How to handle Inner Mongolia import agency and what are the key compliance points?

Question

I am engaged in mineral import, and recently plan to import coal from Mongolia to Erenhot Port in Inner Mongolia, but I am not familiar with the Inner Mongolia import agency process. I heard from peers before that customs declaration at Inner Mongolia ports is different from that at coastal ports.

For example, what special documents are required? How to handle customs transit to the inland after the goods arrive at Erenhot via land transport from Mongolia? Are there any tariff preferences for Inner Mongolia border trade in 2026?

I am worried that document errors will lead to port detention, or poor logistics connection will increase costs. I want to know the specific operation steps, required materials and key pitfalls that need special attention.

Daniel · Accepted Answer

For Inner Mongolia import agency，the core is to focus on pre-document audit first. Customs at China-Mongolia border ports impose stricter inspection on certificates of origin (FORM A or China-Mongolia FTA certificate). In 2026，the commodity code on the certificate of origin is required to be completely consistent with the record code of Mongolian exporters，and even one digit difference will lead to document rejection. For mineral products，a radioactivity test report issued by an officially recognized institution of Mongolia (valid for no more than 3 months) is also required，which is a mandatory requirement for Erenhot and Manzhouli ports. A previous client was detained for 15 days due to missing this report.

The next step is core node connection: after the goods arrive at the port via land transport，the customs transit application shall be submitted 3 days in advance (the Inner Mongolia customs transit system has been connected to the national integrated system). For inland transportation，close attention shall be paid to the free storage period -- the free storage period for containers in Erenhot is 7 days，and the overdue container detention fee is 150 yuan per 20-foot container per day (20% higher than that of coastal ports)，so the arrival time of inland vehicles at the port shall be confirmed in advance.

Then comes the exception response plan: do not delete the declaration directly in case of document discrepancy (which will affect credit rating)，but apply for "document correction" with the customs first (correction letter from the exporter plus official certificate is required). In case of land transport space shortage，"railway + highway" combined transport (Zamyn-Üüd → Erenhot → Hohhot → destination) is optional，which adds one link but avoids container rolling.

The last part is compliance implementation: 90% of mineral products are covered by the China-Mongolia FTA in 2026，with tariffs 10 to 15 percentage points lower than MFN tariffs，but the requirement of "wholly produced" shall be met (transshipped goods are not eligible). For foreign exchange，CIPS RMB payment is recommended，which saves 2 to 3 working days compared with SWIFT and has stable exchange rate.

Summary: Verify the completeness of documents 10 days in advance，monitor customs transit nodes，reduce costs with FTA preferences，give priority to correction in case of exceptions，control customs clearance time within 3 to 5 days，and the comprehensive cost is about 12% lower than self-operation.

David · Answer

For customs declaration at Inner Mongolia ports, attention shall be paid to local declaration under integrated customs clearance -- for example, goods imported via Erenhot can be declared locally in Hohhot, but "port customs transit information" shall be filed in advance. In 2026, the mineral price appraisal refers to the recorded transaction price of Mongolian exporters. If the declared price is 10% lower than the reference price, price inquiry will be initiated, and the price certificate issued by the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and transport documents shall be provided. The "country of departure" on the customs declaration form must be filled in as "Mongolia", otherwise it will be deemed as false declaration. For price appraisal disputes, consultation can be applied for, and supplementary materials shall be submitted within 3 working days, otherwise the application will be deemed as abandoned. Secondary declaration is usually required for unqualified radioactivity test results, which requires re-inspection by the port customs (1 to 2 days). It is recommended to send the electronic version of the report for pre-inspection in advance.

Charlotte · Answer

The core of Inner Mongolia import logistics is land transport connection -- vehicles traveling from Mongolia to Erenhot must hold China-Mongolia cross-border operation qualification (GPS and dual driving licenses are required in 2026). A straight bill of lading must be endorsed by the exporter for pickup, and delayed endorsement will lead to port detention. For small batches (≤100 tons), direct road transport is recommended; for large batches (≥500 tons), combined rail transport (Zamyn-Üüd → Erenhot → Baotou) is recommended, which saves 15% of freight compared with road transport, but railway space needs to be booked 20 days in advance (transport capacity will be tight in 2026). The container detention fee in Erenhot is free for the first 3 days, 100 yuan per day from day 4 to day 7, and 200 yuan per day after day 8, so container pickup shall be arranged in advance.

