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What core businesses and detailed end-to-end service offerings are covered by import customs brokerage agency?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am the procurement head of a small and micro enterprise in Shanghai specializing in high-end imported maternal and infant products. Last month, I handled import customs clearance on my own for the first time. Due to missing key information on a quarantine document, the cargo was detained at Yangshan Port for 5 days.
I not only paid more than 20,000 RMB in liquidated damages to downstream distributors, but also paid nearly 10,000 RMB in demurrage and storage fees. I still feel so distressed that I can't sleep when I think about it. I used to think that customs brokerage only helps with declaration. Now I want to figure out what services import customs brokerage agencies can actually provide?
Can they cover the whole process from document pre-review to final door-to-door delivery? Are there targeted segmented services for small-batch, multi-frequency scattered imports like ours? In addition, will they help us prevent and control risks like cargo detention and port demurrage we encountered last time, so as to avoid similar pitfalls?
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
In the pre-arrival document review stage，two-dimensional cross verification will be conducted for different categories (such as quarantine certificates and certificates of origin for maternal and infant products): it not only checks the consistency of fields between documents and customs declarations，but also verifies the validity of documents and the qualification of issuing authorities simultaneously. The missing quarantine information you encountered previously will be corrected in advance during the pre-review stage through dual system and manual checks，so as to avoid cargo detention risks caused by document defects from the source.
For the connection of key nodes，the real-time data link between customs brokers，port areas and quarantine bureaus will be connected，and pre-declaration will be completed 24 hours before the cargo arrives at the port. After the cargo arrives at the port，it will directly coordinate inspection (if any)，while simultaneously following up on manifest information and tax payment timelines，ensuring that the connection error of each node is controlled within 2 hours，so as to avoid unnecessary demurrage and storage fees caused by delayed connection.
In terms of contingency plans，customized response plans will be developed in advance for sensitive categories such as maternal and infant products: in case of random inspection，dedicated personnel will be arranged to accompany on site，and priority will be given to coordinating fast inspection channels，in case of document correction requirements，a correction template will be issued within 1 hour and the issuing authority will be contacted for expedited processing，in case of temporary tax rate adjustment，a compliant process for retroactive application of the old tax rate will be submitted simultaneously to minimize enterprise losses.
In the final compliance implementation stage，in addition to completing customs clearance and release and arranging door-to-door delivery，a full set of compliant documents will be sorted and archived simultaneously. For small-batch，multi-frequency scattered import customers，exclusive document ledger management services will be provided，and quarterly compliance review reports will be issued to ensure the whole process meets customs and quarantine supervision requirements，and avoid subsequent audit risks caused by non-standard document retention.
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat
For the core customs declaration link of import clearance, professional customs valuation dispute handling services will be provided. When the customs questions the declared value, we will assist enterprises in preparing complete price certification materials (such as purchase contracts, foreign exchange payment vouchers, transaction records of the same category), and submit price negotiation applications through the integrated customs clearance system, so as to avoid problems such as declaration deletion and resubmission, and pending accounts caused by failed valuation review.
At the same time, for secondary declaration requirements, we will accurately split the customs declaration fields according to customs requirements, ensure the logical closed loop of declaration data, meet the declaration standards of customs AEO certified enterprises, and improve clearance efficiency. In addition, we will also assist enterprises in handling abnormal operations such as modification and cancellation of customs declarations, ensure that every declaration action complies with customs supervision regulations, and avoid points deduction of customs credit rating caused by improper operation.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
We will provide supporting services for the full link of import logistics, including manifest information verification before cargo arrival at port, terminal yard reservation, free storage period application, etc. For emergencies such as container rolling and overbooking, we will coordinate transit terminals or change shipping company space at the first time to avoid cargo detention at port. At the same time, we will assist enterprises in handling demurrage reduction and exemption applications, and strive for a maximum 14-day free demurrage period for enterprises through long-term cooperative relations with shipping companies to reduce logistics costs.
In addition, for cargo right control needs, we will provide compliance operation guidance for bill of lading endorsement and transfer, to ensure the safe transfer of cargo right during customs clearance, and avoid cargo right disputes caused by improper bill of lading operation. For small-batch, multi-frequency imported goods, we will provide optimization plans for LCL and FCL to reduce the logistics cost per unit of goods.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
We will provide tax planning services related to import customs clearance, including VAT deferral application, tax difference calculation, withholding and payment of withholding tax for non-resident enterprises, etc. For consumer goods such as imported maternal and infant products, we will assist enterprises in applying for VAT deferral, so that there is no need to pay value-added tax immediately during customs clearance, easing the cash flow pressure of enterprises.
