---
title: "What Business Does Import Commodity Customs Clearance Cover, What Core Operations and Compliance Requirements Are Involving?"
description: "Enterprises new to import business often face risks of port staying and cargo detention due to unfamiliarity with customs clearance rules，and even incur high container detention fees. Import commodity customs clearance refers to the full-process compliance operations including declaration，inspection，taxation and release to the customs when goods enter the country. Through advance document verification，connection of core nodes and formulation of contingency plans，it can ensure fast and compliant..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/import-commodity-customs-clearance-core-operations-compliance-requirements.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "Customs Declaration Q&A"
datePublished: "2026-09-27"
dateModified: "2026-09-27"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 8
---

# What Business Does Import Commodity Customs Clearance Cover, What Core Operations and Compliance Requirements Are Involving?

## Question

 I am the head of a newly transformed cross-border e-commerce enterprise based in Shanghai. I just purchased a batch of niche color cosmetics from South Korea last week. My freight forwarder notified that the container is expected to arrive at Yangshan Port next week, and specially reminded me yesterday to prepare customs clearance documents in advance, otherwise there may be port congestion and cargo detention, and I will have to pay high container detention fees and late fines. I have always been engaged in domestic e-commerce before and have never touched import business at all. I am really nervous right now. I neither know what import commodity customs clearance exactly is, nor what mandatory operations it includes, and I am even more afraid that I will miss required documents due to unfamiliarity with the process, which will lead to cargo detention, make me miss the mid-year big promotion next month, and even have to pay penalty to the platform. Could you explain this to me in detail? 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

Import commodity customs clearance refers to the full-process compliance operations including declaration，inspection，taxation and release completed by the enterprise or its agent to the customs when goods enter the country，which is a core link to ensure goods legally enter the domestic market.

Advance document verification is the key prerequisite of customs clearance. It is necessary to focus on checking the consistency of **Certificate of Origin，packing list，commercial invoice，bill of lading** to ensure accurate classification of commodity coding (HS code) — this is the core to avoid subsequent valuation disputes and cargo detention. For example，for color cosmetic products，an additional cosmetics registration certificate is required. If the registration information does not match the actual goods，it will directly trigger upgraded customs inspection.

Core node connection requires synchronous coordination among freight forwarders，customs brokers and warehouses: 24 hours before cargo arrival at the port，the customs broker needs to complete pre-declaration，submit paper documents within 12 hours after arrival to connect with the customs document review session，if inspection is triggered，cooperate with container unpacking and sample submission within 24 hours to avoid port congestion.

Contingency plans need to be formulated in advance: if there is a dispute over HS code classification，immediately provide product composition reports and brand authorization letters as proof，if there is a port congestion warning，apply for extension of the free storage period immediately，or coordinate transfer to a nearby bonded warehouse for temporary storage. After final compliance approval，all documents must be retained for no less than 5 years for future customs audit，to ensure compliance with the requirements of the *Administrative Measures for Import Goods Customs Clearance* updated by the General Administration of Customs of China in 2026.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Victor Sun
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 2

The core of import commodity customs clearance is to complete compliance declaration to the customs, and the valuation link is a high-frequency dispute point. In 2026, customs valuation mainly adopts the "comparable transaction price method". If the declared price of an enterprise is more than 30% lower than the average import price of the same category in the same period, it will trigger a valuation inquiry. At this time, you need to immediately provide payment vouchers, brand authorization agreements, purchase and sales contracts and other supporting documents to avoid re-valuation by the customs. If declaration error is caused by wrong HS code classification, you need to submit the *Commodity Classification Confirmation Letter* within 48 hours after the customs issues the inquiry, and apply for document deletion and re-declaration, otherwise it will be counted as an enterprise credit deduction and affect subsequent customs clearance timeliness.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Daniel Xu
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 3

The timeliness of import commodity customs clearance directly affects logistics costs. In 2026, the free storage period for ordinary containers at Yangshan Port is 7 days, container detention fees increase daily starting from the 8th day, and the rate doubles after the 15th day.

