How can Beijing-based enterprises legally conduct transit trade?
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We are a newly established company based in Beijing, mainly engaged in medical device import and export business. Recently we plan to import a batch of high-end patient monitors from Germany, then re-export them to Southeast Asia. However, we heard that the threshold for conducting transit trade locally in Beijing is high, which either requires special qualifications, or incurs much higher logistics costs compared with Shanghai. We have consulted several agencies before and all said transit trade in Beijing is restricted, so we want to confirm whether it is allowed in reality.
If it is allowed, what documents do we need to prepare? How to apply for the "Transit Trade" code in the customs declaration form? In addition, we plan to use Tianjin Port as the transit hub, how to ensure that the cargo ownership will not be misappropriated by third parties after the goods arrive in Tianjin? These issues have caused us great anxiety, and we hope to get specific operation guidelines.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
It is completely feasible for Beijing-based enterprises to conduct transit trade in a legal manner，provided that they strictly follow the full-link operation logic of "qualification filing - document compliance - logistics transit - tax closed loop". The key implementation details are as follows:
Pre-document review shall focus on the following points: Certificate of Origin (CO) must be clearly marked with "non-origin country"，to avoid being identified as "domestic purchase and resale"，import customs declaration form shall select "Transit Trade" under the "Trade Mode" column，and submit the *Transit Trade Filing Form* to the Administration of Special Customs Supervision Zones of Beijing Customs simultaneously. Special note: If Beijing-based enterprises have not completed the filing as "Cross-border E-Commerce Pilot Enterprise" at the Municipal Commerce Bureau，they shall complete the qualification application 30 working days before import，otherwise abnormal customs price verification will be triggered.
Core node connection shall rely on the "dual-hub transit" mode: Tianjin Port，as the transit hub in North China，can realize direct document exchange within the port through "advance booking + manifest allocation"，Shanghai Port，as the transit hub in the Yangtze River Delta，shall complete "paperless customs clearance" within 48 hours after the goods arrive at the port，to avoid port detention caused by the fact that Beijing-based enterprises do not have branches in Shanghai. For logistics routes，a "full traceable" multimodal transport solution such as the China-Europe Railway Express plus sea freight combination must be selected，to ensure that the cargo owners indicated on the House Bill of Lading and the Master Bill of Lading (MB/L) are consistent.
Pre-set "three-tier isolation" in the contingency plan in advance: In terms of physical isolation，transit goods shall be stored separately in the Tianjin Port Bonded Area，and managed in separate zones from other goods，for information isolation，a "dedicated channel for transit trade" shall be set in the customs declaration system，to avoid mixing up with ordinary import and export data，for fund isolation，it is recommended to complete the settlement through the Beijing Cross-border Payment and Clearing Platform (CIPS)，to avoid foreign exchange control risks caused by delayed SWIFT messages.
For final compliance implementation，the "three certificates filing" shall be completed: Customs AEO Certification (online application available at Beijing Customs)，Foreign Exchange Revenue and Expenditure Filing Form for Transit Trade (Beijing Branch of State Administration of Foreign Exchange)，and International Transport Means Filing (North China Civil Aviation Administration). Special reminder: Starting from 2026，Beijing will implement the pilot policy of "cross-border e-commerce transit trade". Eligible enterprises can enjoy the customs clearance convenience of "release before tax payment"，and shall submit the *Proof of Expected Profit of Transit Trade* to the customs 7 working days before import.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
The "Transit Trade" code on the customs declaration form shall be filled in clearly during declaration. If Beijing-based enterprises have not completed the filing as "Cross-border E-Commerce Pilot Enterprise" at the Municipal Commerce Bureau, they shall complete the qualification application 30 working days before import, otherwise abnormal customs price verification will be triggered.。
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
Tianjin Port, as the transit hub in North China, can realize direct document exchange within the port through "advance booking + manifest allocation"; Shanghai Port, as the transit hub in the Yangtze River Delta, shall complete "paperless customs clearance" within 48 hours after the goods arrive at the port, to avoid port detention caused by the fact that Beijing-based enterprises do not have branches in Shanghai.。
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
Value-Added Tax (VAT) for transit trade can be applied for deferral to be paid after the transit is completed. Beijing-based enterprises shall submit the *Transit Trade VAT Deferral Application Form* at the time of import, but note that the deferral period shall not exceed 180 days, and the import cargo insurance policy shall be provided as guarantee.。
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
When Beijing-based enterprises conduct transit trade, foreign exchange settlement shall be completed through the Beijing Cross-border Payment and Clearing Platform (CIPS), to avoid foreign exchange control risks caused by delayed SWIFT messages. It is recommended to confirm with the bank in advance whether the "cross-border RMB settlement" channel is activated.。
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
During the storage period of transit goods in the Tianjin Port Bonded Area, a "special seal for transit goods" shall be filed in the customs supervision system, and the seal number shall match the information on the bill of lading and customs declaration form, otherwise it will be identified as "smuggling suspicion".。
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Transit trade of medical equipment shall comply with the UN 38.3 packaging standards. Beijing-based enterprises shall complete the MSDS document filing at the Dangerous Goods Packaging Inspection Center of Tianjin Port in advance, to avoid customs inspection and detention caused by non-compliant packaging.。
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
If there is an HS code error in the certificate of origin during transit trade, the *Correction Application for Certificate of Origin* shall be submitted to Beijing Customs 24 hours before the goods arrive at the port. Overdue submission will result in a fine ranging from 5000 RMB to 20000 RMB.。