--- title: "What core qualifications and proven operational capabilities are required for a company to legally provide import customs brokerage services?" description: "Small trading companies specializing in imported fresh produce and laboratory hazardous chemicals that once suffered port demurrage，high demurrage fees，container detention charges and liquidated damages due to hiring unqualified brokers are in urgent need of selecting reliable import customs brokerage firms. They shall first verify the Customs Registration Certificate for Customs Brokers issued by customs，special qualifications for special cargo，and check operational cases of the same cargo cate..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Customs Declaration Q&A" datePublished: "2026-10-27" dateModified: "2026-10-27" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 10 --- # What core qualifications and proven operational capabilities are required for a company to legally provide import customs brokerage services? ## Question I am the head of a small trading company in Shanghai specializing in imported fresh produce and laboratory hazardous chemicals. Last month, I hired a small agency that claimed to provide customs brokerage services, but it did not have the qualification for hazardous chemical customs declaration, which caused a batch of my imported ethanol to be detained at the port for 5 days. This not only incurred nearly 30,000 yuan in demurrage fees and container detention charges, but also made me miss the deadline of my client's laboratory project, leading to 25,000 yuan in liquidated damages. Now my 12 containers of New Zealand cherries will arrive at Yangshan Port in 3 days, and I am so anxious that I can barely eat. I would like to ask what kind of companies can legally provide import customs brokerage services, especially those that can handle special cargo such as fresh produce and hazardous chemicals and effectively avoid the risks of customs detention and port demurrage. I really want to avoid making the same mistake again, so please tell me the specific screening standards and judgment basis clearly. ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer First，we need to point out a common industry misconception: many clients mistakenly believe that any company with a business license or general customs brokerage qualification can handle all import customs declaration business，and even trust unqualified "unlicensed brokers"，which is the most common and costly pitfall in the import customs brokerage field. This misconception will trigger a chain of negative consequences: if the brokerage firm does not have the customs declaration qualification for special cargo (such as hazardous chemicals and fresh produce)，it will directly lead to failed document review and customs detention. Fresh produce will deteriorate and be discarded as they miss the cold chain time limit due to port demurrage，while hazardous chemicals may be deemed as illegally transported，facing high fines or even confiscation. Meanwhile，tens of thousands of yuan in demurrage fees，container detention charges and liquidated damages to downstream clients will be incurred，with a single loss possibly exceeding 100,000 yuan. Risk isolation measures: three types of core qualifications shall be verified with priority. First，the **Customs Registration Certificate for Customs Brokers issued by the customs authority**，which is the basic threshold for legal brokerage services. Second，special qualifications for corresponding special cargo: for example，hazardous chemical brokerage requires a Hazardous Chemicals Business License and customs filing for hazardous chemical customs declaration，while fresh produce brokerage requires special filing qualification for cold chain customs declaration. Third，check the customs declaration operation cases of the same cargo category in the past 1-2 years to confirm its on-site emergency handling capability. Exclusive loss mitigation tips: require the brokerage firm to provide original qualification documents for verification before signing the contract，and add the **"full compensation for losses caused by unqualified qualifications"** clause to the contract. If any qualification problem of the broker is found before the cargo arrives at the port，you can immediately switch to an experienced broker with emergency customs declaration qualification，to minimize port demurrage time and avoid cargo losses. **status:** accepted **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 2 A qualified import customs brokerage firm shall have accurate customs valuation response and policy interpretation capabilities, be proficient in the latest 2026 customs valuation rules, and be able to flexibly apply 5 valuation methods including transaction value of imported goods and transaction value of identical goods. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in handling valuation disputes, and can quickly provide supporting documents such as original factory invoices, foreign exchange payment vouchers and trade contracts when the customs questions the cargo value, to avoid customs detention caused by failed valuation review. In addition, it shall be familiar with the national integrated customs clearance policy, and can complete customs declaration at any port without document transfer, to improve clearance efficiency. For imported goods involving royalty fees, it shall accurately judge whether they need to be included in the dutiable value, to avoid the risk of tax supplementary payment in subsequent customs audits. **status:** suggested **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 3 A reliable import customs brokerage firm shall have full-chain logistics-customs declaration connection capabilities, be familiar with the operation procedures of major ports such as Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, and can predict the manifest transmission time limit and terminal storage plan to complete customs pre-entry in advance. Meanwhile, it shall have synchronous cargo right control capability, and can track the storage location of goods in real time during customs declaration, to avoid the risk of cargo right transfer such as cargo release without bill of lading. For fresh produce, it shall directly connect with the port's