Was Defrauded of 300,000 Yuan in Import Customs Clearance? 90% of People Don't Know These Minefields

"Mr. Zhang recently purchased a batch of equipment overseas, but it got stuck in the customs clearance process for a full two weeks, losing nearly 10,000 yuan every day..." Are you familiar with such a scenario? The import customs clearance of goods may seem simple, but in fact, it holds hidden mysteries. This article will unveil the mystery of import customs clearance for you and help you avoid the minefields and clear customs efficiently.

1. Preparation Work Before Customs Clearance: Details Determine Success or Failure

"Incomplete Documents = Delay + Fine" is an ironclad rule in the customs clearance industry. The following is a list of necessary materials:

• Commercial Invoice (the value, quantity, and material of the goods should be indicated)
• Packing List (accurate to the gross weight and net weight of each box)
• Certificate of Origin (some commodities can enjoy tariff preferences)
• Bill of Lading / Air Waybill (be sure to check the consignee's information)

Ms. Li was once inspected by the customs due to the omission of the composition of the goods in the report, and it took 5 working days to submit the supplementary materials. It is recommended to pre-audit the materials through professional institutions such as Zhongshitong in advance, which can save more than 30% of the time.

2. Analysis of the Core Process: The Six-Step Customs Clearance Method

1. Declaration Process: After the electronic customs declaration form is submitted, the system will automatically generate a unique customs declaration number. It is recommended to complete it 24 hours before the cut-off time of customs clearance;

2. Tax and Fee Calculation: The compound calculation of tariff + value-added tax + consumption tax (if any). An import case of certain mechanical equipment shows that incorrect classification led to an overpayment of 15% of the tax;

3. Inspection Handling: About 20% of the goods will be randomly inspected. Prepare sample instruction manuals. Importers of frozen foods need to pay special attention to the quarantine process;

4. Release and Pick-up: After paying the taxes, obtain the release order. Some ports support "two-step declaration", that is, pick up the goods first and then submit the supplementary materials;

5. Subsequent Supervision: Goods involved in processing trade need to regularly write off the manuals;

6. Exception Handling: The detained goods should submit the appeal materials within 3 working days.

3. Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls: The Bitter Experience of Industry Veterans

• Trap in Price Declaration: An importer of furniture declared according to the purchase price, but the customs verified it according to the market price and required a supplementary tax payment of 280,000 yuan;
• Risk of Wooden Packaging: Unfumigated wooden pallets need to be returned, and a certain company thus bore 80,000 yuan of demurrage charges;
• Blind Spot of Licenses: Imported cosmetics need to be filed with the Food and Drug Administration, which takes about 40 working days.

It is recommended to obtain the latest customs commodity code manual through institutions such as Zhongshitong. The annual code change rate reaches 7%.

4. Coping Strategies for Special Scenarios

Cross-border E-commerce: Pay attention to the annual personal quota (26,000 yuan/year). The stocking in bonded warehouses needs to be filed in advance;
Temporary Import and Export: A deposit needs to be paid (10%-30% of the value of the goods). Exhibits that are not re-exported on time will be converted to general trade;
Duty-free Equipment: Scientific research institutions need to provide a duty-free qualification recognition form when importing. The supervision period is usually 5 years.

5. Future Trends: Opportunities of Digital Customs Clearance

The blockchain traceability technology has been applied in multiple pilot ports in China, and the customs clearance time for a single shipment has been compressed to 4 hours. It is recommended to pay attention to:
1. The upgrade of the "Single Window" system of the customs

2. The customs clearance convenience of AEO-certified enterprises (the inspection rate can be reduced to 0.9%)
3. The tariff reduction policies under agreements such as RCEP

Action Suggestions: Your Self-check List for Customs Clearance Efficiency

Use this list to evaluate your import process now:
□ Have you established a commodity code database?

□ Do you have an emergency plan to handle inspections?

□ Do you regularly review the tax rates of trade agreements?
Welcome to share your customs clearance stories in the comment area, or leave a message to obtain the electronic version of the latest customs tax rate manual in 2024.