At the same time, we will accurately calculate the preferential tariff rate according to the information of the certificate of origin of the goods, to ensure that enterprises fully enjoy the most-favored-nation treatment or free trade agreement tax rate, and reduce tariff costs. In addition, we will assist enterprises in handling the pricing compliance review of cross-border related party transactions, to avoid transfer pricing investigations by tax authorities caused by unreasonable pricing, and provide tax risk isolation schemes to isolate the tax risks of the import link from the main risks of the enterprise.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
We will provide payment and receipt compliance services related to import customs clearance, including SWIFT message parsing, foreign exchange purchase rate optimization, CIPS RMB cross-border payment operation guidance, etc. For small-batch, multi-frequency import businesses, we will assist enterprises in formulating batch foreign exchange purchase plans, and reduce exchange difference losses by locking the exchange rate fluctuation range.
At the same time, we will conduct compliance review on the fields of SWIFT messages to ensure that the message information is consistent with the content of customs declarations and purchase contracts, so as to avoid payment failure caused by inconsistent message information. In addition, we will assist enterprises in managing the payment and receipt records of offshore accounts, to ensure that each payment is supported by corresponding compliant documents, meets the supervision requirements of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on payment and receipt, and avoids account freezing or fines caused by non-compliant payment and receipt.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
We will provide legal risk prevention and control services related to import customs clearance, including intellectual property customs protection record filing application, force majeure clause coverage scheme, cargo right transfer agreement review, etc. For categories that may involve intellectual property rights such as imported maternal and infant products, we will assist enterprises in handling intellectual property customs protection record filing, to avoid cargo detention caused by suspected infringement of goods. At the same time, we will review the force majeure clauses in the import contract to ensure that the clauses cover emergencies in the process of customs clearance (such as customs detention, port demurrage), and strive for reasonable exemption space for enterprises.
In addition, we will assist enterprises in drafting cargo right transfer agreements, clarifying the transfer node of cargo right during customs clearance, and avoiding legal disputes caused by unclear ownership of cargo right. For import businesses paid by letter of credit, we will review the soft clauses of the letter of credit to avoid the risk of payment refusal caused by soft clauses.
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
We will provide full escort service for on-site inspection of import customs clearance, including inspection notice interpretation, unpacking inspection response, X-ray inspection operation guidance, etc. For sensitive categories such as imported maternal and infant products, we will predict the key points of inspection in advance (such as product labels, quarantine certificates), and assist enterprises in preparing samples, instructions and other materials required for inspection to ensure smooth passage of inspection. At the same time, we will identify the authenticity of seals to avoid cargo detention caused by abnormal seals.
If there is a need for inspection and appraisal, we will assist enterprises in handling the inspection procedures and follow up the issuance progress of the appraisal report to ensure that the inspection and release are completed in the shortest time. In addition, we will provide immediate rectification plans for the problems found in the inspection, to avoid secondary inspection caused by untimely rectification.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
We will provide compliant packaging services for imported goods, including MSDS compilation and interpretation, moisture-proof reinforcement scheme design, UN dangerous goods packaging certification assistance, etc. For liquid categories in imported maternal and infant products (such as infant milk powder, complementary food oil), we will design an exclusive cushioning packaging scheme to ensure that the goods are not damaged during transportation and customs clearance. At the same time, we will review the compliance of packaging materials according to the MSDS information of the goods to ensure that the packaging meets the requirements of international transportation and customs supervision, and avoid cargo detention caused by non-compliant packaging.
In addition, we will assist enterprises in handling UN dangerous goods packaging certification (if involved), to ensure that the import packaging of dangerous goods meets international standards, and avoid safety risks caused by packaging problems. For small-batch goods, we will provide customized small packaging schemes to reduce packaging costs.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
We will provide supply chain optimization services related to import customs clearance, including inventory linkage strategy formulation, CIF/FOB trade term conversion scheme, cost actuarial model construction, etc. For small-batch, multi-frequency import businesses, we will assist enterprises in formulating JIT (Just In Time) inventory strategies, linking customs clearance efficiency with the inventory needs of enterprises to avoid inventory overstock or out of stock. At the same time, we will provide CIF/FOB trade term conversion schemes according to the actual situation of enterprises to optimize the import cost structure.
In addition, we will build a cost actuarial model for import customs clearance, carry out refined accounting of tariffs, value-added tax, logistics fees, customs clearance service fees, etc., to provide data analysis support for enterprises' cost control. At the same time, we will assist enterprises in optimizing the international trade structure and improving the overall efficiency and anti-risk ability of the supply chain.