Who is the importer in the name of when it comes to customs declaration by an agent?
Our company plans to ask an agent customs declaration company to help handle the import customs declaration business, but we have never been clear about in whose name the customs declaration by an agent is actually imported. Is it our consignor or the agent customs declaration company? What are the liabilities and processes involved here? Will it have an impact on the ownership of the subsequent goods, customs clearance and other aspects? We hope that professionals can help answer these questions so that we can have a clear idea and make more appropriate decisions when choosing an agent customs declaration company.
Professional consultant answers
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
Customs declaration by an agent is divided into two forms: direct agency customs declaration and indirect agency customs declaration. Direct agency customs declaration is to handle the customs declaration formalities in the name of the consignor (that is, your company). In this case, the legal consequences directly affect the consignor. The customs declaration enterprise is only acting as an agent, just like you go to handle the customs declaration by yourself, and the liability is borne by your company. Indirect agency customs declaration is to handle the customs declaration formalities in the name of the customs declaration enterprise itself, and the customs declaration enterprise bears the same legal liability as that borne by the consignor and consignee of the import and export goods when they handle the customs declaration by themselves. Generally, the common one is direct agency customs declaration, because this method conforms to the trade routine, the ownership of the goods is clearly attributed to the consignor, and the responsibility for customs clearance is also clear. If indirect agency customs declaration is adopted, the ownership of the goods and other aspects may become relatively complicated due to the intervention of the name of the customs declaration enterprise. However, as long as the contract stipulations are clear, the rights and interests of all parties can also be guaranteed. In actual operation, it is necessary to clarify the agency method with the agent customs declaration company to avoid subsequent disputes.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
Generally speaking, if it is a normal trade agency customs declaration, most of them are direct agency, and are imported in the name of the consignor, which conforms to the transaction logic and is convenient for a series of subsequent operations.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
For direct agency customs declaration, the liability of the consignor is clear, and the process of goods customs clearance is also relatively clear, which is more beneficial for subsequent pick-up, sales and other operations.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
Indirect agency customs declaration may be used in some special business scenarios, such as when there are problems with the qualifications of the consignor, etc. But this situation is relatively rare, and the operation should be more cautious.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
Regardless of which agency customs declaration method is used, the responsibilities and obligations of all parties must be clearly written in the contract to avoid disputes caused by the issue of name.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
Generally, it is imported in the name of the consignor, so that the ownership of the goods is clear at a glance and will not cause unnecessary troubles.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
Agent customs declaration companies usually choose the appropriate name for import according to the business type and the needs of the consignor, and direct agency is the majority.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
When imported in the name of the consignor, if subsequent inspection and other problems are encountered, the agent customs declaration company can assist the consignor to handle them, and the process is more smooth.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
When choosing an agent customs declaration company, it is necessary to ask clearly about the common agency customs declaration name they use and evaluate the impact on your own business.