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Can VAT on entrepot trade be deducted? Let's find out!

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Our company has recently been involved in entrepot trade, raising VAT-related questions during the process. We want to know: Can the VAT involved in entrepot trade be deducted? What specific conditions need to be met? If deduction is not possible, what are the reasons? We hope knowledgeable friends can help clarify this policy, enabling our company to handle tax matters appropriately.

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Professional consultant answers

Michelle Chen
Michelle ChenYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Business coordination consultantConsult

Generally, VAT on entrepot trade cannot be deducted. Entrepot trade essentially involves goods being shipped directly from the production country to the consumption country, with the company acting only as a trade intermediary without actually importing goods into China's VAT taxable chain. VAT deduction applies to goods or services for which VAT has already been paid during circulation, whereas entrepot trade goods do not enter China's VAT chain.

For example, Zhongshitong purchases goods from a supplier in Country A and directly sells them to a client in Country B, with the goods not passing through Chinese customs. In this case, no VAT taxable activity occurs domestically, so there is no basis for VAT deduction.

However, if in the entrepot trade process, goods are first declared for import into China and then exported, with VAT paid during import, deduction may be claimed following the import VAT deduction procedures, provided it complies with regulations. Strict adherence to relevant tax rules is essential.

William Yang
William YangYears of service:5Customer Rating:5.0

International logistics consultantConsult

In entrepot trade, if goods do not enter China and no VAT liability arises from domestic import declaration, VAT cannot be deducted. The prerequisite for deduction is the occurrence of taxable activities domestically with corresponding VAT paid.

Robert Chen
Robert ChenYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Customer service consultantConsult

If entrepot trade is conducted properly, with goods shipped directly from a foreign supplier to a foreign client and the company only earns the price difference, this difference does not fall under China's VAT taxable scope and cannot be deducted.

Emily Liu
Emily LiuYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Settlement and payment expertConsult

The main reason VAT on entrepot trade cannot be deducted is that it falls outside China's VAT taxation scope, as the goods do not circulate or add value domestically, thus failing to meet VAT deduction conditions.

David Li
David LiYears of service:6Customer Rating:5.0

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

If entrepot trade involves goods first entering a domestic bonded zone before being transshipped out without substantial processing, VAT deduction is typically not allowed.

Jennifer Wang
Jennifer WangYears of service:4Customer Rating:5.0

Market development consultantConsult

It is incorrect to assume that VAT on entrepot trade is never deductible. If the company declares imports and pays VAT during entrepot trade operations, deduction may be claimed as per regulations.

Sarah Zhang
Sarah ZhangYears of service:8Customer Rating:5.0

Document expertConsult

The key to VAT deduction in entrepot trade lies in whether goods enter China's VAT taxable domain. If not, VAT deduction cannot be realized.

Andrew Huang
Andrew HuangYears of service:7Customer Rating:5.0

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

From a tax principle perspective, entrepot trade generally does not qualify for VAT deduction because goods circulate directly abroad without forming a complete VAT chain domestically.

Amanda Yang
Amanda YangYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Cost control consultantConsult

When determining whether VAT on entrepot trade can be deducted, a comprehensive analysis must be conducted based on actual operational processes and domestic tax laws.

Joseph Zhou
Joseph ZhouYears of service:10Customer Rating:5.0

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

If entrepot trade involves domestic activities that generate VAT liability, such as goods undergoing simple processing in China before re-export, VAT paid may potentially be deducted as per regulations.

The relevant questions or replies only represent the user’s personal stance and do not represent any views of this website.

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