;
- Cooperate with multiple banks to provide foreign exchange settlement rate locking service (the rate locking service of Zhongshen covered more than 90% of customers in 2026) to avoid losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations;
- The professional tax refund team is familiar with the 2026 export tax refund policy,with a 100% declaration pass rate,and the average arrival time is 5 days faster than the industry average.

## 4.Summary: Professional agencies make foreign trade more worry-free

From pre-demand confirmation,to customs declaration execution,to COD and closing,every link of agent import and export customs declaration with COD hides details – a missing accurate HS code may lead to overpaid tariff; one day late declaration may lead to missing shipping space; poor payment connection may affect cooperation.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the foreign trade agency industry for more than 20 years,is familiar with the 2026 customs declaration policies,foreign exchange policies and export tax refund policies,and can help customers sort out the details of each link,avoid potential risks,and improve the efficiency of the whole process.

Take Ms.Wu,who engages in home furnishing export,for example.When she handled customs declaration by herself before,her goods were detained at the port for 2 days due to document errors.Later,after she turned to Zhongshen for agency service,the process was not only smooth,but also saved a lot of time and energy.If you are also engaged in import and export business and need customs declaration agency service under the COD model,you may try the full-process one-stop solution of Zhongshen to make foreign trade more worry-free.

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