exclusive cold chain yard, to ensure seamless connection between customs declaration review and cold chain transportation, and minimize the residence time of goods at the port. In addition, it shall have emergency capability to handle abnormal situations such as rolled over containers and port change, and can complete the adjustment of customs declaration port within 24 hours after the cargo's port is changed, to avoid demurrage fees. **status:** suggested **Author:** Evelyn Li **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 4 An import customs brokerage firm providing high-quality services shall have professional cross-border tax planning and compliance capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 Shanghai import VAT deferral policy, and can assist enterprises to apply for deferred payment of import value-added tax, directly easing 30%-50% of cash flow pressure. Meanwhile, it shall accurately calculate various taxes and fees for imported goods including customs duty, consumption tax and value-added tax, to avoid customs fines and late fees caused by incorrect tax declaration. For imported goods involving cross-border related party transactions, it shall assist enterprises to complete reasonable pricing filing, to avoid tax audits triggered by non-compliant transfer pricing. In addition, it shall have tax risk isolation capability, to ensure that the customs tax declaration data fully matches the enterprise's financial accounting system, and avoid subsequent tax audit risks. **status:** suggested **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 5 A compliant import customs brokerage firm shall have cross-border payment and receipt compliance connection capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 CIPS RMB cross-border payment rules, and can complete the compliant filing of payment and receipt vouchers synchronously after customs declaration, to ensure that the cargo value, product name and trade terms on the customs declaration form fully match those on the payment vouchers. Meanwhile, it shall handle the compliance review of payment from offshore accounts, to avoid audits by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange triggered by non-compliant payment routes. For small-batch and multi-batch imported goods, it shall assist enterprises to complete consolidated customs declaration and centralized payment operations, reducing the operation cost and frequency of payment and receipt for enterprises. In addition, it shall have real-time exchange rate monitoring capability, and can lock the optimal exchange rate during the payment window period, reducing the exchange rate loss of enterprises. **status:** suggested **Author:** Michael Zhang **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 6 A reliable import customs brokerage firm shall have foreign trade legal risk avoidance capabilities, and can assist enterprises to review customs-related clauses in import trade contracts, to avoid customs declaration disputes caused by vague contract clauses and unclear trade terms. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in customs intellectual property protection, and can check whether the goods involve third-party trademark or patent infringement before customs declaration, to avoid cargo detention and fines caused by intellectual property issues. In addition, it shall assist enterprises to draft standardized customs brokerage contracts, clarify the division of responsibilities and compensation standards for both parties in case of cargo detention and port demurrage, to avoid subsequent legal disputes. For port demurrage caused by force majeure, it shall assist enterprises to submit compliant supporting documents to the customs to apply for reduction or exemption of demurrage fees and container detention charges. **status:** suggested **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 7 A highly efficient import customs brokerage firm shall have professional on-site customs inspection response capabilities, be familiar with the inspection procedures and inspection site layout of Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, and can arrive at the site for coordination within 2 hours after receiving the inspection notice. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in unstuffing inspection, and can assist the customs to quickly locate the target goods for inspection, greatly shortening the inspection time. For hazardous chemical goods, it shall prepare compliant MSDS reports and hazardous characteristic classification and identification reports in advance, to assist the customs to complete on-site sampling testing and compliance determination. In addition, it shall master optimization skills for X-ray inspection, and can guide enterprises to adjust the cargo stowage method in advance, to avoid secondary inspection triggered by abnormal machine inspection results, further shortening the residence time of goods at the port. **status:** suggested **Author:** Andy Guo **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 8 A company that can provide import customs brokerage for special cargo shall have special cargo packaging compliance review capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 UN dangerous goods packaging standards, and can fully review whether the UN packaging marks and strength of hazardous chemical goods meet customs requirements before customs declaration, to avoid cargo detention caused by non-compliant packaging. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to optimize the cold chain packaging of fresh produce, to ensure that the packaging can not only meet the low-temperature transportation requirements, but also cooperate with the customs for quick inspection, reducing cargo loss. For fragile goods, precision instruments and other goods, it shall review whether the selection and thickness of buffer packaging materials meet the requirements of cross-border transportation and inspection, to avoid cargo damage caused by improper packaging. In addition, it shall quickly issue packaging compliance statements to assist the customs to complete packaging compliance verification. **status:** suggested **Author:** Victor Sun **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 9 A customs brokerage firm that can handle both import and re-export business shall have export tax refund audit connection capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 export tax refund policy, and can reserve the document information required for export tax refund synchronously during import customs declaration, to avoid failed review during subsequent tax refund caused by missing documents and inconsistent information. