Detailed explanation of cross-border e-commerce agency customs declaration: from basics to specifications

Agent customs declaration is an important part of international trade. It involves the person in charge of the inbound and outbound means of transportation, the consignor and consignor of the goods and items, or their agent, who is entrusted by the consignor and consignor of the import and export goods. When the customs supervises a port, it shall act on its behalf to declare and handle relevant procedures in accordance with the law. Customs declaration agencies need to be registered with the customs and usually include professional customs declaration enterprises, customs declaration companies, customs brokers, customs declaration agencies, etc.

Classification and responsibilities of customs declaration agents

According to the different legal responsibilities, agency declaration can be divided into two forms: direct agency declaration and indirect agency declaration. Direct agency customs declaration means that the customs declaration enterprise accepts the entrustment of the client (i.e. the consignee and consignor of import and export goods) and handles customs declaration procedures in the name of the client; while indirect agency customs declaration means that the customs declaration enterprise accepts the entrustment of the client to declare customs The enterprise handles customs declaration and tax payment with the customs in its own name.

Customs declaration process and required materials

When making an agent declaration, the basic documents that need to be provided include the customs declaration form, invoice, loading order, bill of lading, etc. of the goods. It is also necessary to determine whether other additional materials are required according to the requirements of the customs. In addition, cross-border e-commerce companies also need to register products through third-party platforms, including product names, descriptions, HS codes and other information. Before product information is sent to the service platform, the HS code of the product needs to be determined, and this information will be submitted to the management platform.

Operation process of e-commerce platform

In cross-border e-commerce transactions, when an order is completed, the e-commerce platform will configure the corresponding products according to the order, package the mail package, print the mail details sheet, and send it to the logistics company for delivery. During this process, the service platform will activate the temporary transaction list based on the parcel collection and delivery information sent by the logistics company and declare electronically to the customs. This list will become a regular declaration list, which is law enforcement data and cannot be modified without authorization.

Customs review and supervision

Customs conducts random control of the listed goods, and risk management personnel can also conduct manual control. The X-ray machine is compared on the same screen through the automatic inspection and sorting line, and goods that need to be unpacked and inspected are manually inspected. Mail items that have been inspected and released will be sealed and transported to the port customs using customs-supervised vehicles registered with the customs.

Industry organizations and international cooperation

In order to promote the healthy development of the customs declaration industry, the China Customs Brokerage Association was established in 2002 to cooperate with the government in strengthening the management of the customs declaration industry and standardizing customs declaration behavior. In addition, the World Customs Organization (WCO) is also promoting global customs policy coordination and cooperation. The Beijing Declaration was issued at the First World Customs Cross-Border E-Commerce Conference held in Beijing in 2018, emphasizing the importance of balanced, transparent, non-discriminatory and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce.

To sum up, agency customs declaration is not only an indispensable part of international trade, but also the key to ensuring smooth customs clearance of goods. By understanding the basic knowledge and operating procedures of customs declaration, we can help enterprises better adapt to the needs of the international market and improve their competitiveness.