Cross-border e-commerce import and export customs inspection and goods deduction: full process analysis

Customs detention means that goods are detained due to reasons related to the customs requirements of the importing and exporting countries, resulting in customers being unable to receive the goods normally. For cross-border e-commerce, customs detention is a problem that is often encountered. Whether it is due to the seller’s own reasons or the logistics service provider’s reasons, it will have a serious impact on the seller’s interests, so every effort must be made to avoid it. This article will discuss in detail the reasons and countermeasures for customs inspections and seizures.

Common reasons for customs detention

There are various reasons for customs detention, including but not limited to the following:

• Importing and exporting countries restrict the import and export of goods. Certain goods may be subject to import and export restrictions in specific countries due to security or political factors.
• Tariffs are too high and logistics service providers are unwilling to clear customs. High tariffs may cause logistics service providers to refuse to assume customs clearance responsibilities.
• If the product is counterfeit or prohibited, it will be destroyed directly. If such merchandise is discovered, it will not only be destroyed but may also lead to further legal issues.
• The declared value of the product does not match the actual value. In this case, the logistics service provider must pay the corresponding fine to complete customs clearance.
• The seller or logistics provider cannot issue the required documents. Lack of necessary documentation is one of the common reasons why merchandise is withheld.

Strategies for dealing with customs detention

Confirm recipient name

The first step for sellers is to confirm whether the recipient’s full name information is correct. Taking Russia as an example, the full name should include the surname, given name, and patronymic surname. If it is not the full name, you need to contact the customer quickly to obtain complete information, and inform the customer that the logistics service provider will contact you later for confirmation.

Confirm customs declaration

Customs declarations must comply with the requirements of each country. For example, the AliExpress EMS customs declaration form requires detailed product information such as “three pairs of sports shoes”, “two woolen coats”, etc., and ensure that the declared values ​​are consistent. Non-personal mail items must be accompanied by a proforma invoice, which includes recipient and sender information, product details, etc.

Pay attention to the logistics situation in a timely manner

After the goods are shipped, sellers need to pay close attention to the logistics status. Once a problem is discovered, communicate with the customer and logistics service provider immediately to solve the customs detention issue in a timely manner.

Choose reliable logistics methods and service providers

It is crucial to choose a logistics service provider with a good reputation and strong customs clearance capabilities. Although the cost may be higher, it provides strong protection for sellers.

The importance of customs inspection

Customs inspection aims to verify whether the goods are consistent with the declared content and to prevent violations such as concealment and false declaration. Efficient customs clearance is crucial to international trade. According to GEA analysis, improving customs business capabilities can significantly promote national trade growth. In addition, the customs capabilities of various countries vary greatly, which affects the speed and reliability of cargo release.

Special Notes

• Avoid infringement: Selling counterfeit products may lead to product deductions and legal disputes.
• Accurate declaration of information: including the quantity, value, material, etc. of the goods to ensure that the information is complete and correct.
• Understand the policies of the destination country: Different countries have special regulations for specific commodities, such as strict low-declaration inspections in the European Union, meticulous customs inspections in Russia, etc.

Through the above measures, cross-border e-commerce sellers can effectively reduce the risk of goods being detained due to customs inspection, thereby protecting their own interests from harm.