What core points should be considered when choosing an import business agency?
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I import frozen food from Southeast Asia. I encountered problems shortly after expanding my business this year—my previous agency didn’t check the updated frozen food duty-paid price by the customs at the end of 2025, almost leading to a supplementary tax of 50,000 yuan; last time, the goods were detained at Shanghai Port for 3 days, costing over 20,000 yuan in container detention fees.
Now I want to change agencies. I heard that customs electronic document requirements will be stricter in 2026, and there are new VAT deferral policies.
Can they handle these? Also, I’m worried about cargo ownership being held up and logistics container skipping. Which agency can really solve these practical problems?
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
When choosing an import business agency，you can’t just look at the quotation，you need to focus on full-process compliance and node control. First is pre-document review—customs will implement "electronic document pre-validation" in 2026. The agency must check the certificate of origin，health certificate，etc。7 working days in advance to ensure 100% consistency with system records and avoid declaration errors.
For core node connection，pay attention to port linkage: the free storage period for frozen food at Shanghai Port is 5 days. The agency must coordinate with the customs broker and cold chain yard simultaneously，and pick up the container within 24 hours after customs clearance to avoid container detention fees (150 USD per 40-foot container per day). Under the 2026 VAT deferral policy，the agency must check the deferral option when filing for you to avoid pre-paying 13% VAT which ties up capital (130,000 yuan in working capital can be saved for goods worth 1 million yuan).
Key exception plans: During inspection，the agency must be familiar with frozen food sampling standards (proportion ≤3%) and cooperate with inspection within 48 hours to avoid spoilage，in case of container skipping，there should be backup shipping space (such as alternative ships on Southeast Asia routes) and re-arrange transportation within 3 days.
Finally，check the implementation capability: whether they have frozen food import cases，nationwide port outlets，and can provide electronic cargo ownership tracking. It is recommended to choose an agency that can provide similar cases in the past 6 months and confirm the timeliness of each node.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
There are two new changes in frozen food price assessment in 2026: First, ASEAN Free Trade Area tax rates (frozen chicken from 12% to 8%), the agency must accurately identify and apply for it; Second, the duty-paid price includes cold chain surcharges, and omissions will lead to supplementary taxes. For commodity code classification, pay attention to processing methods (cooked/raw), and incorrect classification will result in a fine of 5% of the goods value.
In case of price assessment disputes, the agency must submit third-party price certificates (ASEAN invoices, international market prices) for review within 3 days. Under integrated customs clearance, coordinate multi-port data to avoid repeated declarations.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
The core of frozen food logistics is temperature control timeliness: direct flights from Southeast Asia will decrease in 2026, so transshipment needs to choose Singapore temperature-controlled yards (below -18℃). The free storage period for frozen food at Shanghai Port is 5 days (counted from the day after arrival), and the overdue container detention fee is 150 USD per 40-foot container per day.
During peak seasons (before Spring Festival), sign priority shipping space allocation agreements to prevent container skipping. Bill of lading endorsement should be completed 3 days before arrival. In case of typhoon delays, coordinate backup cold chain trucks to maintain temperature.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
2026 frozen food tax incentives: VAT deferral needs to meet "production/sales purposes", submit an application form when filing, and deduct input tax in the next month (130,000 yuan in capital costs can be saved for goods worth 1 million yuan).
ASEAN tariff reduction requires a valid FORM E (issued by the chamber of commerce); if invalid, the most-favored-nation tax rate (4% higher) applies. Under the China-Thailand tax treaty, withholding tax is reduced from 20% to 10%, and the agency must confirm applicability.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
Payment and receipt of foreign exchange must use CIPS RMB settlement (2026 new regulation). The capital flow must be consistent with the cargo flow and document flow (payment matches bill of lading/invoice), and offshore accounts need customs registration.
Choose the timing of RMB depreciation for foreign exchange settlement—1% exchange rate difference for goods worth 1 million USD can save 10,000 yuan. Abnormal transactions (difference over 5%) will be controlled by the bank, affecting subsequent foreign exchange settlement.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
The agency contract must clarify: Cargo ownership is transferred after bill of lading endorsement (to avoid detention); port detention fees/supplementary taxes caused by the agency’s document errors are borne by them; force majeure includes shipping schedule delays/inspections. Frozen food brands need customs intellectual property registration; the validity period of the letter of guarantee shall not exceed 30 days after customs clearance (to avoid occupying credit lines).
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
Frozen food inspection: Sampling proportion for bulk goods ≤3%, pre-packaged goods ≤1%; prepare sterile sampling spoons in advance; temperature must be below -18℃, and exceeding the standard will lead to re-testing and delayed customs clearance.
The seal number must be consistent with the bill of lading; if damaged, take photos immediately and report to customs. The test report needs to interpret microbial indicators (comply with GB 2733), and unqualified goods should be returned/destroyed in time.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
Frozen food packaging must meet UN requirements: waterproof and thermal insulation materials (EPS+PE), marked with "Refrigerated -18℃"; dangerous goods (including additives) need UN numbers (e.g., UN 1950). Fragile frozen goods (seafood) should be buffered with bubble wrap; those containing preservatives need to prepare MSDS according to GB 15603 standard to avoid customs penalties.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Supply chain planning: Choose Shanghai Port in East China (sufficient cold chain resources), use CIF terms (agency is responsible for transportation insurance) to avoid FOB container skipping risks. Link inventory with domestic cold chain warehouses (to avoid backlogs); accurately calculate the balance between transshipment ships (10% cheaper but 2 days more) and direct ships—10,000 to 20,000 yuan in logistics costs can be saved for goods worth 1 million yuan.