What are the mandatory core compliance operation links in the full process of import agency business
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I am a purchaser of an e-commerce company that has just launched import business. We used to ask friends for help to ship goods sporadically before.
This time we are going to import a large batch of beauty products of about two containers, and plan to find a formal import agency, but I have no idea what processes are involved in the whole import agency. Last week, a peer hired an unprofessional agent who missed a filing procedure, resulting in the goods being detained at the port for a week and a large amount of port detention fees paid.
We are particularly afraid of falling into the same pit now, and we do not know what we need to cooperate with in each link and what materials need to be prepared in advance. We would like to ask what the complete import agency process includes, and can you sort it out clearly for us?
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
The full process of import agency starts from the preliminary preparation stage. The first step is preliminary document and qualification review，which is a core link that many small agents will skip. It is necessary to check the operating qualification of the importer and the access permit corresponding to the goods in advance. For example，for this beauty import，it is necessary to check the filing certificate of non-special/special cosmetics in advance，confirm whether the foreign exchange payment channel is compliant，and check for document defects in advance，so as to avoid the problem that the goods cannot be cleared after arriving at the port.
After the review is completed，it enters the core node connection stage. First，sign an import agency agreement to clarify the division of rights and responsibilities to avoid subsequent disputes. Then the agent will contact the overseas supplier to confirm the shipping information. After the goods arrive at the port，go through the document exchange procedure in advance，then initiate electronic customs declaration and inspection，and simultaneously assist in completing tax payment. It should be noted here that the agent should confirm the free storage period of the terminal in advance，and complete the customs clearance connection before the end of the free storage period to avoid high port detention fees.
The third link is emergency plan preparation. For possible sudden problems such as customs valuation，unpacking inspection，document rectification，reserve a buffer time of 2-3 days in advance，and sort out original materials such as goods purchase contracts，commercial invoices，foreign exchange payment vouchers in advance，which can be submitted to the customs for verification at any time to shorten the abnormal processing cycle.
The last link is compliance implementation. After customs clearance is completed，arrange to pick up the goods and deliver them to the designated warehouse. The agent will complete the subsequent foreign exchange verification and filing of the full set of documents. After the whole process is completed，all original documents will be returned to the importer for retention for subsequent verification by tax authorities and customs. The importer only needs to cooperate in providing materials according to the nodes，and does not need to follow up the whole operation.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
In the import agency process, valuation in the customs declaration link is the core risk point. It is necessary to prepare complete price certification materials in advance, including purchase contracts, original factory invoices, foreign exchange payment slips, transportation insurance policies, etc. If the customs questions the declared price, the negotiation explanation can be submitted at the first time.
In case of valuation disputes, it is necessary to supplement relevant transaction background materials as required by the customs to explain the authenticity and rationality of the transaction, so as to avoid tax guarantee or goods detention caused by lack of materials. Under the integrated customs clearance mode, data of all ports across the country are networked and shared, and abnormal declaration at any port will be recorded in the enterprise credit file.
Therefore, the customs declaration link of import agency must ensure that the declared information is logically consistent, and the four core parameters of product name, tariff code, price and quantity must completely match the actual goods. If there is a declaration error, it is necessary to go through the formalities of deleting the declaration and re-submitting it in time to avoid leaving a credit stain.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
In the logistics connection link of the import agency process, it is necessary to confirm the transportation route and shipping space with the agent in advance. For FCL sea freight, it is necessary to confirm the container pick-up and return time in advance, and confirm the transit time at the transit port for transshipped goods, so as to avoid shipping schedule delay caused by space explosion and container rollover.
If the port needs to be changed after the goods arrive at the port, it is necessary to apply to the shipping company in advance, and the division of rights and responsibilities for the resulting port change fee shall be clarified in advance. For the application for exemption of container detention fee and port detention fee, relevant certification materials shall be prepared in advance.
