Detailed explanation of cross-border e-commerce customs declaration and clearance process and the latest optimization measures

With the continuous development of global trade, cross-border e-commerce has become a bridge connecting consumers around the world. As an important part of cross-border e-commerce, customs clearance plays a vital role in ensuring the legal and safe entry and exit of goods. This article will analyze the customs declaration and clearance process of cross-border e-commerce in detail, and introduce the latest optimization measures to help readers better understand the customs operation process of cross-border e-commerce.

1. Basic concepts of cross-border e-commerce customs clearance

Customs declaration refers to the process in which the consignee and consignor of import and export goods, the person in charge of the inbound and outbound means of transport, the owner of the inbound and outbound items or their agents handle the entry and exit procedures for goods, articles or means of transport and related customs affairs with the customs. Cross-border e-commerce customs clearance specifically refers to cross-border transactions conducted through e-commerce platforms. The goods involved must pass customs supervision and inspection to ensure their legality and safety.

2. Four modes of cross-border e-commerce import declaration

• 9810 Customs Declaration: It is suitable for domestic enterprises to export goods to overseas warehouses first, then realize transactions through cross-border e-commerce platforms and deliver them to overseas buyers from overseas warehouses. This model helps improve the logistics efficiency and customer experience of cross-border e-commerce.
• 9710 Customs Declaration: For cross-border e-commerce B2B direct export of goods, domestic enterprises establish contact with foreign enterprises through cross-border e-commerce platforms and complete transactions. This model helps expand the business scope and market of cross-border e-commerce.
• 9610 Customs Declaration: Applicable to domestic individuals or e-commerce companies that implement transactions through e-commerce platforms and use the “list verification and summary declaration” model to handle retail import and export commodities. This model simplifies the customs declaration process for cross-border e-commerce retail import and export.
• 1210 Customs Declaration: This is “bonded cross-border trade e-commerce”, which is applicable to e-commerce retail entry and exit goods imported and exported by domestic individuals or e-commerce enterprises through special customs supervision areas or bonded supervision places. This model provides cross-border e-commerce with more flexible and convenient bonded warehousing and logistics distribution services.

3. Specific procedures for customs declaration and clearance for cross-border e-commerce

Cross-border e-commerce customs clearance mainly includes the declaration of payment orders, logistics orders, orders and lists. These declarations are completed online by payment institutions, logistics companies, e-commerce platforms or customs clearance agents with relevant qualifications through system docking. During the customs declaration process, the customs will conduct strict supervision and inspection of the declared goods to ensure that they comply with relevant regulations and standards.

Latest optimization measures

1. Electronic customs declaration

With the advancement of information technology, the customs declaration process for cross-border e-commerce imports has gradually become electronic. Customs declaration enterprises can submit customs declarations through the electronic customs system, including commodity classification, specifications, value and other information. This electronic customs declaration simplifies the procedures, reduces the use of paper documents, and improves the efficiency and accuracy of customs declaration.

2. Submit first and order later

In order to further improve the customs clearance speed of cross-border e-commerce imports, the system of reporting first and ordering later has been gradually promoted. According to this system, cross-border e-commerce companies can make customs declarations to the customs in advance before the goods are transported, instead of waiting for the actual goods to arrive before making declarations. This can effectively save time, complete customs declaration procedures in advance, and speed up the customs clearance of goods.

3. Risk classification management

In response to the characteristics and risks of cross-border e-commerce imports, the customs has implemented risk classification management. Cross-border e-commerce imported goods are divided into different risk levels based on factors such as the nature, value, and country of origin of the goods. For low-risk goods, the customs can implement facilitated supervision measures to speed up customs clearance; while for high-risk goods, stricter supervision and inspection will be carried out.

4. Express customs clearance service

In order to improve the efficiency of cross-border e-commerce imports, the customs provides rapid customs clearance services. On the one hand, the customs has strengthened the training and equipment of customs clearance personnel and improved the professional level of customs clearance; on the other hand, the customs has also optimized the customs clearance process and adopted intelligent technology and advanced equipment, such as face recognition, logistics information sharing, etc. Achieve faster customs clearance services.

