How to Choose a Furniture Import and Export Agency? Full Analysis of Core Services

Shanghai’s furniture export market maintains a growth trend in 2026,with overseas orders for wooden furniture,custom home furnishing and other categories continuing to rise.However,many enterprises encounter bottlenecks in the import and export process,such as repeated modification of customs declaration documents,damage during international transportation,and overly long export tax refund cycles,which directly affect capital turnover and customer delivery.The core of these problems is often that the complexity of the foreign trade process exceeds the enterprise’s own processing capacity.This article takes the whole process of furniture import and export as the clue,sorts out the key actions of core links,and combines the actual service cases of Zhongshen to explain how professional agencies can help enterprises solve pain points.

I.Pre-preparation and Qualification Audit: Lay a Solid Foundation for Compliance

The core goal of this stage is to ensure that all materials meet the requirements of customs and commodity inspection,so as to avoid compliance risks in subsequent links.In 2026,Shanghai Customs’ supervision focus on furniture products is concentrated on material authenticity,certification validity and environmental protection standards.A slight negligence may lead to cargo detention or fine.

1.1 Key Actions and Objectives

Customers need to provide the agency with detailed information of furniture,including material (such as solid wood,panel,metal),product pictures,certification documents (such as CE,FSC),preliminary classification of HS Code,etc.Zhongshen’s qualification audit team will complete the preliminary verification within 2 working days,focusing on confirming the following contents:

• Whether the HS Code matches the product material and function: For example,the codes of solid wood dining tables and chairs and panel dining tables and chairs are different,with a tariff rate difference of about 8%;
• Certification requirements of export destinations: For example,CE certification is required for the EU market,and JIS certification is required for the Japanese market,without which customs clearance cannot be completed;
• Fumigation certificate for wooden furniture: For wooden furniture exported to Australia,Canada and other countries,IPPC fumigation mark must be provided,otherwise commodity inspection cannot be passed.

The goal of this stage is to eliminate all compliance hidden dangers before the goods are shipped,so as to avoid cargo detention at the port due to data problems.

1.2 Common Problems and Solutions of Zhongshen

In the first half of 2026,Mr.Zheng from a custom furniture factory in Shanghai encountered a typical problem: The wardrobes he exported to Germany were required to be re-declared by customs due to wrong HS Code classification,which was delayed for 12 days and led to the customer canceling the order.Later,Mr.Zheng contacted Zhongshen,and Ms.Huo (Document Supervisor) led the team to re-check the material of the wardrobe (E0 grade particle board + solid wood veneer),adjust the code from 94031000 to 94035000 in combination with the latest classification standards of German Customs,and supplemented the material test report,finally passing the audit smoothly.

The core roles of Zhongshen in this link are:

• Audit team with 20 years of experience in the furniture industry,familiar with the certification requirements of major global markets;
• Maintain regular communication with Shanghai Inspection and Quarantine Bureau,and can obtain policy change information in advance;
• Provide certification consulting services for customers,and can connect with third-party institutions if supplementary certification is required,shortening the preparation cycle.

II.Customs Declaration,Inspection and Document Processing: Smooth Customs Clearance Nodes

Customs declaration and inspection is the core link of furniture import and export,which directly determines whether the goods can be released smoothly.In 2026,Shanghai Customs implemented the "advance declaration" policy,requiring enterprises to complete the declaration 48 hours before the goods arrive at the port,which puts forward higher requirements for the accuracy of documents and submission efficiency.

2.1 Key Actions and Processes

Zhongshen’s customs declaration team will complete the production and audit of all documents 3 days before the goods are shipped,including:

• Basic documents: packing list,commercial invoice,foreign trade contract,bill of lading (or air waybill);
• Commodity inspection documents: fumigation certificate,material test report,product certification certificate;
• Special customs documents: such as endangered species certificate for wooden furniture (if required),processing trade manual (if required).

In terms of process,the commodity inspection declaration is completed first (Zhongshen will connect with the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau),then the customs declaration form is submitted to the customs through the Single Window,and the goods are released after the customs audit is passed.

2.2 Common Problems and Risk Avoidance

Common problems include inconsistent documents (such as inconsistent invoice amount and contract),unqualified commodity inspection (such as excessive formaldehyde emission),wrong tariff calculation,etc.In April 2026,Mr.Hua from a furniture factory in Suzhou exported sofas to the United States through Zhongshen.When he declared by himself before,the formaldehyde test report expired,so he was required to re-test by the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.Supervisor Sheng (Commodity Inspection Liaison) of Zhongshen immediately contacted a third-party testing institution to complete the test urgently,and obtained the qualified report in only 3 days,avoiding cargo detention.

Zhongshen’s advantages in this link are:

• The document team implements a "three-level review" system: first review by the producer,second review by the supervisor,final review by the customs declaration manager,ensuring 100% document consistency rate;
• Familiar with the "green channel" policy of Shanghai Customs,eligible enterprises (such as AEO-accredited enterprises) can enjoy priority review;
• Communicate with the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau on testing standards in advance to avoid unqualified results due to deviation in standard understanding.

III.International Transportation and Warehouse Management: Ensure Logistics Efficiency

Furniture is large and fragile,so the loss rate in transportation and storage links directly affects the enterprise’s cost.In 2026,the shipping space on routes from Shanghai to Europe and North America is tight,so how to arrange transportation reasonably has become a pain point for enterprises.