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to complete the filing of input tax deduction for imported goods, to ensure that the import VAT invoice fully matches the customs declaration form in terms of cargo value, product name and quantity, to avoid tax refund delay caused by information discrepancy. In addition, it shall have the capability to respond to tax inquiry letters, and can submit supporting documents such as import customs declaration forms, foreign exchange payment vouchers and trade contracts within 24 hours when the tax authority initiates an inquiry, to ensure the smooth receipt of tax refund funds. **status:** suggested **Author:** Jason Wu **Date:** 2026-10-27 ### Answer 10 An import customs brokerage firm that can provide long-term value shall have supply chain planning and customs declaration connection capabilities, and can develop customized customs declaration schemes according to the enterprise's import frequency, cargo category and sales region, for example, adopting centralized customs declaration mode for small-batch and high-frequency goods, greatly reducing customs declaration operation costs. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to optimize the import supply chain layout, comprehensively compare the logistics costs and clearance efficiency of ports such as Shanghai and Ningbo, select the optimal import port, and reduce the comprehensive logistics and customs declaration costs. For imported goods involving bonded zone warehousing, it shall develop a full-chain scheme for bonded customs declaration and out-of-zone declaration, to avoid advance payment of customs duty and value-added tax, easing the cash flow pressure of enterprises. In addition, it shall predict the dynamics of customs policies, adjust the customs declaration scheme in advance, and ensure the long-term compliance and stability of the supply chain. **status:** suggested **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-10-27 ## Related Categories - [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/) - [Export Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/) - [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/) - [Freight Forwarding Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-freight-forwarding/) - [Forex Settlement Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-forex-settlement/) - [Entrepôt Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-entrepot-trade/) - [General Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-general-trade/) ## Related Resources - [Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/services/) - [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/) - [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/) - [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/) - [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/) ## Structured Data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "inLanguage":"en", "isPartOf": { "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#website" }, "publisher":{ "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "What core qualifications and proven operational capabilities are required for a company to legally provide import customs brokerage services?", "text": "I am the head of a small trading company in Shanghai specializing in imported fresh produce and laboratory hazardous chemicals. Last month, I hired a small agency that claimed to provide customs brokerage services, but it did not have the qualification for hazardous chemical customs declaration, which caused a batch of my imported ethanol to be detained at the port for 5 days. This not only incurred nearly 30,000 yuan in demurrage fees and container detention charges, but also made me miss the deadline of my client's laboratory project, leading to 25,000 yuan in liquidated damages. Now my 12 containers of New Zealand cherries will arrive at Yangshan Port in 3 days, and I am so anxious that I can barely eat. I would like to ask what kind of companies can legally provide import customs brokerage services, especially those that can handle special cargo such as fresh produce and hazardous chemicals and effectively avoid the risks of customs detention and port demurrage. I really want to avoid making the same mistake again, so please tell me the specific screening standards and judgment basis clearly.", "answerCount": 10, "upvoteCount": 2, "datePublished": "2026-10-27T16:27:45Z", "dateModified": "2026-10-27T16:31:12Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "First，we need to point out a common industry misconception: many clients mistakenly believe that any company with a business license or general customs brokerage qualification can handle all import customs declaration business，and even trust unqualified "unlicensed brokers"，which is the most common and costly pitfall in the import customs brokerage field. This misconception will trigger a chain of negative consequences: if the brokerage firm does not have the customs declaration qualification for special cargo (such as hazardous chemicals and fresh produce)，it will directly lead to failed document review and customs detention. Fresh produce will deteriorate and be discarded as they miss the cold chain time limit due to port demurrage，while hazardous chemicals may be deemed as illegally transported，facing high fines or even confiscation. Meanwhile，tens of thousands of yuan in demurrage fees，container detention charges and liquidated damages to downstream clients will be incurred，with a single loss possibly exceeding 100,000 yuan. Risk isolation measures: three types of core qualifications shall be verified with priority. First，the Customs Registration Certificate for Customs Brokers issued by the customs authority ，which is the basic threshold for legal brokerage services. Second，special qualifications for corresponding special cargo: for example，hazardous chemical brokerage