What are the core links included in the complete operation procedure of agent import business?
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We are a cross-border e-commerce enterprise mainly engaged in imported beauty and personal care products. The order volume has skyrocketed in recent months. We often make mistakes when handling import customs declaration and logistics on our own.
Last month, a batch of goods was detained by the customs due to missing document declaration, which caused considerable losses. Now we plan to outsource the import business to a professional agent, but we have no idea about the complete process of agent import at all.
From the initial contract signing to the final delivery of goods to the warehouse, what will the agent do in each link? What materials do I need to provide for cooperation? Please explain it in detail to avoid repeating previous mistakes.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
The full process of agent import in 2026 has realized full-link electronic collaboration，which is divided into four core stages: pre-document audit，core node connection，on-site inspection and tax payment，and compliance closure. The first is the pre-document audit link. The agent will complete full document verification within 7 working days after the contract is signed，including import contracts，commercial invoices，packing lists，certificates of origin，trade authenticity supporting materials，etc. Pre-document review requires submission in advance to avoid customs clearance delays caused by temporary document supplement.
The second stage is core node connection: First，complete foreign exchange settlement and filing. Relying on the 2026 upgraded CIPS cross-border payment system，the agent will assist in completing the trade background review before handling foreign exchange payment to avoid exchange difference losses，then submit the electronic customs declaration form through the national integrated customs clearance platform. If the goods are eligible under free trade agreements，the agent will simultaneously apply for preferential tariff rates to reduce customs clearance costs. At the same time，the agent will coordinate international logistics，choose direct or transit routes according to the attributes of the goods，and confirm the free storage period and free container period at the port of destination.
The third stage is on-site inspection and tax payment: If the customs selects the goods for physical inspection，the on-site inspection specialist of the agent will cooperate to complete the seal verification，goods counting and other work. If any document discrepancy is found，the agent will coordinate to supplement materials immediately. For tax payment，you can choose the VAT deferral policy promoted nationwide in 2026. VAT deferral requires filing in the customs system in advance，no need to pay import VAT immediately，which can ease the capital pressure of enterprises.
The fourth stage is abnormal contingency plan and compliance closure: If problems such as customs detention and port detention occur，the agent will trace the source loopholes immediately，such as missing document filling，incorrect goods category declaration，etc。arrange for declaration cancellation and re-submission or communicate with the customs to strive for grace period. After the goods are released，the agent will sort out the full set of customs clearance documents，assist in the completion of goods ownership transfer，warehousing and distribution. The full set of documents must be kept for at least 10 years to cope with subsequent tax inspections and customs audits.
Throughout the whole process，the agent will synchronize the progress in real time. Customers only need to cooperate to provide core trade materials，no need to personally contact multiple parties such as customs and shipping companies，effectively avoiding the previous risks of goods detention and port detention.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In 2026, the customs price verification system has realized automatic AI comparison. When handling agent import customs declaration, you need to provide complete transaction price proof in advance, including purchase contracts, commercial invoices, details of freight and insurance premiums, official quotations from overseas suppliers, etc., to avoid price verification delays caused by inconsistency between the declared price and the customs database. In case of price verification disputes, you can apply for the customs advance ruling service to confirm the commodity classification and dutiable value in advance. The processing period for advance ruling in 2026 has been shortened to 3 working days.
If declaration cancellation and re-submission is required due to declaration errors, a written application must be submitted within 3 working days after the error is found, explaining the cause of the error and providing the corrected documents. The national integrated customs clearance platform has realized online handling of declaration cancellation and re-submission, no need for offline visits. In addition, ports in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta have realized customs clearance data interconnection. If goods are declared at the Shanghai port, no re-declaration is required for subsequent transit to Guangzhou port, which greatly shortens the customs clearance time.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In 2026, the space of international maritime transport still faces periodic shortage. In the logistics link of agent import, you need to book space 14 days in advance, prioritize direct routes to shorten the transportation cycle, and confirm the transshipment port handling efficiency and free container period connection for transit routes. Customers who sign long-term cooperation agreements with shipping companies can apply for a maximum of 21 days of free storage period at the destination port, to avoid high port detention fees caused by customs clearance delays.
The endorsement transfer of telex release bill of lading needs to be confirmed online through the cross-border logistics system, no need to mail paper documents offline. If the imported goods are dangerous goods, UN packaging appraisal report and MSDS documents need to be provided in advance to ensure compliance with international maritime dangerous goods transport specifications.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
The VAT deferral policy in 2026 has covered all major ports nationwide. You need to complete filing in the customs system in advance when handling agent import. For filing, you need to provide authentic trade contracts and goods ownership proof. False deferral application will face customs inspection and fines. The pricing of cross-border related party transactions must comply with BEPS rules, and the pricing documents of related party transactions must be kept to ensure that the transaction price is at the fair market level.
If the import business involves non-resident enterprises, withholding tax must be declared in advance to avoid late surcharge caused by failure to pay tax on time. The export tax refund for cross-border e-commerce imports can be completed through paperless declaration. It is necessary to ensure the consistency of cargo flow, capital flow, document flow and information flow, and keep the full set of documents for at least 10 years.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
Cross-border receipt and payment of foreign exchange in 2026 must be completed through CIPS or SWIFT system. The agent will assist in verifying the authenticity of the trade background, to ensure that each foreign exchange payment has corresponding import contract and commercial invoice.
The management of offshore accounts must comply with CRS declaration requirements, to avoid account freezing due to undeclared account information. For settlement, cross-border RMB settlement can be selected to avoid exchange difference losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations.
The arrival time of RMB cross-border payment in 2026 has been shortened to T+1. If large amount of foreign exchange payment is involved, trade authenticity supporting materials need to be submitted to the bank in advance to avoid the foreign exchange receipt and payment being suspended by the bank.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
The agent import contract must clearly specify the rights and obligations of both parties, including clauses such as customs clearance responsibility, logistics expense bearing, and goods ownership transfer time. The force majeure clause must clearly cover extreme situations such as epidemic, war, port strikes, to ensure reasonable exemption from liability when accidents occur. Letter of Indemnity (LOI) must clearly specify the guaranteed amount, guarantee period and compensation conditions, to avoid invalid LOI.
If the imported goods involve intellectual property rights, intellectual property customs protection filing must be completed in advance. If suspected infringement is found, you can apply for the customs to detain the goods and start the rights protection procedure. Soft clauses in the letter of credit, such as requiring provision of unobtainable supporting documents, must be avoided, and timely communicate with the issuing bank for modification.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
All customs seals for on-site inspection are attached with a unique QR code, which can be scanned and verified for authenticity through the official customs APP, to avoid goods ownership disputes caused by counterfeit seals. If the goods are selected for physical inspection, the goods shall be arranged by category in advance to avoid repeated alarms which prolong the inspection time. Before the container unpacking inspection, the goods shall be sorted out for the convenience of customs officers to count.
If inconsistency between the goods and the declaration is found, supplementary explanation materials shall be provided immediately. If the goods need to be sent for inspection and appraisal, contact the designated customs testing institution in advance to confirm the inspection cycle and cost, adjust the declaration information according to the test report, to ensure that the declaration is consistent with the actual attributes of the goods.