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Customs Clearance

What is Customs Clearance?

import clearance

Customs clearance

Customs clearance can be divided into two methods. From the sender's perspective, there is the export customs clearance at the origin, and upon arrival at the destination, there is the import customs clearance for the recipient. Export customs clearance typically involves declaration at the place of export, and for certain product categories, governments may provide tax refunds or subsidies. Import customs clearance at the destination requires the payment of customs duties and value-added tax (VAT), with the VAT portion potentially being refundable. From the recipient's perspective, import customs clearance is performed at the destination, followed by customs declaration and tax payment upon arrival, and then the goods are released for delivery to the warehouse.

What is Customs Clearance Process？

 
There are two types of customs clearance: origin customs clearance and destination customs clearance.
 
Origin Customs Clearance:

1. Prepare the necessary documents for customs clearance, including:

1.Commercial Invoice:
Detailed information on both trading parties, product names, quantities, unit prices, and total transaction amounts.
 
2.Packing List:
Detailed information on both trading parties, product names, quantities, individual net weight, individual gross weight, total net weight, total gross weight, and total volume.
3.Commercial Contract:
Information on both trading parties, product names, quantities, unit prices, total prices, and bank information.

2.Customs Broker

 
Engage a customs broker to arrange for the export customs clearance. Submit the customs clearance documents to the customs declaration portal for pre custom clearance. Customs will review the submitted information, evaluate it based on export regulations, and customs valuation whether to release the goods. If customs clearance is granted, the goods can be completed customs clearance ; if there are issues with the documents, the customs broker or declarant needs to provide explanations, and customs will decide whether to release the goods based on the actual circumstances.

3.Value of the Goods

 
According to customs regulations, goods declared with excessively high values will be subject to examination. The declarant may need to submit value-added tax invoices to prove the value of the goods.

4.Inspect the Goods

 
Customs will randomly inspect the goods, verifying the product names, quantities, and information against the customs declaration form. If everything matches, the goods can be released; otherwise, they may need to go through further processing at a customs-supervised warehouse.

Destination Import Customs Clearance:

Destination Import Customs Clearance:

1. After the cargo is transported by air or sea to the destination airport or port, the client entrusts a local customs broker, providing the commercial invoice and packing list to the local customs.

2. Based on the declared amount on the commercial invoice and the tax rate for the corresponding customs code, customs duties are levied according to the product's tax rate.

3.After the recipient pays the trade tariffs, the goods enter a customs-supervised warehouse. If the goods pass the inspection, arrangements can be made for delivery.
Custom Clearance Agent

How long does Customs Clearance take?

 
Many factors influence the customs clearance process, including the nature of the goods, international regulatory systems, the accuracy of customs documentation, and varying requirements across different countries.

Nature of the goods

1. The primary factor affecting customs clearance take is the nature of the goods—whether they are general goods, special goods, or hazardous materials such as batteries. Goods classified as hazardous may undergo longer inspections and document verification.
 

Sea and Air Freight

4.The choice of mode of transport can also affect clearance times.While there is a notion that air freight customs clearance is faster than ocean freight, there is currently no concrete evidence supporting this claim. It may vary based on the experience of freight forwarders.

Inspecting your goods

2. The second significant factor impacting customs clearance take is the governmental agency responsible for inspecting your goods: Customs. Different countries have distinct requirements, considerations, and standards for inspections. Customs teams may vary in their inspection criteria, and personal opinions can affect clearance times.

Expedited clearance

5. If you require expedited clearance, opting for pre custom clearance procedures or early clearance arrangements may help achieve faster processing times.
 
 

Declaration documents

3. Another factor that affects Customs Clearance take is the accuracy of the customs declaration documents.Precise documents facilitate smoother clearance, while discrepancies such as incorrect quantities, differing weights, mismatched declared and actual product names, or undisclosed brands can impede the process.
In short, adhering to the requirements of the above 5 points can speed up customs clearance. Addressing potential issues commonly encountered during clearance will contribute to smoother processing.

Customs Duties and Taxes

 
Duties and taxes are completely different concepts:

Firstly

1. Firstly, the main body in the levy is different, tariffs are levied on imported and exported goods, to the declared value of the goods and the name of the goods, the customs code corresponding to the tariff rate, mainly the government regulates the balance of international trade, to protect the domestic enterprises, tariffs and different goods, different places of origin, and the importing country whether there is a trade agreement are affected. Taxing individuals, businesses, and organizations. Taxing individuals, businesses, and organizations is to increase national tax revenue.

