Analysis of Core Stages of Full-process US Trade Import & Export

I.Preparatory Stage: Contract Signing and Qualification Check

Sino-US trade remains stable in 2026,and many domestic enterprises are布局 the US market,but hidden dangers are often left due to negligence of details in the preparatory stage.The core goal of this stage is to confirm the rights and responsibilities of both trading parties,complete the qualification verification of US importers and cargo compliance review,so as to avoid subsequent disputes or customs clearance delays.

There are three key actions: First,sign a trade contract with clear rights and responsibilities.In addition to conventional price terms,delivery time and quality standards,it is necessary to supplement "product liability clauses" and "intellectual property clauses" unique to the US market; Second,check the qualifications of the US importer such as IRS tax number,FDA registration (for food and drugs related products),CBP filing and etc; Third,confirm the HS code of the goods and the latest US import tariff rate in 2026,which directly affects cost accounting.

Common problems are concentrated in three aspects: First,the contract terms are vague.For example,the delivery time does not specify whether it is "natural days" or "working days",leading to misjudgment by enterprises; Second,the HS code is declared incorrectly.In 2026,the fine for incorrect code from US customs has increased by 10% compared with 2025; Third,the US importer has incomplete qualifications.For example,failure to complete FDA registration results in that food cargo cannot clear customs.

The role of Zhongshen in this link is very specific: Manager Bi will assist customers in reviewing contracts and supplementing clauses unique to the US market.For example,when a clothing enterprise owner Mr.Lan took an US order in 2026,the original contract did not mention the "US CPSC clothing safety standard".Manager Bi found this and added relevant clauses,avoiding the risk of subsequent cargo recall; Second,Zhongshen checks the HS code through the latest US customs database and matches the 2026 tariff rate.For example,Mr.Ji of an electronics enterprise overpaid US$2000 in tariffs due to incorrect code before.After the verification assisted by Manager Bi,this problem has been avoided in all subsequent orders; In addition,Zhongshen will assist customers in verifying the qualifications of US importers,and guide customers to supplement materials if incompleteness is found.

II.Cargo Shipment: International Transportation and Space Booking

Cargo shipment is a key link connecting domestic factories and the US market.Its goal is to select appropriate transportation methods,guarantee cargo timeliness and optimize transportation costs.The US line transportation market changed greatly in 2026.The sea freight space price dropped by 15% compared with 2025,but it is still tight in peak season and requires advance planning.

Key actions include: select transportation mode according to cargo type (e.g.air freight for fresh products,sea freight for large cargo); book space and confirm documents such as packing list and bill of lading; purchase cargo insurance (high-value cargo needs to cover risks such as cargo damage and delay).

Common problems: Space is tight in peak season.One month before Christmas 2026,the gap of sea freight space reached 20%,resulting in cargo stranded at domestic ports; The packing list does not match the actual cargo.For example,a furniture enterprise declared "wooden furniture" but mixed with metal accessories,causing customs clearance delay; Incomplete insurance coverage.A chemical enterprise did not insure "temperature control delay insurance",resulting in cargo deterioration and no claim settlement.

The role of Zhongshen: It has long-term cooperation with US line shipping companies and airlines,and can still get stable space in the 2026 peak season.Mr.Lan’s clothing order successfully booked space before Christmas,and shipped 3 days earlier than independent booking; Manager Bi will check the packing list against the actual cargo in advance to ensure the consistency of documents.Manager Bi found the weight deviation of Mr.Ji’s electronics order and corrected it in time,avoiding customs clearance delay; In addition,Zhongshen assists customers in selecting insurance schemes that meet the requirements of the US market.After a fresh food enterprise purchased "air freight temperature control insurance",the claim settlement efficiency was 2 days faster than independent insurance.

III.Customs Clearance: Core Points of US Import Customs Clearance

Customs clearance is the "final step" of US trade import and export.The goal is to pass US customs smoothly and avoid inspection delay.New US customs regulations in 2026 require that all food cargo must provide "origin traceability code",and electronic cargo must provide "FCC certification",which puts forward higher requirements for enterprise declaration.

Key actions: submit customs declaration,commercial invoice,packing list,bill of lading and other documents; pay import tariff and value-added tax (if required); cooperate with customs inspection (X-ray inspection,physical inspection).

Common problems: Incomplete declaration documents.A food enterprise failed to provide "origin traceability code",resulting in 10 days of customs clearance delay; Incorrect tariff calculation.A machinery enterprise declared "zero-tariff" products at the conventional tax rate and overpaid US$3000; The inspection found that the cargo does not match the declaration.A toy enterprise declared "plastic toys" but contained metal parts,facing a fine of US$5000.

The role of Zhongshen: The customs clearance team is familiar with the new US customs regulations in 2026,and prepares a complete set of declaration documents in advance.Mr.Lan’s clothing order prepared CPSC certification and certificate of origin in advance,and the declaration passed at one time; Assist customers in calculating accurate tariff amount.Manager Bi checked Mr.Ji’s electronics order and found that he could enjoy the "US-China trade agreement tariff preference",saving 15% of tariff; If inspected,Manager Bi will arrange special personnel to cooperate on site.When an order of a furniture enterprise was inspected,the on-site staff of Zhongshen provided the "wood material inspection report" in time,shortening the inspection time to 2 days (independent declaration requires 5 days).