Ella · Answer

The core of Inner Mongolia import taxation is China-Mongolia FTA preferences and VAT deferral . In 2026, the tariff on coal will be reduced from 3% (MFN) to 1.5%, and the tariff on iron ore will be reduced from 2% to 1%, provided that the "wholly produced" requirement is met (transshipped goods are not eligible). Goods used for production and processing can apply for VAT deferral (no payment at import, payment after sale), which requires filing of processing trade manual and transport of goods under customs supervision. The 2% withholding tax paid by Mongolian exporters can be deducted from import tariffs, and a tax payment certificate is required. The application form for VAT deferral shall be submitted at the time of import, and no supplementary application is allowed after the deadline.

Olivia · Answer

For Inner Mongolia import foreign exchange, CIPS RMB payment is preferred, which saves 2 to 3 working days compared with SWIFT and has no intermediary fee (SWIFT intermediary fee is 0.1%) in 2026. The payment amount shall be consistent with the amount on the customs declaration form. For any difference, explanation such as freight note shall be provided, and the account shall be balanced within 15 working days. Delay will affect foreign exchange credit. The offshore account of Mongolian exporters shall be within the coverage of CIPS (3 Mongolian banks will be covered in 2026), otherwise a fund source certificate is required for payment via SWIFT.

Alexander · Answer

The force majeure clause shall be clearly specified in the Inner Mongolia import contract -- extreme weather such as sandstorms lasting for more than 3 consecutive days shall be deemed as force majeure in 2026, and the exporter shall provide the meteorological certificate issued by Mongolia within 24 hours. It is recommended that the title of goods be transferred after delivery of the bill of lading, and a telex release bill of lading requires a guarantee letter certified by the Mongolian Chamber of Commerce. Attention shall be paid to the exclusivity clause in long-term agreements. If the same type of goods is imported from other Mongolian merchants at the same time, 5% liquidated damages shall be paid.

Emily · Answer

The core of Inner Mongolia port inspection is seal authenticity and container unstuffing inspection . In 2026, container seals must comply with ISO 17712 standard, and the seal number shall be consistent with that on the customs declaration form. If the seal is damaged, the customs shall be notified immediately and the seal shall not be replaced without permission. The inspection rate for mineral products is 10%, and 1 to 2 kg of samples shall be provided. If the goods are inconsistent with the declaration, it will be deemed as false commodity declaration and the goods will be detained for 10 to 15 days. It is recommended to send samples for verification in advance. If the radioactivity exceeds the standard (>0.5Bq/g) in machine inspection, re-inspection is required (2 days), so advance testing is recommended to ensure compliance.

Sophia · Answer

Inner Mongolia import packaging requires MSDS compliance with standards -- in 2026, the MSDS for mineral products shall contain radioactivity data and comply with GB 15603-2022. For transport from Mongolia to Inner Mongolia, moisture-proof measures (cushioning + desiccant) and steel band reinforcement are required. If the goods are displaced or tilted, re-reinforcement will be required. Dangerous goods (such as high-sulfur coal) require UN standard packaging and a classification and identification report issued by a Chinese recognized institution, otherwise the goods will be detained.

Robert · Answer

Inner Mongolia import supply chain requires cost actuarial calculation and inventory linkage . In 2026, land transport costs will increase by 8%. CIF Erenhot cost = FOB + freight + insurance + tariff + VAT, FOB Erenhot = FOB + tariff + VAT + inland transport, and FOB term saves about 5% of cost. The port warehouse capacity is limited (Erenhot has a capacity of 50,000 tons), so the goods shall be transited to the inland customs supervised warehouse within 2 days. Enterprises with annual import volume ≥100,000 tons can set up a subsidiary in Inner Mongolia to enjoy a border subsidy of 2 yuan per ton, saving about 200,000 yuan per year.