With a
population of over 1.379
billion, China offers a huge consumer market and as such, a
tremendous business opportunity for foreign businesses harboring ambitions of
exponential growth.
However,
before foreign corporations can start trading their imported goods, they have
to get their goods Customs cleared.
For
some—the experienced market operators—the process can be straightforward and
predictive. While for companies that are new to the China’s commercial system,
the process might be characterized with all sorts of issues.
This post
is created to cater the latter group who may not know much about the China customs clearance process and are looking for some
guidelines to ensure efficient Customs clearance of their imported goods in
China.
Here are
few pointers that would help you.
Keep Track of the Date of Import and the Time of
Landing
Date of
import is the date on which the imported goods are intended to arrive at the
destination port for Customs clearance. Time of landing, further defines the
specifics about the details of the goods ordered for import, denoting the time
at which the shipment is supposed to arrive.
It’s
important that you note these meta details down and keep track of them, for
failure to promptly declare the consignment ownership once it has landed, can
lead to penalties—not to mention paying extra on the account of warehousing and
storage expenses.
As
prescribed by China Customs, a business should seek for customs declaration
within 14 days of the arrival of goods on the port. From the 15th
day onward, the business would be fined with a penalty at a compounding rate of
0.3% on a daily basis.
Make Sure All Documents are in Place
Prior to
the arrival of goods at the destination port, it is important to ensure that
all Customs compliant documents are in place. Be it invoices, a copy of CCC certificate, bill of
lading, weight memo and every other regulatory and technical document, they
should be arranged for and compiled in advance.
Designate a Member of Your Staff To Be on the Floor
This is not
a requirement but designating a staff who would work closely with the Customs
officials, would ensure that the clearance process can proceed towards
completion in a quick manner. Make sure that the designated staff member
possesses the technical knowledge of the product that is being imported, and is
familiar with the purpose of the documents that are to be required by the Customs.
Make the Money Available in Advance to Pay for Custom
Duty and Other Related Charges
When
getting your imported goods Customs cleared, you will have to pay for the
custom duty and other related charges.
This may vary
from product to product, and with the consignment volume. The incurred fee
should be paid before the deadline, otherwise you will be liable to pay an
overdue fine—chargeable from the seventh day from the date the fee has been
demanded.
Instruct Your Staff Member to Self-Inspect the
Consignment
Once the
Customs have cleared the imported goods, your staff member should minutely
inspect the released consignment. If there are any anomalies or damages to be
found, your staff member should immediately coordinate with the Customs’
warehouse operator before accepting the goods.
Follow
these guidelines and where in need of help, consult a professional custom
clearance brokerage service to assist you in getting your imported goods Customs
cleared.