If port congestion occurs due to customs clearance delay, you need to immediately apply for an extension of the free storage period from the shipping company, or coordinate transfer of goods to a nearby bonded warehouse for temporary storage to avoid high container detention fees. At the same time, confirm the pre-declaration time with the customs broker in advance to ensure that the customs clearance process can start immediately after cargo arrival, and avoid the risk of rolling container and space congestion caused by waiting for documents.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Eric Zhou
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 4

Tariff and value-added tax involved in import commodity customs clearance are one of the core costs for enterprises. In 2026, cross-border e-commerce enterprises in Shanghai Customs District can apply for the **VAT Deferral** policy, which does not require payment of value-added tax during customs clearance, and can defer payment to the tax declaration period, easing the cash flow pressure of enterprises. At the same time, if imported goods comply with RCEP rules of origin, enterprises can enjoy tariff reduction with a valid certificate of origin, with a maximum of 100% tariff reduction. It should be noted that VAT deferral is only applicable to compliantly registered cross-border e-commerce enterprises, and you need to file with the tax authority in advance to avoid being unable to enjoy policy benefits due to unqualified qualifications.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Kevin Lin
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 5

After completion of import commodity customs clearance, compliance of cross-border payment needs to be completed simultaneously. In 2026, the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system has achieved full-time settlement, and enterprises can prioritize RMB payment to avoid exchange rate fluctuation risks. It is necessary to ensure that the payment amount is consistent with the dutiable price on the customs declaration.

If there are situations such as third-party payment and cost allocation, you need to file with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in advance to avoid being identified as illegal foreign exchange receipt and payment. At the same time, retain payment vouchers, customs declarations, and purchase and sales contracts for no less than 5 years for future inspection by the foreign exchange administration.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Andy Guo
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 6

Intellectual property compliance should be noted during import commodity customs clearance. In 2026, customs have strengthened the investigation and punishment of infringing goods. If imported goods involve intellectual property rights such as brands, patents and copyrights, you need to apply for intellectual property protection filing with the customs in advance to avoid cargo detention due to suspected infringement.

At the same time, ensure that the bill of lading endorsement is complete and the ownership transfer is clear — if a telex release bill of lading is used, you need to provide the telex release guarantee issued by the shipping company to avoid being unable to pick up the container due to ownership disputes. In addition, the division of customs clearance responsibilities should be clearly defined in the purchase and sales contract, and clear compensation clauses should be included if cargo detention is caused by the agent's mistake.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Linda Gao
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 7

If customs inspection is triggered during import commodity customs clearance, prepare product composition reports, samples, brand authorization letters and other materials in advance. During on-site inspection, cooperate with customs officers to complete container unpacking inspection. For color cosmetic products, ensure the packaging is complete, and unopened samples can avoid unnecessary laboratory testing.

If customs takes samples for testing, retain the sample submission certificate. The testing cycle is usually 3-7 days, and you can apply for priority testing to shorten customs clearance timeliness. At the same time, check that the seal number matches the information on the bill of lading. If the seal is damaged, immediately confirm the cargo status with the freight forwarder to avoid being identified as cargo damage.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Cindy Chen
**Date:** 2026-09-27

### Answer 8

Import commodity customs clearance is a core node of the supply chain, and needs to be planned in linkage with procurement, warehousing and sales links. In 2026, enterprises can realize automatic synchronization of customs clearance documents, purchase orders and inventory systems through SCM systems, predict customs clearance timeliness in advance and adjust sales stocking plans.

If customs clearance is delayed, immediately activate the alternative supply chain plan, such as transferring inventory from domestic bonded warehouses to avoid affecting sales. At the same time, by optimizing trade terms, customs clearance responsibilities can be transferred to professional agents, reducing the enterprise's own compliance risk and improving the overall efficiency of the supply chain.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Grace Wang
**Date:** 2026-09-27

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