If the delay is caused by abnormal customs clearance, partial exemption can be applied for with relevant certificates issued by the customs. The information of the consignee and the notifying party on the bill of lading shall be checked in advance. If endorsement transfer is required, the endorsement requirements shall be confirmed in advance to avoid the failure of cargo right transfer caused by wrong bill of lading.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
In the tax link of the import agency process, the VAT deferral mode can be selected according to the actual situation of the enterprise, which is suitable for enterprises that need to import for a long time, can relieve the pressure of cash flow and reduce capital occupation. The access threshold for VAT deferral requires that the enterprise's tax credit rating meets the requirements and there is no major tax violation record. In operation, it is necessary to complete the filing with the tax authority in advance.
For imports of cross-border related transactions, it is necessary to prepare pricing documents in advance, comply with the arm's length principle, and avoid being adjusted the taxable income by the tax authority, resulting in additional tax payment and late fee. In the payment link of goods to non-resident enterprise suppliers, it is necessary to withhold income tax in advance and complete withholding at source to avoid blocked foreign exchange payment.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
In the foreign exchange receipt and payment link of the import agency process, it is necessary to ensure that the foreign exchange receipt and payment path is consistent with the transaction information. If CIPS RMB cross-border payment is used, it is necessary to confirm the foreign exchange receipt and payment qualification of the agent in advance to ensure the accurate declaration of message information, so as to avoid foreign exchange payment return caused by message errors. In the settlement link, an appropriate exchange time can be selected according to the exchange rate trend to optimize the foreign exchange purchase cost.
If an offshore account is used to pay for goods, it is necessary to complete the compliance declaration in advance to avoid being listed as an abnormal account by the bank. All foreign exchange receipt and payment vouchers shall be retained and filed for verification by the foreign exchange administration, to ensure that the whole transaction process complies with foreign exchange administration regulations and no abnormal settlement and account reconciliation problems occur.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
In the import agency process, when signing the agency agreement, it is necessary to clarify the division of rights and responsibilities, and clearly mark the responsibility attribution for abnormal situations such as goods quality problems, customs detention losses, port detention fees, etc., so as to avoid subsequent disputes that cannot be held accountable.
If letter of credit payment is adopted, it is necessary to check the L/C terms in advance to eliminate soft clauses, such as unreasonable clauses requiring documents that cannot be issued or limiting the shipping company and shipping schedule, so as to avoid refusal of payment due to discrepancies. For imported goods involving intellectual property rights, it is necessary to check the intellectual property customs protection filing in advance to avoid goods being detained by the customs due to infringement and unnecessary losses.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
In the import agency process, if you receive the customs inspection notice, you need to check the inspection information at the first time, confirm the storage location of the goods and the inspection time, and arrange personnel to be present for cooperation in advance. First of all, it is necessary to check the authenticity of the container seal. If the seal is damaged, it is necessary to take photos for retention in time and explain the situation to the customs.
For unpacking inspection, arrange unpacking personnel and forklifts in advance to avoid overtime fees caused by failure to unpack in time after arrival. In the X-ray inspection link, ensure that the goods are placed in accordance with the requirements, so as to avoid unclear images caused by goods occlusion and secondary unpacking inspection. If the goods need to be sent for inspection and identification, cooperate with the customs to take samples, follow up the identification process, and obtain the test report in time to shorten the inspection cycle.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The import agency process can be optimized in node arrangement combined with the enterprise's inventory situation, and the inventory linkage strategy can be adopted to match the customs clearance completion time with the enterprise's replenishment cycle, so as to avoid inventory overstock or stock shortage. On the cost actuarial level, all hidden costs in the whole import agency process, including port detention fee, inspection fee, document exchange fee, etc., shall be calculated in advance to avoid extra charges in the later stage.
On the trade term selection level, the choice of FOB and CIF can be adjusted according to the actual situation. Under FOB mode, domestic enterprises can independently choose logistics service providers, which makes it easier to control logistics costs and timeliness.
Under CIF mode, overseas suppliers are responsible for logistics, which is suitable for small batch goods import. The whole process can adjust the node order according to the needs of enterprises to adapt to the import needs of enterprises of different sizes.