requires a Hazardous Chemicals Business License and customs filing for hazardous chemical customs declaration，while fresh produce brokerage requires special filing qualification for cold chain customs declaration. Third，check the customs declaration operation cases of the same cargo category in the past 1-2 years to confirm its on-site emergency handling capability. Exclusive loss mitigation tips: require the brokerage firm to provide original qualification documents for verification before signing the contract，and add the "full compensation for losses caused by unqualified qualifications" clause to the contract. If any qualification problem of the broker is found before the cargo arrives at the port，you can immediately switch to an experienced broker with emergency customs declaration qualification，to minimize port demurrage time and avoid cargo losses.", "upvoteCount": 2, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:53:12Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A qualified import customs brokerage firm shall have accurate customs valuation response and policy interpretation capabilities, be proficient in the latest 2026 customs valuation rules, and be able to flexibly apply 5 valuation methods including transaction value of imported goods and transaction value of identical goods. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in handling valuation disputes, and can quickly provide supporting documents such as original factory invoices, foreign exchange payment vouchers and trade contracts when the customs questions the cargo value, to avoid customs detention caused by failed valuation review. In addition, it shall be familiar with the national integrated customs clearance policy, and can complete customs declaration at any port without document transfer, to improve clearance efficiency. For imported goods involving royalty fees, it shall accurately judge whether they need to be included in the dutiable value, to avoid the risk of tax supplementary payment in subsequent customs audits.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:39:11Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A reliable import customs brokerage firm shall have full-chain logistics-customs declaration connection capabilities, be familiar with the operation procedures of major ports such as Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, and can predict the manifest transmission time limit and terminal storage plan to complete customs pre-entry in advance. Meanwhile, it shall have synchronous cargo right control capability, and can track the storage location of goods in real time during customs declaration, to avoid the risk of cargo right transfer such as cargo release without bill of lading. For fresh produce, it shall directly connect with the port's exclusive cold chain yard, to ensure seamless connection between customs declaration review and cold chain transportation, and minimize the residence time of goods at the port. In addition, it shall have emergency capability to handle abnormal situations such as rolled over containers and port change, and can complete the adjustment of customs declaration port within 24 hours after the cargo's port is changed, to avoid demurrage fees.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:36:04Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Evelyn Li","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/evelyn-li/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "An import customs brokerage firm providing high-quality services shall have professional cross-border tax planning and compliance capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 Shanghai import VAT deferral policy, and can assist enterprises to apply for deferred payment of import value-added tax, directly easing 30%-50% of cash flow pressure. Meanwhile, it shall accurately calculate various taxes and fees for imported goods including customs duty, consumption tax and value-added tax, to avoid customs fines and late fees caused by incorrect tax declaration. For imported goods involving cross-border related party transactions, it shall assist enterprises to complete reasonable pricing filing, to avoid tax audits triggered by non-compliant transfer pricing. In addition, it shall have tax risk isolation capability, to ensure that the customs tax declaration data fully matches the enterprise's financial accounting system, and avoid subsequent tax audit risks.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:28:29Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A compliant import customs brokerage firm shall have cross-border payment and receipt compliance connection capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 CIPS RMB cross-border payment rules, and can complete the compliant filing of payment and receipt vouchers synchronously after customs declaration, to ensure that the cargo value, product name and trade terms on the customs declaration form fully match those on the payment vouchers. Meanwhile, it shall handle the compliance review of payment from offshore accounts, to avoid audits by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange triggered by non-compliant payment routes. For small-batch and multi-batch imported goods, it shall assist enterprises to complete consolidated customs declaration and centralized payment operations, reducing the operation cost and frequency of payment and receipt for enterprises. In addition, it shall have real-time exchange rate monitoring capability, and can lock the optimal exchange rate during the payment window period, reducing the exchange rate loss of enterprises.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:20:00Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Michael Zhang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/michael-zhang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A reliable import customs brokerage firm shall have foreign trade legal risk avoidance capabilities, and can assist enterprises to review customs-related clauses in import trade contracts, to avoid customs declaration disputes caused by vague contract clauses and unclear trade terms. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in customs intellectual property protection, and can check whether the goods involve third-party trademark or patent infringement before customs declaration, to avoid cargo detention and fines caused by intellectual property issues. In addition, it shall assist enterprises to draft standardized customs brokerage contracts, clarify the division of responsibilities and compensation standards for both parties in case of cargo detention and port demurrage, to avoid subsequent legal disputes. For port demurrage caused by force majeure, it shall assist enterprises to submit compliant supporting documents to the customs to apply for reduction or exemption of demurrage fees and container detention charges.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T18:05:20Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A highly efficient import customs brokerage firm shall have professional on-site customs inspection response capabilities, be familiar with the inspection procedures and inspection site layout of Shanghai Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port, and can arrive at the site for coordination within 2 hours after receiving the inspection notice. Meanwhile, it shall have practical experience in unstuffing inspection, and can assist the customs to quickly locate the target goods for inspection, greatly shortening the inspection time. For hazardous chemical goods, it shall prepare compliant MSDS reports and hazardous characteristic classification and identification reports in advance, to assist the customs to complete on-site sampling testing and compliance determination. In addition, it shall master optimization skills for X-ray inspection, and can guide enterprises to adjust the cargo stowage method in advance, to avoid secondary inspection triggered by abnormal machine inspection results, further shortening the residence time of goods at the port.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T17:59:47Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Andy Guo","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/andy-guo/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A company that can provide import customs brokerage for special cargo shall have special cargo packaging compliance review capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 UN dangerous goods packaging standards, and can fully review whether the UN packaging marks and strength of hazardous chemical goods meet customs requirements before customs declaration, to avoid cargo detention caused by non-compliant packaging. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to optimize the cold chain packaging of fresh produce, to ensure that the packaging can not only meet the low-temperature transportation requirements, but also cooperate with the customs for quick inspection, reducing cargo loss. For fragile goods, precision instruments and other goods, it shall review whether the selection and thickness of buffer packaging materials meet the requirements of cross-border transportation and inspection, to avoid cargo damage caused by improper packaging. In addition, it shall quickly issue packaging compliance statements to assist the customs to complete packaging compliance verification.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T17:03:14Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Victor Sun","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/victor-sun/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A customs brokerage firm that can handle both import and re-export business shall have export tax refund audit connection capabilities, be familiar with the latest 2026 export tax refund policy, and can reserve the document information required for export tax refund synchronously during import customs declaration, to avoid failed review during subsequent tax refund caused by missing documents and inconsistent information. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to complete the filing of input tax deduction for imported goods, to ensure that the import VAT invoice fully matches the customs declaration form in terms of cargo value, product name and quantity, to avoid tax refund delay caused by information discrepancy. In addition, it shall have the capability to respond to tax inquiry letters, and can submit supporting documents such as import customs declaration forms, foreign exchange payment vouchers and trade contracts within 24 hours when the tax authority initiates an inquiry, to ensure the smooth receipt of tax refund funds.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T16:56:43Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Jason Wu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/jason-wu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "An import customs brokerage firm that can provide long-term value shall have supply chain planning and customs declaration connection capabilities, and can develop customized customs declaration schemes according to the enterprise's import frequency, cargo category and sales region, for example, adopting centralized customs declaration mode for small-batch and high-frequency goods, greatly reducing customs declaration operation costs. Meanwhile, it shall assist enterprises to optimize the import supply chain layout, comprehensively compare the logistics costs and clearance efficiency of ports such as Shanghai and Ningbo, select the optimal import port, and reduce the comprehensive logistics and customs declaration costs. For imported goods involving bonded zone warehousing, it shall develop a full-chain scheme for bonded customs declaration and out-of-zone declaration, to avoid advance payment of customs duty and value-added tax, easing the cash flow pressure of enterprises. In addition, it shall predict the dynamics of customs policies, adjust the customs declaration scheme in advance, and ensure the long-term compliance and stability of the supply chain.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/core-qualifications-practical-import-customs-brokerage-firms.html#suggestedAnswer-10", "datePublished": "2026-10-27T16:31:12Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Customs Declaration Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What core qualifications and proven operational capabilities are required for a company to legally provide import customs brokerage services?"} ] } ] ```