For novice cross-border sellers, “customs clearance” is like an “invisible checkpoint” blocking the logistics route – even though the product selection and operation are fine, the goods suddenly get stuck at the customs. They either have to provide additional documents, pay fines, or even be returned directly. This not only leads to the loss of payment but also may result in negative reviews from customers. In fact, customs clearance is not that complicated, but beginners dealing with it alone are very likely to fall into traps. However, a reliable freight forwarder can help you easily get over this hurdle and ensure that the goods reach the customers smoothly.
I, understand: What exactly is customs clearance?
Simply put, customs clearance is the process of declaring to the local customs, undergoing inspection and handling relevant procedures when goods enter another country from one country. Just as we need to go through customs security checks and show our passports when going abroad, cross-border goods also require “identity proof” and “compliance proof”.
Customs clearance mainly involves two major links:
- Export customs clearance: Before the goods are dispatched from China, they should be declared to the Chinese customs to prove that the goods are “legally leaving the country”, and commercial invoices, packing lists and other materials need to be provided.
- Import customs clearance: After the goods arrive at the target country (such as the United States or the European Union), they are declared to the local customs and subject to the customs’ verification of the category, value and compliance of the goods. Only after confirmation of no errors can they be released.
For beginners, the “pitfalls” in customs clearance mainly lie in the import customs clearance stage: for instance, electronic products sent to the EU without CE certification will be judged as “non-compliant”. If the declared value is too low, it is suspected of “tax evasion” and will be detained by the customs for verification. Vague product descriptions (such as only writing “daily necessities” without specifying the specific category) may cause delays in release due to incomplete information. These problems can range from incurring additional costs to the destruction of goods, which is often a fatal blow to beginners.
II. Why do new sellers say that freight forwarders are better for shipping? Three core benefits directly address the pain points of customs clearance
For beginners handling customs clearance alone, it’s like “feeling one’s way across the river”, while freight forwarders, with their professional experience and resources, can help you minimize customs clearance risks and optimize the entire shipping chain at the same time
- “Full-process protection” for customs clearance to prevent goods from being detained from the source
Freight forwarders are familiar with the customs clearance rules of major global markets: they know that children’s toys sent to the United States need ASTM certification, goods sent to the Middle East cannot contain alcohol, and food sent to Japan requires a food quarantine certificate.
Before shipment, the professional team of the freight forwarder will review your customs clearance documents in advance, such as checking whether the commercial invoice indicates “material, quantity and true value of the goods”, and whether the packing list is consistent with the actual situation of the goods. If the information is incomplete or non-compliant, you will be reminded in a timely manner to supplement and modify it. Even if there are problems with the goods during customs clearance, the freight forwarder has local cooperative customs clearance agents who can communicate and handle the situation quickly. - Integrate logistics resources, and handle customs clearance and transportation in one stop
Novices who ship goods by themselves often have to deal with domestic express delivery companies, international logistics companies and customs clearance companies respectively. The links are scattered and the communication costs are high. Freight forwarders can offer a “door-to-door” one-stop service: from receiving goods at domestic warehouses and packaging them, to export customs clearance, international transportation, and then to import customs clearance in the target country and final delivery, the entire process is uniformly coordinated by the freight forwarder.
More importantly, freight forwarders can match “customs clearance-friendly” logistics channels based on the characteristics of your goods. For instance, sensitive goods (such as beauty products and batteries) can be sent through special customs clearance lines, while general goods can be sent through commercial express delivery. This not only ensures the timeliness but also reduces customs clearance risks, preventing novices from failing to clear customs due to “choosing the wrong channel”. - Reduce comprehensive costs and avoid “hidden losses”
Novices who find customs clearance companies by themselves often cannot get good prices due to “small quantities”, and the customs clearance fee for a single shipment may be as high as several hundred yuan. By integrating the cargo volumes of a large number of sellers, freight forwarders can negotiate discounted prices with customs clearance companies, and their customs clearance costs are 30% to 40% lower than those of individuals.
At the same time, freight forwarders can also help you avoid “hidden customs clearance charges” : for instance, they can inform you in advance of the tariff threshold of the target country and plan the declared value reasonably (neither evading taxes nor paying too much). Remind of the surcharges for remote areas to avoid receiving “unexpected bills”. For novice investors with tight funds, these cost savings can be directly translated into profits.
For novice cross-border traders, customs clearance is no small matter, but there’s no need to be afraid of it either – choosing the right freight forwarder can turn this “checkpoint” into a “thoroughfare”. Let Smartdropping handle all the trivial matters related to customs clearance and logistics for you. You just need to focus on product selection and operation, and easily take the first step of cross-border business. We offer services such as purchasing on behalf of others, labeling on behalf of others, packaging on behalf of others, and shipping on behalf of others. We are located in the core production area of China and can help you trace the source!
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