2026 Import Customs Clearance Full Process: Compliance Points from Price Verification to Release

1.Breakdown of Core Process of Import Customs Clearance at Shanghai Port

Import customs clearance is not just about filling out the "declaration form",but involves multi-department collaboration and dynamic policies.Taking 2026 as an example,the customs has upgraded the price verification standards for high-value products (such as precision instruments,chemicals),and products with low declaration risks are put on the key control list.A batch of German machine tools followed by Supervisor Cai I encountered was classified as "other machinery" instead of "specific industrial machine tools" in HS code,leading the customs to verify the price under the "general machinery" category,resulting in an extra 23% of tariffs being paid.This type of error is essentially a mismatch between the declaration elements and the actual product — the spindle speed and accuracy parameters of the machine tools were not reflected in the declaration form,directly triggering the customs’ classification query.

1.Customs Price Verification: Triple Verification from Classification to Price Proof

The core of the price verification process is "price authenticity" and "classification accuracy".The newly added "Price Comparison System" in 2026 will automatically capture historical declaration data of similar products.If the declared price deviates from the system benchmark price by more than 10%,manual inspection will be directly triggered.For example,the American agricultural product processing equipment handled by Agent Qian had a declared price 15% lower than the system benchmark price,so three additional documents were required: ① Certificate of Origin (to prove non-EU country,difference in tariff rates); ② Factory Inspection Report of the Equipment (to prove performance parameters); ③ Comparison Table of Transaction Prices with Third-Party Importers (to prove price rationality).If these materials are prepared in advance,the inspection time can be shortened by 50%.

2.CIQ Pre-inspection: Resolving Label and Quarantine Risks in Advance

The CIQ process is divided into "statutory inspection" and "non-statutory inspection".The new regulation in 2026 requires that imported cosmetics must complete "label filing" before customs declaration; otherwise,even if all documents are complete,they will be returned.Last year,a batch of Japanese cosmetics was detained for 3 days at Shanghai Port during inspection because the label did not mark the "preservative ingredient proportion",resulting in a demurrage fee of 23,000 yuan.Zhongshitong’s solutions are: ① Submit label review applications to the CIQ bureau 3 working days in advance; ② Use the "cosmetics ingredient list" instead of the "Chinese label" for pre-inspection first; ③ Prepare the "Importer Qualification Certificate" at the same time to ensure subsequent filing is approved.

3.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Special Products Need Pre-filing

Imports involving animal and plant products must strictly follow the "Administrative Measures for the Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit of the People’s Republic of China".For example,the Australian beef handled by Agent Liu was detained by the customs until obtaining approval because the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" was not applied for in advance.The processing cycle for such permits is 7-10 working days,and it is necessary to confirm in advance: ① whether the exporting country is an epidemic area; ② whether the quarantine certificate includes a "non-epidemic area certificate"; ③ whether the transportation vehicle meets the requirements of "cold chain transportation".Zhongshitong,through establishing a green channel with the CIQ bureau,has compressed the processing cycle of such permits to within 3 working days.

2.5 Hidden Risks in Import Customs Clearance in 2026 and Countermeasures

Hidden fees and policy changes are the main causes of customs clearance delays.Taking demurrage as an example,the free storage period of shipping companies has been reduced from 7 days to 5 days.If the goods are not picked up after the deadline,a demurrage fee of 0.5% of the goods value will be charged daily.Last year,a batch of German auto parts handled by Supervisor Cai was charged an redundant 12,000 yuan by the shipping company because the difference between the "telex release bill of lading" and the "original bill of lading" was not checked in time when exchanging the bill of lading.Zhongshitong’s risk control logic is: ① Confirm the "arrival time - pickup reservation" with the shipping company in advance; ② Arrange dedicated personnel to follow the entire bill of lading exchange process; ③ Adopt the strategy of "inspection first then pickup" for high-value goods to avoid overlapping demurrage fees.

1.CIQ Inspection: Pre-inspection of Documents is Key

In 2026,the customs inspection rate has increased to 15%,but goods that pass pre-inspection can shorten the inspection time.For example,a batch of Italian chemicals was directly passed during inspection without being opened for re-inspection because the MSDS report (meeting the new "Dangerous Goods Classification Standards" added in 2026) was submitted in advance.Zhongshitong’s operation standards are: ① Submit the "Document Pre-inspection Form" to the CIQ bureau 24 hours in advance; ② Highlight the "declaration elements" and "actual product differences" (such as material,model); ③ Prepare "third-party test reports" to meet special regulatory requirements.

2.Import License: Dual-track System of 3C Certification and Automatic Import License

Special equipment (such as elevators,pressure vessels) requires 3C certification,while "automatic import licenses" are for bulk commodities such as crude oil and steel.The newly added "License Electronic Verification System" in 2026 requires enterprises to fill in the "license number" on the declaration form; otherwise,the declaration will be directly rejected.I once encountered a batch of Russian wood that was detained by the customs due to incorrect license number filling,and was finally released after coordinating the customs to "manually correct the entry".

3.Zhongshitong’s Differentiated Advantages in Shanghai Port Customs Clearance

As an established agent at Shanghai Port,our core capability lies in "national port linkage".For example,a German equipment imported by an enterprise in Shenzhen,through Zhongshitong’s "cross-port declaration system",completed "pre-inspection classification" at Shenzhen Port and directly connected with the Shanghai Customs Price Verification Department,avoiding back and forth between two places.This model is especially suitable for: ① Multi-port imports (such as Shanghai-Ningbo-Guangzhou); ② High-frequency small-batch goods; ③ Low-tariff products involving RCEP member countries (such as ASEAN agricultural products),which can save 10-15% of tariffs through pre-inspection of certificates of origin.

Final reminder: In 2026,the customs has increased penalties for "under-declared goods".If the deviation between the declared amount and the system benchmark price exceeds 20%,the enterprise will face "tax supplementation + fines".It is recommended that enterprises contact professional agents in advance to ensure compliance and efficiency in import customs clearance through the triple guarantee of "classification pre-inspection + price proof + risk warning".If you have specific customs clearance needs for certain categories,you can consult the professional team of Zhongshitong in Shanghai at any time to obtain a customized solution.