What is the complete process of import plastic raw material agency
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I am the procurement lead of a domestic trading company. We plan to import a batch of PE recycled plastic raw materials from Southeast Asia in 2026 for downstream plastic product manufacturing, which will be our first ever plastic raw material import business.
I heard from peers that import of plastic raw materials often gets stuck on document verification, faces customs price audit, or even gets detained at the port due to packaging problems. I have no clear idea about the whole process now and want to hire a professional agent to follow up the entire procedure.
Our goods are scheduled to arrive at Shanghai Yangshan Port in June, and we need the agent to assist with customs declaration, international logistics, foreign exchange settlement and subsequent import VAT deduction related matters. Could you explain the full agency process in detail and tell us how to avoid common pitfalls?
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
First of all，start with pre-arrival document review. In 2026，customs supervision on HS codes for plastic raw materials keeps tightening. You need to confirm the corresponding HS code first (for example，recycled polyethylene falls under the heading of 3901.3000)，and review the Certificate of Origin，Phytosanitary Certificate，MSDS Report simultaneously. If the imported recycled raw material belongs to restricted category，you shall apply for the import license in advance.
At the core node connection stage，complete overseas document exchange first，then submit the customs declaration form via Shanghai International Trade Single Window. You need to prepare complete supporting documents for transaction price (procurement contract，freight invoice，insurance policy) to avoid customs inquiries on price verification. If the goods are selected for machine inspection，cooperate with on-site customs check，sort out product category information in advance to realize fast verification. At the tax payment stage，you can apply for the VAT Deferred Payment Pilot Program to ease capital occupation pressure.
For emergency response plans，if port demurrage occurs，you can apply to the port authority for a 14-day free storage period immediately to avoid high demurrage charges，if customs detention happens，sort out all goods compliance certificates right away and submit to customs for statement of defense. At the final delivery stage，complete foreign exchange settlement through CIPS to ensure authentic trade background，and retain the full set of documents for subsequent import VAT deduction.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
In 2026, customs will launch an intelligent price verification system that automatically compares transaction prices of goods in the same category. You shall prepare complete supporting price documents including procurement contracts, bank slips of overseas sellers, freight and insurance vouchers etc. before declaration.
If customs has queries on the declared price, provide relevant party transaction explanation (if applicable) in time to avoid suspense account or declaration cancellation and re-submission. If you adopt the integrated customs clearance mode, you can finish declaration at the local customs and the goods will be released directly at Yangshan Port, which saves on-site waiting time.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
Direct sailing routes from Southeast Asia to Shanghai have stable schedules, so you are recommended to prioritize direct routes to avoid container rollover during transshipment. You can apply to the port authority for a 14-day free storage period before goods arrival.
If goods delivery is delayed afterwards, you can apply for an additional 7-day extension to reduce demurrage expenses. The bill of lading shall be made with registered endorsement to ensure clear goods ownership. If port of destination modification is required, submit the application to the shipping company 3 working days before ship departure to avoid port modification handling fees.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
In 2026, Shanghai Port will run the VAT deferred payment pilot policy. Enterprises with general taxpayer qualification can apply for deferred import VAT payment to ease short-term capital pressure.
Cross-border related party transaction pricing shall comply with BEPS rules, and you shall prepare comparable analysis reports in advance to prevent tax authorities from adjusting the pricing. When making foreign exchange payments, you can use the CIPS RMB cross-border payment system to avoid exchange losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations, and simplify the settlement process at the same time.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
You shall ensure authentic trade background for import foreign exchange payments, each payment corresponds to a unique customs declaration number to avoid suspense account. If you use an offshore account for settlement, complete the compliance filing of the account in advance to ensure traceable capital flow.
When conducting foreign exchange settlement, you can choose exchange rate optimization solutions, lock the exchange rate through forward foreign exchange settlement and sale to reduce exchange difference losses. Meanwhile, fill in transaction information strictly in accordance with SWIFT message specifications to avoid message rejection.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
If you adopt letter of credit for settlement, check soft clauses carefully to avoid non-payment situations, such as clauses requiring the provision of unobtainable inspection certificates. You can add force majeure clauses in the contract as a fallback, to clarify responsibility division for scenarios including goods delay, quality non-conformity and so on.
If the counterparty requires advance payment, you can ask them to issue a performance guarantee to secure your goods ownership, and meanwhile complete customs intellectual property record filing to avoid detention caused by intellectual property infringement.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
Before on-site customs inspection, verify that the seal number is consistent with the number on the bill of lading, and confirm the seal has not been tampered with or damaged. When unpacking, place goods by category to facilitate fast customs verification. If abnormality is detected through machine inspection, cooperate with customs to open the container for inspection.
If customs requests sample testing, contact the designated testing institution at Shanghai Port and prepare samples in advance to ensure the test report meets national standards. You shall be present throughout the inspection process and respond to customs inquiries in a timely manner.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
The MSDS report for recycled plastic raw materials shall be compiled in line with 2026 standards, with clear specifications of components, hazards and first-aid measures. Outer packaging shall be wrapped with waterproof and moisture-proof PE film, pallets shall be made of solid wood or composite material with IPPC fumigation mark affixed.
If the goods fall under hazardous category, apply for UN packaging appraisal certificate in advance, select standard-compliant cushioning packaging materials to prevent goods damage during transportation.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
If you process the imported raw materials into finished products for export later, ensure four flows are aligned, namely the one-to-one correspondence of contract, invoice, customs declaration form and foreign exchange collection voucher.
Complete import VAT deduction declaration every month, and retain the full set of documents for tax verification. If tax abnormality occurs, prepare trade background supporting materials in time, cooperate with tax authorities' verification to avoid negative impacts on subsequent export tax refund processes.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
You can arrange import time according to production plans, adopt the JIT inventory mode to reduce costs caused by excess raw material inventory. Compare cost differences between CIF and FOB trade terms, and select the most suitable settlement method.
Reduce unit transportation cost through centralized procurement, and hedge exchange rate risks via forward foreign exchange contracts. In 2026, the pilot scope of cross-border e-commerce import is expanded, so you can also select the appropriate import mode according to your business demands.