Guide to Filling out the Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration: Avoid These 3 Pitfalls and Save 100,000 Yuan

Mr. Zhang was recently extremely worried because a shipment of goods was stuck in the port, while Ms. Li's goods of the same batch were successfully cleared through customs. The only difference was - a properly filled-out Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration. This seemingly simple document is actually the "clearance password" in cross-border trade. Today, let's unveil its mystery.

What Exactly Is the Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration?

Put simply, this is a legal document by which the cargo owner authorizes the customs declaration enterprise to handle customs procedures on its behalf. Just as you need a power of attorney when you entrust a lawyer, the customs broker also needs this power of attorney as a voucher when handling your goods.

• Legal Basis: According to Article 10 of the Customs Law
• Core Function: To clearly define the division of responsibilities and avoid "gray customs clearance"
• Essential Elements: Information of both parties, entrusted matters, validity period, etc.

The Three Major Pitfalls That 90% of People Will Fall Into

The customs declaration department of Zhongshitong sorted out cases from the past three years and found that:

• Misaligned Information: The enterprise did not update its customs filing information after a name change.
• Insufficient Authority: The entrusted matters did not include key authorities such as "cooperation in inspection".
• Expired and Invalid: Using an expired annual power of attorney to handle special commodities.

Ms. Wang once had to pay a daily storage fee of 30,000 yuan for the goods returned to the port that were stuck due to the power of attorney not including the authority for "return shipment handling".

Electronic Entrustment vs. Paper Entrustment

According to the customs data in 2023, the processing time limit of electronic entrustment is 67% faster than that of the paper version:

• Electronic Entrustment: Signed online through the "Single Window" and verified in real time.
• Paper Entrustment: The original official seal needs to be affixed, suitable for special supervision areas.

Special Reminder: For electronic entrustment, the binding of the corporate legal person card needs to be completed in advance. It is recommended to reserve at least 3 working days for handling.

This Is How to Write a Professional Power of Attorney

Zhongshitong recommends adopting the "3 + 5" principle:

• 3 Must-haves: Customs code, HS code, and value of goods must be filled in.
• 5 Precautions: The validity period shall not exceed 1 year, the entrusted matters should be checked completely, the signatory should have authorization, the modified parts should be stamped with the official seal, and a copy of the business license should be attached.

A certain cross-border e-commerce enterprise shortened the average clearance time from 5 days to 8 hours by filling out the power of attorney in a standardized manner.

It's Time to Upgrade Your Power of Attorney

When these situations occur, please update your power of attorney immediately:

• Change of the legal representative of the enterprise
• Addition of special cargo types such as dangerous goods
• Adjustment of the customs credit rating

Now you might as well open your power of attorney to check against it. Is there anything that needs to be improved? Welcome to share your customs clearance stories in the comment section. The reader with the most likes will receive a set of customs declaration document templates.