3.1 Transportation Mode Selection and Customized Scheme

Zhongshen will select the optimal transportation mode for customers according to the type,quantity and delivery time of furniture.The specific comparison is as follows:

3.2 Warehouse Management and Logistics Tracking

Zhongshen has a 2,000-square-meter professional warehouse in Shanghai Free Trade Zone,which can provide bonded warehousing,ordinary warehousing and temporary warehousing services.For furniture that needs temporary storage,it will be stored according to material classification (such as moisture-proof treatment for wooden furniture,rust-proof treatment for metal furniture).

In May 2026,a batch of wooden sofas exported to Australia by Manager Nong from a furniture factory in Hangzhou needed temporary storage due to delayed payment by customers.Zhongshen’s warehousing team immediately arranged a moisture-proof warehouse,and provided free fumigation service (since the sofas were to be exported to Australia).The warehousing preparation was completed in only 1 day,avoiding container detention charges for the goods at the port.

In terms of logistics tracking,Zhongshen’s system can display the location of goods in real time.In case of delay (such as port congestion),the transportation scheme will be adjusted immediately (such as port transfer) to ensure the delivery time.

IV.Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment,Foreign Exchange Settlement and Purchase: Ensure Capital Security

In 2026,the foreign exchange policy has stricter requirements on enterprises’ foreign exchange account management and foreign exchange settlement process.How to receive foreign exchange safely and settle foreign exchange in compliance has become the focus of enterprises’ attention.

4.1 Key Actions and Processes

Zhongshen will assist customers to complete the following actions:

• Open foreign exchange account: For enterprises without foreign exchange accounts,assist in handling NRA account or OSA account;
• Foreign exchange receipt confirmation: After receiving foreign exchange,confirm the amount and source of foreign exchange through the banking system,and notify the customer at the same time;
• Foreign exchange settlement and purchase: For foreign exchange settlement (export enterprises),provide foreign exchange settlement supporting documents and assist in handling settlement; For foreign exchange purchase (import enterprises),provide documents required for foreign exchange purchase (such as contract,invoice) and assist in handling purchase.

4.2 Common Problems and Solutions

Common problems include changes in foreign exchange control policies,delayed foreign exchange receipt,cumbersome foreign exchange settlement process,etc.In June 2026,the export foreign exchange receipt of Mr.Zheng from a furniture factory in Shanghai was delayed due to the customer’s bank problem,resulting in failure to pay the supplier on time.Zhongshen’s finance team immediately contacted the bank,provided supporting documents such as foreign trade contract and bill of lading,assisted the customer in handling urgent foreign exchange entry,and completed the foreign exchange receipt in only 2 days,avoiding breach of contract.

Zhongshen’s advantages in this link are:

• Familiar with the latest foreign exchange policies in 2026,inform customers of policy changes in advance (such as annual inspection requirements for foreign exchange accounts);
• Cooperate with a number of banks,can provide urgent foreign exchange entry services;
• Simplify the foreign exchange settlement procedures,enterprises only need to provide basic information,and the rest are handled by Zhongshen.

V.Export Tax Refund and Follow-up: Complete the Process Closed Loop

Export tax refund is an important way for furniture enterprises to reduce costs,but long refund cycle and cumbersome data are common pain points for enterprises.In 2026,Shanghai Tax Bureau implemented the "paperless tax refund" policy,which puts forward higher requirements for enterprises’ data submission.

5.1 Key Actions and Processes

Zhongshen’s tax refund team will complete the tax refund declaration within 10 working days after the goods are released.The specific process includes:

• Collect tax refund materials: customs declaration form (special copy for export tax refund),special VAT invoice,foreign trade contract,bill of lading;
• System declaration: Submit tax refund application through the Electronic Tax Bureau,upload electronic materials;
• Follow up the audit: After the tax bureau passes the audit,the tax refund fund will arrive in the account within 15-20 working days.

5.2 Common Problems and Zhongshen’s Services

Common problems include incomplete data (such as unauthenticated VAT invoice),delayed declaration,failed tax refund audit,etc.In July 2026,Mr.Hua from a furniture factory in Suzhou delayed the tax refund declaration due to untimely authentication of VAT invoice.Zhongshen’s tax refund supervisor immediately contacted the tax bureau to explain the situation,and assisted the customer to complete the invoice authentication urgently,finally passed the audit smoothly,and the tax refund fund arrived 5 days in advance.

The core roles of Zhongshen in this link are:

• Special personnel are responsible for the collection and sorting of tax refund materials to ensure complete data;
• Familiar with the "paperless tax refund" policy,complete system declaration quickly;
• Maintain communication with the tax bureau,solve problems in the audit in time,and shorten the tax refund cycle.

From the preliminary qualification audit to the later export tax refund,the furniture import and export process involves multiple links,and the connection of each link requires professional experience.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for more than 20 years,focusing on the core links of furniture import and export,helping enterprises avoid compliance risks,improve logistics efficiency and accelerate capital turnover through one-stop services.In the first half of 2026,Zhongshen has provided agency services for 86 furniture enterprises,with the average customs clearance time shortened by 3 days and the tax refund cycle shortened by 7 days,which has been unanimously recognized by customers.

If you encounter bottlenecks in the process of furniture import and export,you may contact a professional agency,and let the experienced team escort you.