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What is the full process of express import customs brokerage? How to avoid the risk of customs detention and port storage?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I run a cross-border beauty e-commerce business. Last week, a batch of niche beauty products shipped via express from Japan was handled by a small agency for import customs clearance.
It was detained because the format of the certificate of origin did not meet customs requirements. We not only incurred more than 3,000 RMB in port detention fees, but also delayed stocking for the 618 Grand Promotion, which made me extremely anxious.
Now this batch of goods has just been processed, and the next batch of more than 100 beauty products is about to be shipped. I want to find a professional agency, but I have no idea what the specific operation of professional express import customs brokerage is, how to ensure document compliance and avoid detention, whether there are ways to optimize customs costs such as VAT deferral, and whether there are emergency response plans in case abnormalities occur again?
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
First of all，pre-document review is required，which is the core prerequisite for express import customs declaration. Documents such as express waybill，commercial invoice，certificate of origin and quality inspection report need to be checked in advance.Key focus is to confirm whether the format of the certificate of origin complies with the latest customs regulations (In 2026，customs requires that the last 6 digits of the HS code of the goods shall be marked on the certificate of origin). The value and product name on the commercial invoice must be completely consistent with the express waybill，to avoid customs detention triggered by inconsistent documents.
Core nodes require seamless connection: The agency shall complete pre-review of documents and submit advance declaration to customs 24 hours before the express arrives at the port. After arrival，it directly connects with the express company to synchronize manifest information，avoiding port detention fees caused by delayed manifest information. At the same time，it shall follow up the progress of customs document review synchronously. If a price verification query is received，supporting documents such as purchase contracts and payment vouchers shall be provided within 12 hours to ensure a smooth document review process.
Contingency plans for abnormalities shall be formulated in advance: For common abnormalities such as customs detention and price objection，supplementary document templates and price supporting material libraries shall be prepared in advance. If goods are detained due to document problems，supplementary documents can be completed and submitted to customs within 4 hours，if inspection is required，an exclusive on-site staff shall be arranged to attend for cooperation within 2 hours to avoid delay.
After final compliance implementation，customs declaration archiving and tax voucher sorting shall be completed synchronously. If eligible for VAT deferral (cross-border e-commerce imported beauty products can enjoy VAT deferral in 2026)，we can assist in handling the deferral procedures，reduce capital occupation cost，and ensure full-process compliance and optimal cost.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to focus on the compliance of the customs price verification link. In 2026, customs adopts the dual standard of "price comparison + voucher support" for price verification of express imported goods. If the declared value is lower than 80% of the customs reference price, it will directly trigger a price verification query.
Supporting materials such as purchase contracts, payment slips and transaction records of overseas e-commerce platforms shall be prepared in advance to avoid deletion and re-declaration caused by price objection. In case of pending account, the pending application and supplementary supporting materials shall be submitted within 3 working days, otherwise the enterprise will be included in the customs key supervision list and affect the customs clearance efficiency of subsequent goods.
At the same time, it is necessary to ensure accurate HS code classification of the customs declaration. In 2026, customs added new subdivision rules for HS code classification of beauty products, which requires accurate classification according to the composition and use of the products, to avoid customs detention triggered by incorrect classification.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to synchronously optimize the connection between logistics routes and manifests. In 2026, Shanghai Port requires that manifest information of express imported goods shall be submitted 24 hours in advance. If the manifest information does not match the customs declaration information, the goods will not be cleared. It is necessary to select express enterprises directly connected with the customs system to ensure real-time synchronization of manifest information. At the same time, pay attention to the transportation route of the express.
If the goods are transshipped from a third country, a transshipment certificate from the transit country shall be provided to avoid customs inspection triggered by missing transshipment information. In case of warehouse congestion, rolled container and other situations, communicate with the express enterprise in advance to change the port or transfer the warehouse, so as to avoid extra costs caused by goods detention. In addition, the free storage period of the express shall be confirmed. In 2026, the free storage period of express goods at Shanghai Port is 3 days, and the port detention fee will be charged per day after exceeding the free storage period, so the customs clearance plan shall be arranged in advance.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage can optimize costs through the VAT deferral policy. In 2026, for express imported goods under cross-border e-commerce B2C mode at Shanghai Port, if it meets the conditions of "declared value per shipment no more than 5000 RMB, annual cumulative no more than 26000 RMB", it can enjoy the VAT deferral policy. There is no need to pay import VAT at the time of customs clearance, but pay it uniformly in the monthly declaration, which reduces the cost of capital occupation. At the same time, pay attention to tax difference optimization.
