Core Requirements and Compliance Checklist for Import Customs Declaration Agents

I.Qualification Threshold for Import Customs Declaration Agents

Before selecting an import customs declaration agent,you shall confirm whether the agency holds legal qualifications.According to the new regulations of the General Administration of Customs in 2026,there are three core qualifications:

• Customs Broker Qualification: The agency shall hold the Customs Broker Registration Certificate,and its business scope clearly includes "customs declaration agency".Agencies without this qualification are not allowed to engage in declaration services;
• Import and Export Operation Qualification: If the agency is a pure customs broker without import and export operation rights,it shall sign a Customs Declaration Authorization Letter with the importer,and the importer shall provide the Filing Form of Foreign Trade Operator;
• Enterprise Credit Rating: No administrative penalty records caused by declaration errors in the past 6 months.The credit rating of the agency can be queried through the China International Trade Single Window.

I once encountered a trading company that entrusted an unqualified informal agent for customs declaration,which led to the goods being detained at Yangshan Port for 12 days,and finally incurred a total of RMB 18,000 in delayed declaration fee and port detention fee.When selecting a formal agent,be sure to ask for the original copies of the above qualification documents to avoid customs clearance delays caused by qualification issues.

II.Checklist of Required and Compliance Documents

The customs declaration agent shall complete document pre-review before the goods arrive at the port.Core documents are divided into two categories: basic documents and special documents:

For example,a cosmetics importer failed to provide the label filing certificate,resulting in the goods being temporarily detained at Pudong Airport.We assisted in supplementing the Chinese label filing,and customs clearance was completed 3 days later.Special products require additional preparation: food products shall provide label inspection certificates,dangerous goods shall provide MSDS and hazard labels,and animal and plant products shall provide fumigation certificates and phytosanitary certificates.

III.Core Requirements for Customs Valuation and Classification

Customs valuation is a key link in import customs declaration.In 2026,the customs implements electronic "price inquiry letters",and agencies shall complete three preparations in advance:

• Accurate HS Code Classification: Declaration shall be made in accordance with the 8-digit and 10-digit subheadings of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.For example,"stainless steel tableware" shall be classified under 7323.93 (not 7324.10).Incorrect classification may lead to tax repayment or fine;
• Consistency of Declaration Elements: The "brand,model,material,specification" on the customs declaration form shall be completely consistent with the actual goods.For example,a machinery enterprise imported bearings,but declared "model 6205" while the actual goods were 6204,resulting in the declaration being rejected during inspection;
• Price Supporting Documents: If the transaction price is lower than the customs "duty-paid price database",supporting documents such as foreign exchange payment voucher,international market price comparison table,and import records of the same batch shall be provided.

I once assisted a German enterprise in importing precision instruments.The declared price was lower than the customs benchmark price.We provided the EU sales records,certificate of origin and technical parameter description of the instrument,and the customs finally approved the declared price,avoiding a 30% tax rate difference.

IV.Requirements for Commodity Inspection and Quarantine of Special Products

According to the Law on Import and Export Commodity Inspection,three types of products shall be focused on in commodity inspection pre-review:

• Animal and Plant Products: Meat and fruits shall apply for quarantine 7 working days in advance,and provide fumigation certificate and phytosanitary certificate (for example,imported Chilean cherries shall be accompanied by a "no quarantine pest" certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile);
• Cosmetics and Food: Chinese label samples,ingredient lists and filing certificates shall be provided.Imported cosmetics shall be filed in the Import Cosmetics Label Inspection and Management System;
• Hazardous Chemicals: Shall comply with the Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals (2026 Edition),and provide MSDS (16th Edition) and Performance Inspection Result Form of Dangerous Goods Packaging Containers.

When a chemical enterprise imported a solvent,it failed to provide the Hazardous Characteristic Classification and Identification Report,resulting in the goods being inspected at Yangshan Port.Finally,Zhongshitong coordinated with the shipping agent to supplement the documents urgently,saving 2 days of port detention fees.

V.Requirements for Handling Import Licenses for Special Products

Some products need to apply for import licenses in advance.The core categories and requirements are as follows:

• Automatic Import License: Applicable to mechanical and electrical products,refined oil,etc.The application shall be submitted 20 working days before the goods arrive at the port,and the import contract and qualification certificate of the domestic end user shall be provided;
• Products Requiring CCC Certification: Products involving safety and electromagnetic compatibility (such as children’s toys,household appliances) shall complete CCC certification filing in advance;
• Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Import Drug Clearance Form or Medical Device Registration Certificate shall be provided.For imported narcotic drugs,an additional Narcotic Drugs Import and Export Permit shall be provided.

When a medical device company imported MRI equipment,it failed to apply for the automatic import license in time,resulting in the goods being detained at Wusong Port.We urgently coordinated with the customs for on-site release,and adopted the process of "release first,supplement certificate later",finally avoiding 48 hours of port detention fees.

VI.Port Operation and Risk Control

As an international hub port,Shanghai has different ports with different characteristics.Agencies shall select the optimal route according to the characteristics of the goods:

• Port Selection: Yangshan Port is suitable for bulk cargo,with high inspection rate but faster efficiency; Waigaoqiao Port is suitable for containers,and the "inspection batch" shall be confirmed in advance;
• Avoidance of Hidden Costs: Demurrage (container overdue storage fee),document exchange fee (bill of lading exchange),delayed declaration fee (failure to declare on time),etc.For example,a freight forwarder failed to exchange documents in time,resulting in a document exchange fee of RMB 1,200;
• Risk Early Warning System: Zhongshitong has established a "customs declaration data early warning database",which can monitor whether the declaration data matches the customs parameters in real time.For example,a batch of goods declared as "general goods" but actually "bonded storage goods",the system automatically warns to avoid violations.

The value of choosing a professional agent lies in completing pre-review 1-2 days in advance to avoid "port waiting fees" caused by incomplete documents.For example,after an importer chose us as its agent,the import efficiency increased by 40%,and the average customs clearance time was saved by 3 days.