Connect & Solve
Trade Q&A
What are the key compliance operation points for the entire process of acting as an agent for importing ceramic tiles?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am a high-end building materials distributor based in Shanghai. I signed an exclusive agency agreement with an Italian ceramic tile brand last month, and the first batch of marble ceramic tiles will be shipped next month. I heard from a peer that last year, the small agency he worked with made a document error that caused the ceramic tiles to be detained at the port for 12 days.
He not only paid customer liquidated damages, but also spent over 100,000 yuan in detention fees and amendment fees. Up to now, a batch of goods has been detained due to failing environmental protection inspection, which is terrifying. I have never done import agency operations before.
Now I am worried that the wrong process will lead to customs detention and port detention, afraid of being cheated and spending unnecessary money, and I don't know if there will be new compliance requirements from the customs in 2026 and what ways can be used to reasonably reduce costs. I am really so anxious that I can't sleep, and I want you to help me sort it out clearly.
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
First，focus on the details of pre-shipment document review. In 2026，customs will strictly check documents for imported ceramic tiles. It is necessary to focus on confirming the compliance of the direct shipment rules in the certificate of origin，ensuring that the goods are shipped directly from Italy to China. If transshipped through a third country，a certificate of non-processing from the customs of the transshipment country must be provided，at the same time，the radiation test report for ceramic tiles issued by an authoritative third-party organization overseas must be attached，and the report must clearly indicate that the testing standards meet the requirements of GB 6566-2010 to avoid customs detention due to non-compliant environmental protection indicators.
Accurately control the connection of core nodes: when booking space，confirm that the shipping company provides at least 14 days of demurrage-free period (ceramic tiles are heavy goods，with daily container detention fees exceeding 2,000 yuan). In the customs declaration stage，submit documents through the Shanghai Customs "Prior Declaration" system 3 days in advance to secure priority customs clearance quota，before picking up the goods，synchronously check the goods specifications and quantities on the bill of lading and packing list to avoid secondary inspection triggered by inconsistent documents and goods.
Formulate a complete contingency plan: if there is a document error，submit an amendment application 48 hours before the ship arrives at the port，and retain the original stamped documents from the overseas supplier as evidence，if selected for radioactive re-inspection by the customs，immediately coordinate to activate the green inspection channel，which can shorten the inspection period by up to 7 days，if port detention occurs，apply for an extension of the port demurrage-free period through the agency qualification，and can obtain an additional 7 days of demurrage-free permission at most.
In the final compliance implementation stage，you can apply for the import VAT deferral policy launched at Shanghai Port in 2026，which does not require paying import VAT when clearing customs，and can be deducted in the monthly tax declaration period，shortening the capital occupation period by more than 30 days，all documents must be retained for at least 5 years for subsequent customs audits to ensure full-process compliance.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
When declaring imported ceramic tiles at customs, the customs valuation stage needs to focus on the authenticity and reasonableness of the transaction price. In 2026, Shanghai Customs has further refined the valuation standards for imported building materials. If the declared price is 15% lower than the internal reference price of the customs, it will trigger a price query, and supporting materials such as the cost breakdown of the overseas supplier, the export declaration form of the same batch of goods, and third-party market quotation documents must be provided.
If the valuation fails due to missing documents, submit an application for deleting and re-declaring the declaration within 3 working days, and cooperate with the customs in price consultations to avoid goods detention caused by delays. In addition, if the ceramic tiles involve related-party transactions, the related relationship must be reported to the customs in advance, and a reasonable explanation of the related-party transaction pricing must be provided to ensure one-time passage of the valuation stage and avoid subsequent audits.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Imported ceramic tiles are mostly full-container heavy goods, and the logistics route should give priority to the direct shipping route from Shanghai Port. In 2026, the direct shipping schedule from the Mediterranean to Shanghai is stable at about 28 days, which is 7-10 days shorter than the transshipment route, which can effectively reduce the risk of port detention. When booking space, clearly agree on the "container detention fee reduction clause".
If container detention is caused by customs inspection, you can apply for full reduction from the shipping company with the customs inspection notice; in terms of cargo right control, choose "order bill of lading", and require the overseas supplier to mark "to order of Zhongshen" when endorsing the bill of lading to avoid the goods being picked up without a bill of lading. In addition, if you need to transfer to an inland warehouse, make an appointment for a customs supervision vehicle in advance to ensure that the goods are transported under supervision and avoid cargo right disputes.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
In 2026, ceramic tile import agents can alleviate capital pressure by applying for the import VAT deferral policy. The application conditions are that the enterprise has general taxpayer qualification and no customs violation records in the past 12 months. After the application is approved, there is no need to pay import VAT when clearing customs, and it can be deducted in the monthly tax declaration period, shortening the capital occupation period by more than 30 days.
In addition, if the imported ceramic tiles are of origin from RCEP member countries, ensure that the certificate of origin complies with the "direct transportation" rules, and you can enjoy tariff concession preferences, reducing the tariff rate from 8% to 3.5%. It should be noted that if the overseas supplier is a related party, the pricing must be in accordance with the arm's length principle to avoid tax audits triggered by transfer pricing adjustments, and the pricing basis must be retained for at least 10 years.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
The receipt and payment of foreign exchange for ceramic tile import agency must strictly comply with the latest regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2026. Before making payment, submit materials such as the import contract, electronic customs declaration form and commercial invoice to the bank to ensure consistent document information. If using RMB cross-border payment, it can be completed through the Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), which shortens the arrival time by 2-3 days compared with SWIFT, and does not require foreign exchange conversion fees, saving about 0.1% of conversion costs per transaction.
When settling foreign exchange, match the customs declaration form of the corresponding imported goods to avoid "over-settlement" or "under-settlement". If the payment amount needs to be adjusted due to goods value changes, report to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in advance and provide the change certificate issued by the overseas supplier to ensure full-process compliance of receipt and payment of foreign exchange.
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat
The import contract signed with the overseas ceramic tile supplier must clarify the core clauses: first, quality standards, which need to agree that the radioactive indicators, dimensional deviations and other indicators of the ceramic tiles meet the Chinese GB standards. If the inspection is unqualified, the supplier shall bear the return and exchange costs and transportation fees; second, cargo right transfer clauses, which need to agree that "the cargo right shall be transferred to the buyer after the goods are loaded on board" to avoid disputes caused by risks during transportation; third, intellectual property clauses, which require the supplier to promise that the ceramic tiles do not infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties.
If the goods are detained due to infringement, the supplier shall bear all losses; fourth, force majeure clauses, which need to clarify whether the "port congestion" added in 2026 belongs to the scope of force majeure to avoid disputes over liquidated damages caused by shipping delays. In addition, you can require the supplier to issue a performance bond to ensure that they deliver goods on time and with quality.
Eric ZhouYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Manager of Foreign Exchange & Tax RebatesStart a Chat
When customs inspect imported ceramic tiles, the key checks are whether the brand, specifications and materials of the goods are consistent with the documents, and whether the radioactive indicators meet the requirements. In 2026, the X-ray inspection rate of building materials at Shanghai Customs has increased to 30%.
If the X-ray image shows abnormal stacking of goods, unpacking inspection will be triggered. During unpacking, cooperate with the inspectors to carry the goods layer by layer to avoid damaging the ceramic tiles. At the same time, prepare samples and test reports of the ceramic tiles in advance.
If the inspectors have doubts about the radioactive indicators, actively apply for inspection, and the inspection period is about 5-7 days. In addition, check in advance whether the container seal number is consistent with the bill of lading. If the seal is damaged or the number is inconsistent, notify the shipping company and the agent immediately to avoid disputes caused by cargo damage.