If the goods are imported from a country that has signed a free trade agreement with China, providing a compliant certificate of origin can enjoy tariff reduction. In 2026, the maximum tariff reduction for beauty products under the China-Japan Free Trade Agreement can reach 15%, so the validity of the certificate of origin shall be confirmed in advance. In addition, tax risks caused by false value declaration shall be avoided. If the customs determines that the value is underreported, it will face penalties such as tax repayment and fine.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to pay attention to the compliance of cross-border payment and settlement. In 2026, the People's Bank of China has further tightened the regulatory requirements for cross-border payment and settlement. The payment amount of express imported goods must be completely consistent with the value and product name on the customs declaration, so as to avoid foreign exchange regulatory warning triggered by inconsistent payment amount and declaration amount.
If cross-border RMB payment (CIPS system) is adopted, it is necessary to ensure that the customs declaration number and product name are accurately marked in the remark of SWIFT message, so as to avoid payment failure caused by incomplete message information. At the same time, pay attention to the compliance of the use of offshore accounts.
If payment is made through an offshore account, supporting materials such as purchase contracts and customs declarations shall be submitted to the bank in advance, so as to avoid affecting payment due to account freezing. In addition, the payment and settlement records shall be archived regularly, and the storage period shall be no less than 5 years for inspection by customs and foreign exchange administrative departments.
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to pay attention to customs intellectual property protection. In 2026, customs has further increased the intensity of intellectual property inspection on cross-border e-commerce express imported goods. If the goods involve trademark infringement or patent infringement, they will be directly detained and confiscated.
The intellectual property of the goods shall be checked in advance. If an authorized trademark is used, the notarized and authenticated trademark authorization document shall be provided to avoid infringement detention triggered by non-compliant authorization documents. At the same time, the ownership of intellectual property and infringement liability shall be clearly defined in the purchase contract.
If the goods provided by the supplier involve infringement, it shall be agreed that the supplier bears all responsibilities, including port detention fees, fines and brand losses. In addition, pay attention to the stipulation of force majeure clauses. If the goods cannot be cleared due to customs policy adjustment, the responsibility division of both parties shall be stipulated in the contract to avoid legal disputes.
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to make preparations for on-site inspection. In 2026, the inspection rate of express imported goods at Shanghai Port is about 15%. If the goods are selected for inspection, materials such as product samples, quality inspection reports and certificates of origin shall be prepared in advance, and personnel familiar with customs inspection procedures shall be arranged to attend for cooperation. Pay attention to the packaging marking of the goods.
If the goods are beauty products, Chinese labels shall be marked on the packaging, and the label content shall comply with the requirements of the Regulations on Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics, so as to avoid customs detention triggered by unqualified labels. At the same time, cooperate with customs to complete the unpacking inspection. If the goods are fragile, notify the customs inspection personnel in advance to avoid damage to the goods during inspection. In addition, if the customs requires inspection and testing, the inspection application shall be completed within 24 hours to ensure the timely issuance of the test report and avoid delaying the customs clearance progress.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to pay attention to the packaging compliance of goods. In 2026, customs has further tightened the packaging requirements for imported beauty products via express. If the goods are liquid beauty products that fall into the category of dangerous goods, they shall use UN dangerous goods packaging, and the UN number, hazard category and other information shall be marked on the packaging, so as to avoid customs detention triggered by non-compliant packaging. At the same time, do a good job of moisture-proof reinforcement.
If the goods are powder beauty products, use double-layer sealed packaging to avoid quality deterioration caused by moisture, and avoid safety warning triggered by powder leakage during inspection. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the product name, quantity, HS code and other information on the packaging are completely consistent with the customs declaration, so as to avoid inspection triggered by inconsistent packaging information and declaration information. The packaging compliance review shall be carried out in advance to ensure that it meets the packaging requirements of customs and express enterprises.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
Express import customs brokerage needs to optimize customs clearance efficiency in combination with supply chain planning. In 2026, the customs clearance efficiency of cross-border e-commerce express imported goods directly affects inventory turnover. The customs clearance process shall be connected with the inventory management system to realize real-time synchronization of customs declaration information and inventory information, so as to avoid stock-out or over-selling caused by delayed inventory information. At the same time, the customs clearance time shall be planned according to the sales cycle of the goods.
If the goods are stocked for promotion, complete customs clearance 7-10 days in advance to ensure that the goods are put into storage before the promotion. In addition, the use of CIF trade term can transfer the responsibilities of customs clearance and transportation to the supplier, reducing the enterprise's own operational risk, but the supplier's customs clearance responsibility and breach of contract clauses shall be clearly defined in the contract. A cost actuarial model shall be established to comprehensively consider costs such as customs declaration fee, transportation fee and tax, select the optimal customs clearance plan, and achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement.