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Who should be the declarant for the goods exported by an agent?

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Our company plans to find an agent to export goods, but we are not very clear about the name of the declarant for customs declaration. I heard that the choice of the name of the declarant for customs declaration is very important and will affect a series of subsequent processes and rights and interests. So I want to ask, should the goods exported by an agent be declared customs in the name of the entrusting party or the agent? What are the differences in the operation process of these two ways of declaring customs? I hope experienced friends can explain it in detail.

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Professional consultant answers

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

Cost control consultantConsult

In the business of exporting goods by an agent, there are usually two choices for the name of the declarant for customs declaration. One is to declare customs in the name of the entrusting party. In this case, the entrusting party needs to provide complete documentary materials, and the operating unit on the customs declaration form should fill in the information of the entrusting party. The advantage is that the entrusting party has a high degree of control over the entire export process, and matters such as tax rebates are also relatively straightforward. However, the entrusting party needs to have the corresponding export qualifications and the ability to handle export affairs. The other is to declare customs in the name of the agent, and the operating unit on the customs declaration form should fill in the agent. The agent can handle matters such as customs declaration more conveniently and efficiently by virtue of its own professionalism and qualifications. However, the tax rebate may be transferred to the entrusting party after being assisted by the agent. Which one to choose specifically needs to be combined with the actual situation of the entrusting party. If the entrusting party is experienced and has complete qualifications, it can consider declaring customs in its own name; if it lacks experience and qualifications, it is more appropriate to declare customs in the name of the agent. For example, the export service by Zhongshitong as an agent can flexibly choose the name of the declarant for customs declaration according to the situation of customers.

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

Document expertConsult

Generally speaking, if the entrusting party has the right to import and export by itself, it usually chooses to declare customs in the name of the entrusting party, so that the handling of procedures such as tax rebates is relatively familiar with the process. If the entrusting party does not have the right to import and export, then it can only declare customs in the name of the agent.

Elizabeth Li
Elizabeth LiYears of service:3Customer Rating:5.0

Compliance and risk managerConsult

When declaring customs in the name of the agent, the agent will be more professional in the customs declaration process. After all, they often handle these matters and can reduce the probability of errors in customs declaration. However, it should be noted that the two parties should clearly stipulate the distribution of relevant interests such as tax rebates in the contract.

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

Market development consultantConsult

If declaring customs in the name of the entrusting party, the entrusting party should prepare all kinds of customs declaration documents by itself, including packing lists, invoices, contracts, etc., to ensure that the documents are accurate. If it is in the name of the agent, these may be assisted by the agent to prepare.

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

Settlement and payment expertConsult

From the perspective of tax rebates, when declaring customs in the name of the entrusting party, it is more convenient for the entrusting party to directly apply for tax rebates. When declaring customs in the name of the agent, the agent will generally help handle the tax rebates, but it should be noted whether the transfer of funds is timely.

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

Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult

The choice of the name of the declarant for customs declaration also depends on the characteristics of the goods. If it is special regulated goods, the agent may, by virtue of its resources and experience, declare customs in the name of the agent, which is more conducive to customs clearance.

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

Senior customs declaration consultantConsult

For some newly established entrusting party enterprises, because they are not familiar with the export process, declaring customs in the name of the agent can save a lot of trouble, and the agent can guide the entire export process.

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

Supply chain optimization expertConsult

If the entrusting party has specific customer relationships overseas and hopes to reflect its own information on customs declaration forms and other documents to strengthen the connection with customers, it may tend to declare customs in the name of the entrusting party.

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

Senior foreign trade managerConsult

When declaring customs in the name of the agent, in case of unexpected situations such as customs inspections, the agent can solve the problems more quickly and effectively by virtue of its professional ability and personal connections.

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