To ensure compliance with customs regulations in the destination country, you need to take the following steps:
Before shipping, you must understand and track the destination country’s customs policies in detail, including prohibited/restricted goods lists, tariff and tax rules, and special regulatory requirements. For example, Australia prohibits the import of unquarantined wood products and seeds; the United States requires FCC certification for electronics and CPSIA certification for children’s products; and the European Union requires SVHC testing reports under REACH regulations for chemical products. You should also stay informed of policy changes. You can obtain the latest information from the destination country’s customs website, embassies in China, industry associations, and other channels to avoid customs clearance issues caused by policy changes.
Ensure that customs clearance documents are complete, accurate, and consistent: Customs clearance documents are the core evidence of the legality of goods. Essential documents, such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin, must be complete. The cargo name, specifications, quantity, HS code, and consignor and consignee information on all documents must be identical. For special cargoes, additional documentation is required. For example, hazardous goods require an MSDS and hazardous goods packaging certificate, and food/cosmetics require a health certificate and ingredient analysis report.
Choose a reliable customs clearance agent or broker: If the consignee is an individual or a company without import rights, it’s important to pre-register with a qualified and experienced local customs clearance agent or broker. You can seek recommendations from domestic freight forwarders or request the broker’s past customs clearance cases to ensure they are familiar with the destination country’s customs policies and procedures and can accurately handle customs clearance matters, thus avoiding delays caused by the broker’s lack of expertise.
Declare cargo information accurately: The declared value must be consistent with the actual value of the goods; avoid under- or over-invoicing. The HS code must be accurate. This can be confirmed through the destination country’s customs website, professional code lookup tools, or a freight forwarder. The goods must be clearly described. The product names on the commercial invoice must be specific, avoiding ambiguity. Information such as quantity and weight must fully match the packing list and waybill.
Strengthen communication and collaboration with the consignee: Before shipment, clarify customs clearance responsibilities and division of labor with the consignee to ensure they understand the destination country’s customs policies and clearance requirements and actively cooperate in providing relevant documents and information. After the goods arrive at the port, promptly monitor customs clearance progress and maintain close communication with the consignee and customs clearance agent. If any issues arise, promptly provide additional materials or solutions.
Pay attention to customs clearance timelines after the goods arrive at the port: The destination port’s customs typically sets a customs clearance deadline. Failure to clear customs within this deadline may result in the goods being auctioned, returned, or fined. After the goods arrive at the port, confirm progress with the customs clearance agent or consignee daily. Any issues such as customs inspections or document corrections must be addressed promptly to avoid delays.
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