Bonded import and direct mail import: Comparative analysis and Wenzhou “B guarantee” case

Overview of bonded import

The “Bonded Import” model refers to a batch of goods arriving at a domestic customs supervision site (such as a bonded port area). After the consumer places an order, the goods are sent directly from the bonded area and are processed at the customs, Under the supervision of national inspection and other departments, rapid customs clearance is achieved and quickly delivered to consumers. This model requires merchants to transport large quantities of goods to the bonded area for storage in advance; therefore, when a purchase occurs, customs clearance and delivery can be carried out in a timely manner, ensuring a faster arrival time. However, due to the need to stock up in advance, the variety of products may be limited, which is suitable for products with large sales volume, such as maternal and infant products, milk powder, etc.

Direct mail import analysis

“Direct Mail Import” involves the networking between the e-commerce platform and the customs. After consumers make cross-border online purchases, the e-commerce platform transmits electronic orders, payment vouchers, electronic waybills and other information to the customs in real time. The goods are packaged overseas, shipped directly from overseas by express, and then enter the country after customs clearance. This process is slower and may be more costly than the “bonded import” model, but it provides more product choices, especially for those who New products that are not standardized or in the testing stage.

Wenzhou “B Insurance” Case

As a typical case, Wenzhou Bonded Logistics Center (Type B) is located in the starting area of ​​Linni Peninsula, Oujiangkou New District, with convenient transportation. The project covers an area of ​​211 acres, with a total investment of 668 million yuan, and has three bonded warehouses, aiming to meet the needs of import trade enterprises, export-oriented manufacturing and general trade export enterprises for bonded logistics services. It not only reduces the logistics costs of enterprises and increases the capital turnover rate, but also promotes the economic development of Wenzhou and surrounding areas, becoming an important force in promoting the local area to build a regional international logistics and shipping center.

The difference between the two modes

Order order and customs clearance method

In direct mail import, after the consumer places the order, the goods are directly shipped, cleared and entered from overseas by express delivery; in the bonded import mode, the goods are shipped in large quantities to the bonded area for storage in advance, and then processed when the consumer places the order. Customs clearance and delivery. There are also differences in the customs clearance methods between the two: the direct mail model requires customs clearance upon entry, while the bonded model requires customs clearance after entry.

Delivery time and applicable products

From the perspective of logistics and delivery timeliness, the bonded import model has faster delivery speed because the goods are prepared in the bonded warehouse in advance; while the direct mail model is shipped directly by overseas suppliers, which is slower. In terms of applicable commodities, bonded import is applicable to standardized and highly market-recognized commodities, such as maternal and infant products, cosmetics, etc.; while direct mail import is applicable to non-standardized commodities or new product testing.

Product after-sales processing

Regarding product after-sales, the returned goods under the bonded import model cannot be returned to the bonded warehouse, and can only be stored in a self-built return warehouse, which increases the cost of the company; while the return and exchange process under the direct mail import model is more complicated, involving international logistics distribution, Customs clearance and other issues.

In summary, bonded imports and direct mail imports each have their own advantages and limitations. Enterprises can choose the most suitable model based on their own circumstances and target markets.