Secondly

2. Import duties are the fees levied by the government on eatable products, including customs duties, VAT, excise duties, and local consumption taxes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tertiary

3.Export tax, means the state levies tax on some export products, the difference is that some countries will have the policy of tax rebate subsidy to promote the export of products to enhance the competitiveness of international products, but this is not every country will be operated in this way.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Common Customs Clearance Issues.

import clearance

  • In customs clearance

    1.In customs clearance, about 80% of the issues often arise due to incomplete or erroneous documents. Common errors include inaccuracies in the declared quantity, significant weight discrepancies, and incorrect product names. Discrepancies between the customs declaration, invoice, and packing list also contribute to problems.

  • Incorrect classification

    2. Incorrect classification of goods is another frequent issue. Customs follows specific standards for classifying goods, and inaccuracies in your classification can lead to complications.

  • Overstating the export declaration price

    3. Overstating the export declaration price is a common problem. Some factories may declare higher values in the hope of obtaining more tax refunds. Conversely, at the destination, recipients may declare lower values to minimize tax payments, leading to discrepancies.

  • Hazardous goods

    4. Hazardous goods, such as Class 9 dangerous goods like lithium batteries, can cause issues if the shipper fails to provide the required hazardous goods declaration.

  • Certification

    5. Destination clearance problems may arise if essential documents are missing or if the outer packaging lacks necessary labels. For example, European shipments may require a CE certification label, while India may require BIS certification, and South Korea may need KC certification.

  • Arrival at the Destination

    6. Discovering loss or damage to goods upon arrival at the destination can also lead to customs clearance delays or insurance claims.

  • Customs inspections

    7.Customs inspections are another factor that may cause delays in goods clearance.

How to obtain import license/export license?

 
1. Start by understanding the relevant government departments, such as the customs and other third-party agencies, in your country.

2. Identify the type of goods you intend to import, confirm the product name, and determine the customs code. Seek information from the relevant authorities in advance.

3. Contact the department responsible for issuing import permits/export permits, typically the trade department overseeing imports and exports.

4. Visit the official website of the government trade department and download the application form for the import permits/export permits. ​

5. The application form usually requires the submission of documents such as commercial invoices, sales contracts, product information, and certificates of origin.

6. Ensure that the application form is completed accurately and submit all the required documents to the relevant department to avoid delays.

7. After applying, you need to wait for government approval, and the processing time may vary depending on the country.

8. Obtaining an import license/export license may involve certain fees, which need to be paid to obtain the license.

9.Once you have the import license/export license, make sure to comply with the relevant laws and regulations.

What is import clearance?

1. Import customs clearance is a necessary process for every imported shipment, distinct from the customs clearance process for exports.

2. As the name implies, import clearance refers to the clearance process when goods are imported into a country from another, completed upon entry into the domestic territory.

3. Import clearance involves the preparation of documents such as the packing list, invoice, and air waybill.

4. Customs will review both the documents and the physical goods before granting clearance.

5. Payment of import duties is required, and once paid, the goods can proceed to the delivery stage.

6. Importers must possess the necessary import qualifications, including an import license.

7. After completing all the steps in the import customs clearance process, the goods can be scheduled for delivery to the specified address.

What is Export Clearance?

1. Export customs clearance is the process by which goods leave one country to be transported to another, constituting the exportation.

2. Export customs clearance requires relevant documents such as customs declaration materials.

3. Some products may be eligible for tax rebates after customs declaration, contingent on the actual circumstances.

4. Upon customs clearance, a release document is issued, allowing the goods to leave the country.

5.With the release document, arrangements can be made for the goods to be transported via plane or ship, preparing for the next stage of transportation.
 

How are duty rates determined?

1. The first step is to classify the product and determine its corresponding tariff code.

2. Understand the tariff rates associated with the specific tariff code in your country, as these duty rates vary significantly for different goods and countries.

3. Check if there are any trade agreements between the destination country and the country of origin, as trade agreements may provide tariff exemptions.

4. The declared value of the goods also affects the amount of taxes and fees.

5. Seek professional advice (e.g. from our JMD team) to resolve the issue.

6.Utilize online tools for reference, but note that they should be used as a general guide, and actual duty rates may vary.

What does a Customs Broker do?

Customs Broker:

Customs brokers actually help their clients with the work of making documents, reviewing them and then declaring them to Customs, that is, they have to deal with any problems that may arise in advance.
Customs Broker

What does a Custom Clearance Agent do?

Responsibility
1. Custom Clearance Agent responsibility is to provide customs clearance services.
 
Documents
2. Assisted clients in the preparation of documents.
 
 
Calculate
3. Identify the goods and assist the customer in accurately calculating the amount of customs duties.
Communicate
4. Communicate with customs to address any issues promptly during customs inspections.
 
Resolving problems
7. Resolving problems encountered, including document revisions, providing explanations during customs inspections and coordinating the resolution of tariff issues.
Status
5. Custom Clearance Agent can keep clients informed about the specific status of their goods throughout the process.
Consult
8. Offer a consultation platform where clients can inquire about customs clearance issues at any time.
 
