The "Hidden Thresholds" for Chemical Imports: How Can Changzhou Enterprises Break the Deadlock?

At 11 p.m., Mr. Zhang from a chemical trading company in Changzhou stared at a declaration form that was returned by the customs on the computer screen and rubbed his swollen temples. This was already the third time this month that the order was returned due to non - compliant documents. The raw materials worth 800,000 yuan were stranded at the port, and the production line was about to face shutdown. This scene is a true portrayal of many small and medium - sized chemical enterprises when importing general chemicals.

Many people think that "general chemicals = simple process", but in fact, there are hidden mysteries:

• Misconception 1: Arbitrary HS code selection - A certain batch of citric acid was misclassified into the food additive category, resulting in an additional 30% tariff payment
• Misconception 2: MSDS general template - The safety data sheet for chemicals made by Ms. Li using an online template was detained for inspection due to the lack of special markings required by the Changzhou Customs
• Misconception 3: Customs declaration is the end - A company failed to file for GHS label record, and after the arrival of the goods, the whole batch was required to be re - labeled

As an important chemical hub in the Yangtze River Delta, Changzhou Port has special supervision requirements for general chemicals:

1. Pre - classification first

It is recommended to complete the pre - classification of commodities through professional institutions such as Zhongshitong before signing a foreign trade contract to avoid demurrage charges due to tariff disputes after arriving at the port. Last year, 37% of the chemical return orders at the Changzhou port were due to classification errors.

2. Compliance document matrix

In addition to the regular declaration form, special attention should be paid to:

• Receipt of filing with the Emergency Management Bureau of Changzhou City
• Electronic draft of Chinese GHS label (needs to be uploaded 5 working days in advance)
• Dangerous characteristic classification and identification report (required even for non - dangerous chemicals)

Through the "distributed delivery and centralized declaration" mode of the Changzhou Comprehensive Bonded Zone, an enterprise reduced the import cost of ethylene glycol by 18%:

Batch - by - batch entry into the zone + centralized declaration

Use the bonded warehousing function to delay tax payment and combine quarterly centralized declarations to reduce the number of customs declarations. However, it should be noted that:

• The value of a single batch of goods shall not exceed 500,000 yuan
• An annual distributed delivery and centralized declaration plan needs to be submitted to the customs in advance
• The warehousing temperature records need to be uploaded to the supervision system in real - time

When international chemical giants began to require suppliers to provide full - chain compliance certificates, an importer of rubber and plastic additives in Changzhou lost an order worth 20 million yuan due to its inability to provide complete transportation temperature control records. It is recommended that enterprises:

Establish a four - dimensional risk control system

• Document compliance scanning (once a month)
• Reserve of alternative suppliers (at least 2 alternatives of the same category)
• Maintenance of port emergency channels (cooperate with 3 customs brokers)
• Subscription for policy early warnings (follow the WeChat official account of Changzhou Customs)