Zhongshitong Import and Export Agency: Full-Process Customs Declaration and Tax Refund Optimization at Shanghai Port

How Import and Export Agencies Mitigate Full-Channel Cross-Border Trade Risks in 2026

As a foreign trade agency with 20 years of in-depth experience at Shanghai Port,I have seen far too many enterprises suffer losses in customs declaration,tax refund and foreign exchange collection processes due to information asymmetry.In 2026,with the deepening of RCEP tariff reductions,escalating trade barriers in Europe and the US,and an 18% year-on-year increase in anti-dumping cases,the value of import and export agencies has long gone beyond "document processing" - they have become "compliance firewalls" and "efficiency accelerators" for enterprises engaged in global trade.Below we share proven risk avoidance experience from four core scenarios.

1.Destination Port Certification: Do Not Let a Single Certificate Delay an Entire Shipment

Mandatory certification systems vary greatly across countries.The 2026 version of the EU REACH Regulation adds 12 new restricted substances for electronic chemicals.A chemical enterprise from Zhejiang failed to file for certification in advance,resulting in forced return of goods after arrival at the port,with losses exceeding CNY 800,000.

• Certification Pre-assessment Checklist: Imported machinery (used equipment) requires CCIC certification,food contact materials require FDA certification,and Middle Eastern countries mandate SASO certification.You can check the supervision list of target countries in advance through the General Administration of Customs’ Single Window platform.
• Advantages of Shanghai Port: In 2026,Shanghai Port launched a pilot program of "pre-declaration + remote video inspection".We once helped a German importer of used equipment complete pre-audit of CCIC certification 72 hours before the vessel arrived at the port,48 hours faster than the traditional process,saving CNY 120,000 in demurrage fees.
• Practical Risk Avoidance Tips: A supervisor (pseudonym) once handled a batch of cosmetics imported from Japan,which was detained by Tokyo Customs because the labels did not indicate ingredient concentrations.We adopted a dual-track approach of "Chinese label translation + ingredient list notarization" and completed the rectification within 3 working days.

2.Anti-Dumping Early Warning: Four Categories of Products with the Highest Risk in 2026

In 2026,the US Department of Commerce launched a new anti-dumping sunset review on Chinese photovoltaic modules,with tariff rates likely to rise from 3.8% to 15.2%.The EU’s anti-circumvention investigation on Chinese bicycles is also ongoing.Such risks cannot be solved by pre-export self-inspection alone,and require agencies to establish dynamic early warning systems.

• Early Warning Signal Identification: When the import volume recorded by the target country’s customs increases by more than 20% year-on-year for 3 consecutive months,and the enterprise receives a price warning letter,the anti-dumping response plan should be activated immediately.
• Countermeasure Toolkit: ① Apply for non-market economy status recognition (for example,in 2026 we helped a furniture factory in Guangdong reduce anti-dumping duties from 12% to 4.3% by using the EU’s surrogate country data); ② Entrepot trade (avoid direct export via transshipment through Hong Kong).
• Lessons Learned: A textile enterprise in Jiangsu ignored advice and insisted on direct export to the US.It was eventually imposed a 23% anti-dumping duty,cutting its profit by half.We now require partner enterprises to respond to early warnings within 24 hours.

3.Export Tax Refund Optimization: Three "No" Principles Under the 2026 New Policy

After the upgrade of the export tax refund system in 2026,the exemption,credit and refund process has been shortened from 15 working days to 7 working days.However,enterprises that cross the following red lines will still face delayed tax refunds:

• No Separation of Invoices and Documents: The specifications and models indicated on input invoices and customs declaration forms must be exactly the same.An electronics factory suffered a 30-day delay in tax refund due to a one-character difference in product name on relevant documents.
• No Neglect of Declaration Logic: Incorrect HS code classification will trigger secondary inspection.For example,a lighting enterprise misclassified LED bulbs as lighting appliances (13% tax refund rate),while the correct classification is lamp parts (9% tax refund rate).We corrected the error in advance through our classification pre-audit system,saving losses of CNY 80,000.
• No Violation of Declaration Time Limits: A 360-day retrospective period for export tax refunds was introduced in 2026.Proof of unreceived foreign exchange is required for applications beyond this period.A machinery company lost 15% of its tax refund amount due to delayed foreign exchange collection.

4.Foreign Exchange Collection Security: Four-Step Closed-Loop System Under Foreign Exchange Control

During the Fed’s interest rate hike cycle in 2026,some Southeast Asian countries tightened foreign exchange control.A toy enterprise in Zhejiang was fined CNY 2,000,000 for collecting foreign exchange through unlicensed underground money dealers.Compliant foreign exchange collection requires the establishment of a tripartite coordination mechanism between the agency,bank and tax authority:

• Step 1: Currency Hedging: For clients in Southeast Asia,we recommend dual-currency settlement in RMB and US dollars to avoid the risk of single currency depreciation.
• Step 2: Account Isolation: Adopt a dual-account system of offshore account + domestic settlement account.A furniture factory avoided local foreign exchange control and improved foreign exchange collection efficiency by 40% through transshipment via a Hong Kong account.
• Step 3: Document Verification: Focus on checking the consistency of the bill of lading,invoice and packing list.A garment enterprise had its payment rejected by the bank because the gross weight on the bill of lading did not match that on the invoice.We intercepted such risks in advance through electronic bill of lading + port pre-audit.
• Step 4: Risk Coverage: Purchase export credit insurance with additional exchange rate fluctuation coverage.After a luggage factory in Jiangsu purchased such insurance,it received a compensation of CNY 200,000 even when the US dollar depreciated by 3%.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Agency Matters More Than Saving Costs in 2026

From Shanghai Port to Rotterdam Port,from RCEP member states to regions with trade barriers in Europe and the US,the value of import and export agencies lies in turning risks in every trade link into certainty.As a long-established agency at Shanghai Port,we do not promise zero risk,but we can deliver early risk identification,tailored solutions,and full-chain process control.If you are looking for an agency partner,we recommend checking two points first: ① Whether it has a localized service team in the target country (for example,we have commercial representatives stationed in Germany and the US); ② Whether it has Customs AEO certification,which directly affects the inspection pass rate.