When you use cross-border logistics to transport goods, it is essential to export customs clearance in the country of departure and import customs clearance in the country of destination. In order to prevent the goods from being seized or returned by the customs and extend the transportation time, sellers must not forget to prepare for the matters needing attention in the import and export customs before shipment!

1. Preparation for export declaration

Customs declaration is one of the necessary links to fulfill customs export procedures. As a seller, making preparations before shipping will make the customs declaration process more effective. At the time of export declaration, if you need a customs declaration company to help handle related matters, please ensure that you entrust a professional and formal customs declaration company.

In general, you need to prepare the following information in advance according to different modes of transportation:

Tips

1. The information required for customs declaration may vary depending on the mode of transportation, goods, customs agents, etc. It is recommended that you contact your customs agent to confirm the details.
2. Special products such as FDA1 products, wood products and dangerous goods may need to provide additional information, such as air transport guarantee, battery letter, KC FORM3, FDA REG#5, Device list, etc. For details, it is recommended to consult your customs agent.

2. Preparation for import customs clearance

Before you import goods to the destination country, first make sure that you have your own IOR in the destination country. IOR full name Importer of Record, that is, registered importer (note: registered importer do not fill in Amazon), it is responsible for ensuring that your goods are imported in compliance with local laws and regulations, and pay import taxes and fees, so that the goods are successfully imported to the destination country.

In addition to IOR, each country has different requirements for customs clearance according to the corresponding customs regulations. Next, we will take the United States, Europe and Japan as examples to introduce the import customs clearance process for reference.

US Customs Clearance Process and Precautions

Through the above process, you will find that when you need to import goods to the United States, you must purchase Bond in advance and handle POA to complete customs clearance. What do Bond and POA mean?

Bond(Custom Bond) Customs Deposit:

When importers incur costs due to trade disputes and other reasons, U.S. Customs can deduct money from Bond, and U.S. Customs and the government force U.S. importers to buy. Bonds are divided into Annual Bond and Single Bond.

√ Year Bond

1. Only once a year for importers who import goods frequently;
2. The amount is $50,000, deducted each time in 5‰ of the value of the declared goods.

√ Single Bond

1. Deduct according to the 8.5‰ of the declared value each time, and there is a Single ISF Bond fee each time (ISF is Importer Security Filing, import safety declaration);
2. Sellers can make online purchases directly on the Amazon seller platform when creating shipments (each cost is about 140-150 US dollars).

POA(Power of Attorney) Import Customs Clearance Power of Attorney:

Refers to the seller to the United States Customs to inform the authorized customs clearance bank agent clearance. Sellers can handle POA and purchase Bond through the customs clearance agency. If you have already purchased Bond yourself at that time, you do not need to purchase it separately, just handle POA.

European Customs Clearance Considerations

As can be found from the above figure, two numbers must be prepared for goods sold to Europe, one isVAT number, one isEORI No.. Let's take a look at the specific meaning of these two numbers.

• VATThe full name is Value Added Tax, which is the tax identification number at the time of tax payment. The seller has registered the VAT number and can apply for the deduction of import VAT after transportation.
• EORIThe full name is the Economic Operators Registration and Identification, which is the necessary EU tax number for customs clearance in EU countries and can be used throughout the EU.

The difference is,VAT numbers need to be registered through a professional tax agent with relevant qualifications.If the seller needs to send the goods to multiple countries in Europe, the VAT number of multiple countries must be registered;The EORI number is usually applied by the tax agent together with the VAT tax number.An EORI number can be used for customs clearance in all EU member states.

Tips

1. If an FBA seller at a European site uses Amazon Cross-Border Logistics Service (AGL) for head-to-head transportation to the UK and Germany, the seller may not have an EU entity registered company and only need a European registered VAT customs clearance service at the port of destination;
2. "Amazon VAT Integration Service" is now offering a one-year free discount. You can register and declare VAT in up to 7 countries and at least 1 country in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic to help European site sellers get VAT at 0 cost.

Japan Customs Clearance Considerations

If you already have an IOR, that is, a registered importer, you can send goods from outside the country to Japan, subject to compliance with Japanese laws and regulations. However, if you do not have a Japanese entity, or if you do not have a Japanese entity in Japan that can act as a registered importer, you will appoint a service provider to act as your Customs Agent (ACP). What does ACP represent here? Let's learn about it together.

• ACP: Full name Attorney for the Customs Procedures, that is, customs agent, refers to the entity or individual who can pay taxes and fees incurred at the time of import on your behalf. Please note that ACP is not solely responsible for the importer, it is only responsible for taxes and fees. Before importing goods, you must ensure that your goods comply with local laws and regulations;

In general, any resident of Japan can be appointed as a registered importer or customs agent.

Attention

1. Do not understate, conceal or misstate the value of your goods when you declare them to customs during your shipment to the country of destination. If the above behavior, will face a huge fine. The above customs clearance notes are not intended to constitute customs or legal advice.
2. The above customs clearance considerations are not intended to constitute customs or legal advice. You are advised to consult a customs broker or legal adviser before exporting, whichever is the case.
3. When sending your goods from China to an Amazon Operations Center outside China, after-tax delivery (DDP, which means that you, as the shipper/exporter, will be responsible for all shipping costs, including taxes) is a mandatory incoterms clause. Before shipping, please confirm with your shipping company that they accept DDP shipments.