List of common documents for US customs clearance:

• CommercialInvoice:Mustincludedetaileddescriptionofgoods,unitprice,totalprice,countryoforigin,informationofUSimporter,etc.
• PackingList:Listthecargodetails,grossweight,netweight,volume,boxnumber,etc.ofeachcontainer
• BillofLading:Seabillofladingshallbe"StraightBillofLading"or"OrderBillofLading",airwaybillshallbe"MasterWaybill"
• CertificateofOrigin:RequiredtoenjoytariffpreferencesundertheSino-USTradeAgreement
• FDARegistrationCertificate(forfood,pharmaceuticals,medicaldevices):New2026regulationsrequireregistrationintheFDAsysteminadvanceandprovidetheregistrationnumber
• FCCCertification(forelectronicproducts):NeedtoprovideavalidFCCIDnumber

IV.Warehousing and Distribution: US Local Warehousing and Last-mile Delivery

After customs clearance,the cargo needs to enter the US local warehouse and be delivered to the end customer.The goal is to complete the delivery efficiently and improve customer experience.Changes in the US local warehousing market in 2026: 3 new large warehouses have been added in the Midwest,covering a wider area; Demand for e-commerce sorting warehouses increased by 20%,as the proportion of the US e-commerce market increased to 35%.

Key actions: select appropriate US local warehouse (general warehouse,bonded warehouse,e-commerce sorting warehouse,temperature-controlled warehouse); complete warehousing procedures and update inventory information; arrange last-mile delivery (FedEx,UPS,truck transportation,etc.).

Common problems: Insufficient warehouse capacity.In 2026,an e-commerce enterprise’s cargo could not be put into storage in time,resulting in delayed order delivery; Last-mile delivery delay.A large cargo order from a home furnishing enterprise was delayed for 7 days,triggering customer complaints; Improper warehouse management.The cargo of a chemical enterprise deteriorated due to temperature fluctuation in the temperature-controlled warehouse.

The role of Zhongshen: It has cooperative warehouses on the east and west coasts of the United States and in the Midwest,and added new Midwest warehouses in 2026,covering the whole United States; Assist customers in selecting appropriate warehouse types.Mr.Lan’s clothing order selected the e-commerce sorting warehouse in California,and the last-mile delivery efficiency was improved to 2 days; Provide real-time inventory query service,customers can check the cargo location through the system; Last-mile delivery can be tracked to the specific location.When the delivery of Mr.Ji’s electronics order was delayed,Manager Bi contacted UPS in time to adjust the route and delivered one day in advance.

Comparison of US Local Warehouse Types in 2026:

V.Foreign Exchange and Tax Refund: Foreign Exchange Receipt & Payment and Export Tax Refund Processing

Foreign exchange receipt and payment and export tax refund are the capital links that enterprises pay attention to.The goal is to collect foreign exchange safely,get export tax refund in time,and reduce capital pressure.The fluctuation of the US dollar exchange rate in 2026 is gentler than that in 2025,but exchange rate risk still needs attention; The export tax refund policy remains stable,but document review is stricter.

Key actions: confirm foreign exchange arrival,handle settlement (at the latest 2026 exchange rate); prepare export tax refund documents (customs declaration,VAT invoice,bill of lading,etc.); submit tax refund application to the tax department.

Common problems: Foreign exchange arrival delay.A machinery enterprise’s foreign exchange arrived 10 days late,affecting raw material procurement; Incomplete tax refund documents.A toy enterprise failed to provide the "export tax refund copy of customs declaration",resulting in the tax refund cycle extended to 6 months; Exchange rate fluctuation.A clothing enterprise lost 5% of profit due to exchange rate decline.

The role of Zhongshen: It has a professional foreign exchange team,which can assist customers to lock the 2026 US dollar exchange rate.Mr.Lan’s clothing order locked the exchange rate of 6.3,which is 0.1 higher than the current market exchange rate,earning an extra 20,000 RMB; Manager Bi will check the tax refund documents in advance to ensure they are complete and accurate.The tax refund cycle of Mr.Ji’s electronics order is shortened to 1.5 months (normal 3 months); Provide foreign exchange arrival reminder service,complete settlement within 3 working days after arrival.The foreign exchange of a machinery enterprise was settled on the same day of arrival,which does not affect capital turnover.

US trade import and export process involves multiple links,and risks may occur in each link.It is easy for enterprises to step on pitfalls when operating independently.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for over 20 years,covering the whole process from preliminary preparation to foreign exchange tax refund.Each link has specific implementation actions: Manager Bi assists in contract review and HS code verification; the customs clearance team is familiar with the new regulations in 2026; warehousing and distribution cover the whole United States; the foreign exchange team locks exchange rate and accelerates tax refund.

If you have demand for US trade import and export,you can contact Zhongshen.Manager Bi will develop a exclusive solution according to your cargo type,destination and other information,help you avoid risks and improve efficiency,and make your US trade smoother.