 
Next steps.
6. After completing customs clearance, coordinate with logistics for the next steps.
 

What does Customs Clearance Completed mean ?

Fill out Accurately
Document content must be accurate to avoid customs clearance delays or additional fees due to errors.
 
Preparation in Advance
Start preparing relevant documents before the goods are shipped to ensure that they can be submitted in time when the goods arrive.
 
Communicate with Relevant Parties
Communicate with freight forwarders, customs, etc. in a timely manner to understand the special requirements and changes of the destination country, and adjust preparations in advance.
Preparation in Advance
Start preparing relevant documents before the goods are shipped to ensure that they can be submitted in time when the goods arrive.
 

What are the customs clearance fees for different countries？

 

1.The customs clearance fees in China:

 

Tems

currency ：USD

note

1.Import customs fees

45/BL

Includes first page customs declaration entry service fee

2.import billing fee

45/BL

 

3.Export Customs Brokerage Fee

30/BL

 

4.Inspection agent service fee

35/BL

 

5.sea passage passage (e.g. freight forwarding)

30/BL

 

6.inspection fee

AT COST

 

7.Import handling charges

30/BL

 
 

 

2.The customs clearance fees in Malaysia:

 

1.Custom clearance& Forwarding fees

USD65.00 per BL

2.Custom Supervision Fees

USD20.00 perBL

3.Custom Documentation

USD 10.00 per set

4.Custom EDI fees

USD10.00 per BL

5.Electronic Transfer Fund (EFT)

USD 10.00 per transaction

6.DG handling cost 

USD100.00 per BL

7.Handling fee

USD35.00 per BL
 

 

3.The customs clearance fees in Germany:

 

1.Custom clearance& Forwarding fees

EUR115/set （each entry incl. 1 HS code, each add. HS  EUR 10）

2.Handling fee

EUR65/set

3.The bank fee

EUR35/set

4.DG  fee  

EUR 200  IF DG
 

4.The customs clearance fees in Italy:

 
 

1.customs clearance 

EUR100

2.Handling

EUR 100.00

3.Transit T1 

EUR 95.00

4.Bank fee 

EUR35

 

5.The customs clearance fees in USA：

 

1.TERMINAL DESTINATION FEE

85USD/BL

2.CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, + ISF

150USD/BL

3.HANDLING + MESSENGER

135USD/BL

4.CONTAINER PREPULL

125USD/CTN

5.WAITING TIME

75USD/CTN

6.CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY DECLARATION

45USD/BL

7.HAZARDOUS MATERIAL CHARGES

150USD
 

6.The customs clearance fees in Spanish:

 

1.customs clearance

EUR100

2.Handling

 EUR 100.00

3.Transit T1 

EUR 95.00

4.Bank fee 

EUR35
 

FAQ:

  • Q How do I handle rejected shipments during China customs clearance?

    A
    Handle rejected shipments by understanding the reasons for rejection, working with customs brokers to resolve issues, re-submitting correct documentation, and complying with any additional requirements imposed by customs authorities.

  • Q What is the role of a Certificate of Origin in China customs clearance?

    A
    A Certificate of Origin verifies the country of origin of the goods being imported. It is required for customs clearance in China to determine the applicable duty rates and ensure compliance with trade agreements.

  • Q What is a bonded warehouse, and how does it work in China?

    A
    A bonded warehouse in China is a secure facility where imported goods can be stored without paying duties and taxes until they are released for domestic consumption. 

  • Q What are the steps for importing goods into China?

    A
    Steps for importing goods into China include:
    · Preparing the required documentation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, Certificate of Origin, etc.).
    · Submitting these documents to customs authorities.
    · Paying any applicable duties and taxes.
    · Ensuring compliance with all China customs clearance regulations.

  • Q Where can I find information on China customs regulations?

    A
    Information on China customs regulations can be found on the China customs website, government publications, or through consultation with customs brokers and trade experts who stay updated on regulatory changes.

  • Q What are China customs duty rates?

    A
    China customs duty rates vary depending on the type of goods, their classification under the Harmonized System (HS) code, and any applicable trade agreements. Rates can be found on the China customs website or through customs brokers.

  • Q Can I expedite the China customs clearance process?

    A

    Yes, the China customs clearance process can be expedited by ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete, using pre-clearance services, and working with experienced customs brokers who understand the regulations and procedures.


  • Q How can I ensure smooth customs clearance in China?

    A
    Ensure smooth China customs clearance by providing accurate and complete documentation, staying updated on regulatory changes, working with reputable customs brokers, and maintaining clear communication with all parties involved.

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