Export Customs Declaration = Just Filling in Forms? 90% of People Get It Wrong from the First Step!

"Mr. Zhang was doing foreign trade for the first time and stared at the customs declaration form, worrying for 3 days." "Ms. Li's container was stranded at the port just because she missed filling in a code".... Export customs declaration may seem simple, but in fact, it has hidden mysteries. Today, let's use a practical article to help you avoid those "pitfalls" and easily handle the whole process of customs declaration!

The core of export customs declaration is "the consistency of documents and the conformity of goods and documents". Simply put, the submitted documents must match the actual goods exactly. Common "accident scenes" include: writing the decimal point wrong in the declared amount, the name of the commodity not matching the actual goods, etc. Experts from Zhongshitong remind: "Even a difference in one box of goods may lead to the detention and inspection of the whole batch of goods."

• List of Essential Documents:
• Commercial invoice (the amount and name of the commodity should be consistent with the contract)
• Packing list (the gross weight/net weight should be accurate to two decimal places)
• Power of attorney for customs declaration (it needs to be stamped with the official seal of the enterprise)
• Foreign exchange verification form (it has been electronized now, but it needs to be registered in advance)

STEP 1 Commodity Classification: Find Your "HS Code Identity Card"
Open the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China and match the 6-10 digit HS code according to the material, usage, etc. For example: cotton T-shirts are classified into 6109.10, while chemical fiber T-shirts are classified into 6110.30. Zhongshitong suggests: "Novices can use the 'China Customs Classification Query' system for auxiliary judgment."

STEP 2 Declaration Operation: Do It in the Era of Electronic Customs Declaration
Log in to the "China International Trade Single Window", upload the scanned copies and fill in:

• Information of the consignor and consignee (note that the English name should be consistent with the business license)
• Mode of transportation (sea transportation/air transportation/land transportation have different declaration requirements)
• Transaction method (FOB, CIF, etc. affect the calculation of taxes and fees)

• Sensitive commodities (for example, products containing lithium batteries need additional certification)
• Anti-dumping commodities (such as some steel products, chemical products)
• Abnormal declared value (if it is 30% lower than the market price, it may trigger price review)

• Electronic release notice (for sea transportation, you can exchange the bill of lading with this)
• Export tax rebate voucher (the special VAT invoice needs to be kept for 5 years)

1. Privileges of AEO Certified Enterprises:
Enterprises that have passed the AEO certification of the customs can enjoy:

• The inspection rate is reduced to 20% of that of ordinary enterprises
• Priority in customs clearance (saving 3-5 days during the peak season)

3. Paperless Customs Declaration:
Since 2023, the "paperless customs clearance throughout the whole process" has been implemented nationwide. However, it should be noted that:

• The resolution of the scanned copies should not be lower than 300dpi
• The official seal must be a scanned copy of the fresh seal

Customs declaration is not a form-filling game, but an art of risk management and control. Before the next declaration, you might as well ask yourself three questions: Have you checked the HS code correctly? Is the declared value reasonable? Can the documents corroborate each other? Welcome to share your "painful experience of customs clearance" in the comment section, or send a private message to get the latest version of the customs code manual!