5. Cooperation in the construction of customs areas

In order to support the development of cross-border e-commerce imports, the customs actively promotes the construction of cooperative customs areas. Cooperative customs areas refer to special areas located within the country that can provide more convenient customs clearance services. In cooperative customs areas, cross-border e-commerce companies can enjoy more flexible and efficient customs clearance procedures and preferential policies. The customs has established special customs clearance windows and service agencies in cooperation customs areas to provide convenient customs declaration and clearance services for cross-border e-commerce imports, further promoting the development of international trade.

6. Information sharing and collaboration

In order to improve the supervision effect of cross-border e-commerce imports, the Customs has strengthened information sharing and collaboration with other departments and agencies. Through the linkage with relevant departments such as commodity inspection, taxation, and public security, information exchange and data sharing can be realized, and the information and risks of commodities can be grasped more comprehensively and accurately, so as to better supervise and manage.

7. Compliance supervision and risk prevention and control

Cross-border e-commerce imports involve the laws and regulations of multiple countries and regions, and the customs has strengthened compliance supervision and risk prevention and control of imported goods. The customs has established risk warning mechanisms and strengthened commodity spot checks and inspections to ensure that imported goods meet relevant standards and quality requirements and protect the rights and safety of consumers.

4. Precautions for customs clearance for cross-border e-commerce

When conducting cross-border e-commerce customs clearance, companies or individuals need to pay attention to complying with relevant laws and regulations to ensure that the declared product information is true, accurate and complete. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to changes in customs policies and adjust customs declaration strategies in a timely manner to ensure that goods can enter and leave the country smoothly.

• Understand the import requirements of the target market: Different countries and regions have different requirements for imported goods, including prohibited imports, restricted imports, special regulations, etc. Before customs declaration, it is necessary to understand the import requirements of the target market and ensure that the goods comply with relevant standards and regulations.
• Compliance operations and tax declarations: Cross-border e-commerce imports involve tax declarations and compliance operations. Enterprises should declare and pay relevant taxes on time, ensure compliance operations, and comply with local laws. regulations.
• Seek professional customs declaration services: Customs declaration involves complex regulations and procedures. It is recommended to seek professional customs declaration services and choose an experienced and reputable customs declaration company or agent to ensure the smooth progress of the customs declaration process. .
• Maintain communication and cooperation with the Customs: Establish good communication and cooperation with the Customs, keep abreast of changes in relevant policies and regulations, and actively cooperate with the Customs’ review and supervision work.
• Check the accurate description and declared value of the goods: During the customs declaration process, it is important to ensure that the description of the goods is accurate and that the correct value of the goods is declared. Incorrect or misrepresented merchandise descriptions and values ​​may result in customs review and penalties.
• Pay attention to the calculation of customs duties and import taxes: Calculate customs duties and import taxes reasonably based on the classification and declared value of the goods. Different countries and regions have different tax rates and tax rules for different commodities. You need to understand and comply with the relevant tax regulations.
• Keep customs declaration documents and records: It is recommended to keep all documents and records related to customs declaration, including commercial invoices, shipping documents, customs declaration forms, etc., in case of future inquiries and filings.
• Check the legality and compliance of goods: Before customs declaration, ensure that the imported goods comply with international trade laws and regulations and do not involve intellectual property infringement, counterfeiting and other illegal activities.
• Understand changes in import policies: Cross-border e-commerce import policies will change at any time, such as tariff adjustments, import restriction policies, etc. Pay attention to changes in relevant policies in a timely manner and adjust your import strategy and customs declaration process in a timely manner.

Cross-border e-commerce customs clearance is an important step in ensuring the legal and safe entry and exit of goods. By understanding the basic concepts, models and specific processes of cross-border e-commerce customs declaration and clearance, enterprises or individuals can better cope with the customs operational challenges of cross-border e-commerce and promote the healthy development of cross-border e-commerce business.