There are three modes of import customs clearance, namely express customs clearance, cargo customs clearance and stock customs clearance. The following will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each mode and extract the seller situation suitable for each mode so that sellers can make better choices.
13.3.1 Express customs clearance: no need to prepare goods in advance
After receiving the order from the e-commerce platform, the cross-border e-commerce seller will mail the product directly from abroad to the buyer through international logistics. There are no customs documents.
Advantages: It is more independent and flexible for cross-border sellers. They only need to ship when they receive the order. Cross-border e-commerce sellers do not need to prepare goods in advance, and there is no worry about inventory backlog and no pressure on storage costs.
Disadvantages: During the long-distance cross-border logistics transportation, the products will be mixed with a large number of other mails for transportation, and the express company will not classify the transported goods, so the customs clearance efficiency of logistics is very low, and when the amount of goods is large, the logistics cost will rise rapidly. In addition, due to the long delivery time of express delivery, buyers are not satisfied with the logistics service.
Express customs clearance is an import customs clearance mode suitable for e-commerce sellers who usually have fewer orders and no large orders.
13.3.2 Collective customs clearance: Order first, then ship
E-commerce sellers gather multiple sold goods together, pack them uniformly, and deliver them to domestic bonded warehouses through international express companies. E-commerce sellers need to complete customs clearance procedures for each product, and then after customs inspection and release, e-commerce sellers entrust domestic logistics companies to deliver the products to buyers. Each order must be accompanied by customs documents.
Advantages: Collective customs clearance is more flexible than other customs clearance modes. Sellers do not need to prepare goods in advance, they only need to accumulate a certain amount of orders, and then bundle and pack the goods in batches. Compared with the express customs clearance mode, the logistics customs clearance efficiency is higher and the overall logistics cost is reduced.
Disadvantages: Since the goods are shipped overseas, they need to be packed overseas, which has high labor costs, and the logistics time in the middle of shipping from overseas is relatively long.
This import customs clearance mode is suitable for sellers who are in a stage of rapid growth in order volume, and sellers need to receive multiple orders every week.