In the agency import business, the subject of declaring customs duties is usually determined according to the agency agreement. There are generally two common situations.
First, if the agreement clearly stipulates that the principal is responsible for declaring the customs duties, then the principal needs to prepare detailed information of the goods according to relevant regulations, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc., and truthfully declare information such as the value, quantity, and tariff code of the goods to the customs, and pay the customs duties. The principal is responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the declared content.
Second, if the agreement stipulates that the agent should declare the customs duties, the agent shall declare to the customs in its own name or in the name of the principal. The agent accurately classifies the goods and calculates the taxes and fees by virtue of its professional knowledge and experience. However, in either way, the principal has the obligation to provide accurate and complete information of the goods to the agent. In actual operation, both parties should clearly define the responsibilities in the agreement to avoid subsequent disputes.
Professional consultant answers
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
In the agency import business, the subject of declaring customs duties is usually determined according to the agency agreement. There are generally two common situations.
First, if the agreement clearly stipulates that the principal is responsible for declaring the customs duties, then the principal needs to prepare detailed information of the goods according to relevant regulations, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc., and truthfully declare information such as the value, quantity, and tariff code of the goods to the customs, and pay the customs duties. The principal is responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the declared content.
Second, if the agreement stipulates that the agent should declare the customs duties, the agent shall declare to the customs in its own name or in the name of the principal. The agent accurately classifies the goods and calculates the taxes and fees by virtue of its professional knowledge and experience. However, in either way, the principal has the obligation to provide accurate and complete information of the goods to the agent. In actual operation, both parties should clearly define the responsibilities in the agreement to avoid subsequent disputes.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
Generally speaking, if the agent is more familiar with the customs declaration process and customs regulations, it will be more efficient for the agent to declare the customs duties, which can reduce the risk of declaration errors.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
If the principal has a more thorough understanding of the situation of the goods, such as the special nature and price composition of the goods, in this case, it may be more convenient for the principal to declare the customs duties accurately.
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Sometimes it also depends on the cooperation mode of both parties. If the agent provides a full package of services, it is highly likely that the agent will be responsible for declaring the customs duties.
William YangYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International logistics consultantConsult
It also depends on whether the principal has a professional customs declaration team. If so, it is also possible for the principal to control the process better by declaring the customs duties by itself.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
From the perspective of responsibility, whoever declares the customs duties is responsible for the accuracy of the declared information, so it should be decided carefully.
Sarah ZhangYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Document expertConsult
If the goods involve special supervision conditions or complex tariff classification, it may be more appropriate for the agent to handle it by virtue of its experience.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
If the principal has long-term dealings with the customs and is familiar with the process, it may be able to save some agency fees by declaring the customs duties by itself.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Actually, both parties can also negotiate to complete the work of declaring customs duties together and give play to their respective advantages.