Core Ideas and Practical Implementation Guide for Full-Process Control of Import Agency

Core Implementation Ideas for Import Agency Control

In 2026,global trade compliance requirements continue to escalate.The General Administration of Customs has updated the valuation model for imported goods and HS code classification rules.Any deviation in the import agency process may lead to port detention costs,exchange losses,or even compliance penalties.As an agency deeply rooted in Shanghai Port,our control approach always centers on three core principles: "Proactive Prediction,Full-Process Closure,Risk Guarantee",covering the entire link from access to customs clearance.

1.Customs Valuation Proactive Control: Avoid Unjustified Valuation Risks

In 2026,the threshold for comparing the declared price of imported goods with historical transaction data by customs has been narrowed to ±3%,and the control rate for high-risk categories such as mechanical and electrical equipment and chemical products has increased to 18%.In the case of Mr.Shen’s import of a German horizontal machining center last year,the customer was subject to a customs valuation procedure due to failure to provide complete transaction supporting materials when declaring on their own,with an estimated additional tax amount of 220,000 yuan.After our intervention,we retrieved 3 recent transaction record data of the same model equipment at Shanghai Port in advance,supplemented supporting documents such as original factory invoices,cross-border payment slips,transportation insurance policies,and technical service agreements,and finally passed the valuation smoothly,avoiding additional costs.

The core actions of valuation control can be summarized as:

• Confirm the transaction method (EXW/FOB/CIF) and cost division boundaries in advance,and clarify whether freight,insurance,commissions,etc.are included in the dutiable value
• Organize all supporting documents related to the value of the goods to ensure that the declaration elements are completely consistent with the actual goods
• For anti-dumping or tariff quota goods,apply for customs price pre-determination in advance

2.Pre-Inspection for Commodity Inspection and Proactive Animal and Plant Quarantine

In 2026,RCEP member countries have added supply chain traceability code requirements to the commodity inspection requirements for imported goods,especially for food and animal/plant products.In our practice,we complete pre-inspection for commodity inspection 10 days before the goods are shipped: check the consistency between declaration elements such as brand,model,material,and purpose and the actual goods; for goods involving animal and plant quarantine,confirm the quarantine access list and certificate format of the exporting country in advance.For example,in the case of importing Australian Merino wool last year,we checked the traceability code format of the quarantine certificate issued by Australia in advance,avoiding the risk of goods being returned due to inconsistent documents after arrival at the port.

For non-animal/plant products,we also focus on checking mandatory inspection requirements such as 3C certification and energy efficiency labels to ensure that the goods meet domestic mandatory standards.

3.Full-Process Control of Import Licenses

In 2026,the processing time for automatic import licenses for mechanical and electrical products has been reduced to 3 working days,but licenses for some restricted goods such as used mechanical and electrical products and endangered species products still require special approval from the Ministry of Commerce.Our control points include:

• Check the regulatory document code corresponding to the HS code in advance to confirm whether an automatic license,restricted license,or dual-use item license is required
• Confirm the validity period,port of use,and quantity of the license to avoid customs clearance delays due to inconsistent documents
• For goods declared across ports,complete off-site filing procedures in advance to ensure smooth linkage of ports across the country

4.Full-Link Risk Control Closure and Risk Early Warning

Relying on the national linkage network of Shanghai Port,we can provide import agency services at off-site ports.For example,for consumer electronics imported from Shenzhen Port,we can simultaneously complete document review in Shanghai and customs clearance coordination in Shenzhen.At the same time,we will establish an exclusive risk control file for each import agency business,retain all documents,communication records,and inspection reports to ensure rapid traceability when problems occur.

Compliance red lines to be vigilant about: In 2026,the customs penalty for violations such as under-declaring prices and forging documents has been increased to 50% of the cargo value,and non-compliant enterprises will be included in the customs dishonesty list,affecting all subsequent import and export businesses.We will clarify all cost details in the contract,monitor ship dynamics,and confirm the arrival time 7 days in advance to avoid unnecessary port detention fees.

In response to global trade policy changes in 2026,we update tariff rates and anti-dumping warning information of major trading countries every week.For example,when the EU adjusts the anti-dumping rate for Chinese photovoltaic products,we will notify customers in advance to adjust the declaration method to ensure compliant tax reduction.