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How to Connect Core Nodes of the Full Import Customs Declaration Process and What Are the Key Notes for Compliance Implementation?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am the head of a small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprise that has operated for 1 year in Shanghai. A batch of precision testing instruments I ordered from Germany last week will arrive at Yangshan Port next week. This is our first time doing import business, and we have never been exposed to the customs declaration process before, so I am too anxious to fall asleep.
When sorting out documents just now, I found that the HS code on the certificate of origin seems to have a slight discrepancy with the customs code provided by the freight forwarder. I am also afraid of missing any key documents, and more worried that port detention or customs seizure will occur due to wrong process connection after arrival.
Not only will I have to pay high port storage fees, but it will also delay the delivery time to my domestic customer. If I get fined by the customs, it will only make the situation worse. I would like to ask how I can complete this import customs declaration smoothly?
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
First of all，for pre-document review details，you need to focus on checking the consistency of core documents (certificate of origin，INVOICE，packing list，bill of lading and HS code): The commodity code on the certificate of origin must fully match the HS code confirmed by the customs. If there is a slight discrepancy，you need to contact the supplier immediately to correct the certificate of origin. The commodity value on the INVOICE must be consistent with the amount on the official trade contract. The number，weight and dimensions on the packing list must be consistent with the marks on the bill of lading，so as to avoid direct customs seizure triggered by inconsistent documents.
Secondly，for the connection of core nodes，you need to submit the reviewed documents to the customs broker for pre-entry 3 days before the cargo arrives at the port，and simultaneously confirm whether the customs manifest information has been transmitted accurately，Follow up the document review result within 12 hours after the declaration is completed. If you receive review queries，you need to supplement supporting materials such as product test reports and cost breakdown within 4 hours，to ensure seamless connection and no delay at each node.
You need to formulate an abnormal contingency plan in advance: If customs control inspection is triggered，contact professional on-site personnel to cooperate with devanning immediately，and prepare the original packaging of the goods and product instructions in advance，If you receive a document correction notice，arrange a dedicated person to connect with the customs window，and strive to complete document correction within 24 hours，to avoid port detention.
After the final compliance implementation，you need to keep all customs declaration documents and trade materials for at least 3 years，for subsequent customs verification，to ensure a compliance closed loop for the whole process.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
When conducting import customs declaration, you need to focus on the customs valuation link. If the deviation between the declared price and the price of similar goods in the customs system exceeds 15%, it will most likely trigger a valuation query. At this time, you need to provide supporting materials such as purchase contracts, payment receipts, and product cost breakdown.
If you cannot provide valid materials, the customs will levy tax according to the customs value of similar goods. If you need to cancel the declaration and re-declare due to declaration error, you need to submit the cancellation application within 24 hours after receiving the customs notice, and supplement the correct declaration data at the same time, to avoid cargo port detention caused by overdue. In addition, you need to ensure that the "domestic consignee" and "consumer and user unit" on the customs declaration are consistent with the actual receiving and shipping entity, so as to avoid subsequent tax verification risks caused by inconsistent entities.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
You need to confirm the free storage period and detention fee charging standard with the freight forwarder in advance before import customs declaration. The free storage period for ordinary containers at Yangshan Port is 7 days, and the detention fee is charged daily from the 8th day after arrival.
The rate is doubled from the 8th to the 14th day, and tripled from the 15th day. If you expect the customs declaration process may be delayed, you need to apply for an extension of the free storage period 3 days before the free storage period expires. Generally, you can extend it for 3-5 days, which can avoid high detention fees.
In addition, you need to confirm whether the endorsement of the bill of lading is compliant. If it is a telex release bill of lading, you need to ensure that the signature on the telex release guarantee is completely consistent with the signature of the shipper on the bill of lading, so as to avoid being unable to pick up the goods due to cargo title issues.
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat
You can apply for VAT deferral policy for import customs declaration, which allows you not to pay import VAT immediately at the time of declaration, but offset it in the subsequent VAT declaration period, effectively easing the cash flow pressure of enterprises. There are two conditions to meet to apply for VAT deferral: first, the enterprise is a general taxpayer; second, the goods are ultimately used for production, operation or sales.
It should be noted that the VAT deferral declaration needs to be synchronized with the customs declaration data. If there is a data deviation, it may trigger tax verification. In addition, if the imported goods are subject to anti-dumping duties, you need to confirm the levy standard of anti-dumping duties in advance, so as to avoid subsequent tax penalties caused by underpayment of anti-dumping duties.
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat
After the import customs declaration is completed, you need to complete the foreign exchange payment within 90 days after the cargo arrives at the port. If you cannot pay on time due to special circumstances, you need to apply for an extension to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange before the payment deadline expires, and the maximum extension is 90 days.
When making payment, you need to ensure that the "transaction remark" in the SWIFT message is consistent with the cargo name on the customs declaration, so as to avoid foreign exchange verification caused by inconsistent transaction remarks. In addition, if you use RMB cross-border payment (CIPS), you need to confirm that the payee's bank account supports the CIPS system, to avoid payment delay caused by payment channel problems, which will affect the subsequent customs declaration verification.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
If the imported precision instrument involves patents or trademarks, you need to complete the intellectual property customs protection filing with the General Administration of Customs in advance, to avoid the goods being detained by the customs on suspicion of infringement. You need to provide intellectual property certificates, right holder identification, description of suspected infringing goods and other materials when filing.
In addition, the trade contract should clearly specify the "force majeure clause". If delivery delay is caused by non-enterprise reasons such as customs seizure and port detention, part of the liability for breach of contract can be exempted according to the clause. At the same time, you need to confirm that the "notify party" on the bill of lading is the designated contact person of the enterprise, so as to avoid port detention caused by untimely notification.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
If the imported cargo triggers customs control inspection after arrival at the port, you need to prepare the original packaging, product instructions, test reports and other materials in advance, and cooperate with customs officers to complete the devanning inspection. For precision instruments, you need to avoid direct contact with core components by customs officers.
You can prepare protective gloves and dust covers in advance, and explain the precision of the cargo to the inspectors, so as to strive for machine inspection instead of manual devanning. If the customs requires laboratory testing after inspection, you need to submit the testing application within 3 days after receiving the notification, and follow up the testing progress at the same time, to avoid port detention caused by testing delay.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
You need to confirm the selection of trade terms before import customs declaration. If you adopt FOB term, the enterprise needs to bear the international logistics freight and insurance premium by itself, so you need to confirm the freight breakdown with the freight forwarder in advance to avoid hidden costs.
If you adopt CIF term, you need to confirm that the insured amount of the insurance policy provided by the seller is 110% of the cargo value, and the insurance coverage covers the warehousing risk after arrival at the port. In addition, you need to establish an accurate import cost calculation model, include all costs such as customs declaration fees, port storage fees, tariffs, and value-added tax into the model, and estimate the total import cost in advance, so as to avoid impact on corporate profits caused by cost overrun.