Full-Process Compliance Guide for Express Import Agents: Core Points of Customs Valuation and Commodity Inspection

Express Import Agents: Core Risk Control Nodes for Port Clearance

I.Customs Valuation: Accurate Anchoring to Avoid Valuation Disputes

After the upgrade of the customs valuation system in 2026,the valuation of express imports no longer relies solely on the transaction price,but adjusts dynamically combining the declaration data of similar products at ports in the past 30 days,information of Certificate of Origin,and international market trends.Transaction vouchers under EXW/FOB terms must be matched in advance to ensure that the invoice amount is consistent with the foreign exchange payment records,so as to avoid triggering control due to price deviation.

Practical Pitfall Avoidance: In the third quarter of 2025,a microelectronics company in Hangzhou declared chips for express import,which were detained and inspected because the invoice amount was 30% lower than the customs benchmark price,resulting in total demurrage charges of 12,000 yuan.The team transferred the declaration data of similar products at Shanghai Port in advance,guided the enterprise to supplement the price certificate issued by the original manufacturer,and finally completed the valuation and release within 24 hours.

Core Action List for Valuation

• Submit invoices,packing lists and Certificates of Origin to the pre-audit system 3 working days in advance
• Verify the consistency of brand,model and material in declaration elements with the actual goods
• Provide Certificate of Origin and non-transshipment certificate for anti-dumping categories
• Synchronize foreign exchange payment records to the agent in real time to ensure the price chain is closed

II.Pre-Inspection of Commodity Inspection: Pre-Examination to Shorten Port Stay Time

In 2026,the commodity inspection system has achieved national networking,and legal inspection categories for express imports need to complete pre-inspection 72 hours in advance.General cargo needs to provide Declaration of Conformity,mechanical and electrical products need to supplement record filing certificate with the Machinery and Electronics Department,and chemical products must upload MSDS report and hazard label images that meet GB standards.

Practical Pitfall Avoidance: A cosmetics enterprise in Guangzhou imported a batch of lipsticks,which were required to supplement ingredient testing after arrival because pre-inspection of commodity inspection was not completed in advance,leading to a delay of 10 days and missing e-commerce promotion nodes.The team assisted the enterprise to complete filing and pre-inspection in advance,so the goods were released directly after arrival,and the time limit was compressed to within 48 hours.

III.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Compliance Access to Avoid Return Risks

For animal and plant products imported from express of RCEP member states in 2026,official Certificate of Origin and quarantine certificate must be provided,and must meet the latest requirements of the "Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine".For fresh products,cold chain transportation must be adopted and quarantine filing must be declared in advance to avoid destruction or return due to unqualified temperature.

Risk Warning: A Southeast Asian fruit merchant imported durian,which was detained after arrival because quarantine filing was not declared in advance,resulting in an average daily cold chain storage fee of 800 yuan.Finally,the goods were destroyed due to failure to complete quarantine within the time limit,with a loss of 120,000 yuan.The team relied on the global agency network to assist the supplier to handle the quarantine certificate and domestic filing in advance,ensuring direct clearance after arrival.

IV.Import License Processing: Full-Process Collaboration to Speed Up Approval

When express imports involve controlled products (such as medical devices,endangered species),import license must be processed in advance.In 2026,license approval has realized online processing,and the agent must coordinate with the local Bureau of Commerce and customs departments,submit complete application materials to avoid delays due to incomplete materials.

Relying on Shanghai’s international trade hub advantage to realize cross-port declaration in national ports,it can coordinate agency networks in ports such as Beijing,Guangzhou and Shenzhen to predict differences in approval processes in various places in advance,ensuring that the license is approved within 3-5 working days,which is 40% shorter than the industry average time limit.

Core Steps for Import License Processing

• Submit product list and purpose description 10 working days in advance
• Coordinate with local Bureau of Commerce to complete qualification review
• Synchronize license application to customs system
• Track approval progress in real time,supplement and modify materials in time
• Synchronize the approved license to the port clearance system

Risk Warning: Enterprises need to be alert to hidden fees such as bill of lading change fees and demurrage charges hidden by agents.Some small agents attract customers with low prices and charge high hidden fees at the port link.Adopt a transparent quotation system,list all fees in advance to avoid subsequent disputes.In addition,exchange loss risk needs to be avoided in advance by locking exchange rate or adopting cross-border RMB settlement.The US dollar exchange rate fluctuates sharply in 2026,and locking the exchange rate in advance can reduce exchange loss by 5%-8%.