Breakdown of Core Import Goods Customs Clearance Process in 2026

In 2026,Shanghai’s import trade continues to heat up.Many enterprises have imported raw materials and consumer goods from Southeast Asia and Europe,which have arrived at ports one after another.However,the customs clearance link often becomes a bottleneck —— missing documents delaying release,tariff calculation errors leading to extra costs,and compliance issues being inspected by the customs,all of which plague many enterprises every year.Customs clearance is a key node in the import chain connecting international transportation and domestic distribution,which directly affects the delivery speed of goods after arrival at the port,and is also related to enterprises’ compliance risks and cost control.Today,we will systematically sort out the core process of import goods customs clearance in 2026,and explain what Zhongshen can help with in each link.

1.Pre-preparation Stage: Document Compliance is the Foundation of Customs Clearance

The goal of this stage is to prepare all documents required for customs clearance and ensure compliance with the latest customs requirements in 2026.Many enterprises often make multiple trips due to missing a certain document,or have their documents returned due to incorrect format.

Key Actions:

• VerifytheHScodeofthegoods:In2026,thecustomsadjustedtheHScodesofsomecategoriessuchasnewenergyvehiclepartsandbiotechnologyproducts.Accurateclassificationisrequired,otherwisethetariffcalculationwillbewrong;
• Preparedeclarationdocuments:includingbilloflading,commercialinvoice,packinglist,salescontract,certificateoforigin(requiredforsomegoodstoenjoypreferentialtariffratesunderfreetradeagreements),andcustomsinspectionclearanceform(foodandcosmeticsneedtogothroughinspectioninadvance);
• Confirmregulatoryrequirements:In2026,goodssuchasmedicaldevicesandautopartsneedtoprovide3Ccertificationandimportlicense,whichshouldbehandledinadvancetoavoiddelays.

Common Issues: Mr.Yang once worked with a cosmetics import enterprise.The 2026 new policy requires supplementary ingredient test reports,but the enterprise failed to notice this.The declaration was returned by the customs,delaying release by 3 days and causing the enterprise to miss the promotion period.

Role of Zhongshen: We will help customers verify HS codes in advance,confirm the latest regulatory requirements in 2026,assist in preparing all declaration documents,and also coordinate with inspection institutions to conduct pre-test in advance to avoid making up documents after the goods arrive at the port.

2.Declaration and Review Stage: Accurate Calculation for Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement

The goal is to submit documents through the customs electronic declaration system,accurately calculate tariffs,value-added tax and consumption tax,and ensure the declaration is approved.After the upgrade of the customs electronic declaration system in 2026,the review speed has accelerated,but the requirements for document accuracy are higher.

Key Actions:

• ElectronicDeclaration:SubmitalldocumentsthroughtheChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindow.Theelectronicsignaturefunctionwasaddedin2026,whichneedstobehandledinadvance;
• TaxandFeeCalculation:CalculatetariffsbasedonHScodes,certificatesoforiginandthevalueofthegoods.GoodsundertheRCEPcanenjoypreferentialtariffrates,andtheoriginneedstobedeclaredaccurately;
• OnlineTaxPayment:Thesinglewindowsupportsthird-partypaymentplatformsfortaxpayment,eliminatingtheneedtogotothebank.

Common Issues: Supervisor Ma once encountered a customer who imported electronic products from Southeast Asia but failed to provide the RCEP certificate of origin,resulting in an extra 5% tariff payment and a loss of tens of thousands of yuan.

Role of Zhongshen: We will help customers calculate the optimal tariff plan and compare the ordinary tariff rates with free trade agreement tariff rates; assist with online declaration and tax payment,and also provide tariff guarantee services (for customers with good credit) to relieve financial pressure.

3.Inspection and Release Stage: Pick Up Containers Quickly to Seize Market Opportunities

The goal is to pass the customs inspection smoothly and pick up the containers and goods in time.The customs inspection rate has decreased in 2026,but the inspection of high-risk goods such as food and medical devices is more strict.

Key Actions:

• InspectionPreparation:Afterreceivingtheinspectionnotice,transportthegoodsfromtheyardtotheinspectionareainadvanceandprepareunpackingtools;
• CooperatewithInspection:Thecustomscheckswhetherthegoodsareconsistentwiththedeclarationdocuments(quantity,specifications,origin),andon-sitecooperationisrequired;
• ReleaseandPickup:Aftertheinspectionispassed,pickupthecontainersattheyardwiththereleaseorder.

Common Issues: The customer of Mr.Yuan previously imported furniture,declared solid wood but the actual goods were composite wood,which was found by the customs inspection.The goods were not only detained but also fined,affecting subsequent orders.

Role of Zhongshen: We will assist customers in pre-reviewing the inspection in advance to ensure that the declaration is consistent with the actual goods; assign special personnel to cooperate on-site during inspection to coordinate the inspection time and reduce delays; coordinate with the yard to arrange priority container pickup and speed up the delivery of goods.

4.Post-processing Archiving Stage: Retain Documents for Customs Verification

The goal is to complete the archiving of all documents to respond to subsequent customs verification.In 2026,the customs requires that import goods documents be retained for 3 years,and completeness must be ensured.

Key Actions:

• SortingandArchiving:Organizedeclarationdocuments,inspectionrecordsandtaxpaymentvouchersintoelectronicandpaperarchives;
• Follow-upSupport:Providedocumentspromptlywhenthecustomsconductsverification;
• ProcessOptimization:Summarizetheproblemsencounteredinthisclearanceandoptimizetheprocessforthenexttime.

Common Issues: The customer of Ms.Shi failed to retain the certificate of origin properly.Half a year later,when the customs conducted verification,the certificate could not be found,and the customer was required to pay the differential tariff.

Role of Zhongshen: We will help customers establish electronic archives that are retained for more than 3 years to respond to verification at any time; summarize the experience of each clearance and provide optimization suggestions for customers.

Although the import goods customs clearance process is more efficient in 2026,the requirements for policies and documents are more complex.Enterprises are prone to pitfalls when handling the clearance by themselves —— delaying time and missing the market,paying extra taxes and fees and increasing costs,and violating regulations and affecting credit.Zhongshen has been engaged in foreign trade agency for more than 20 years,is familiar with the customs clearance policies of Shanghai and national ports,and has dedicated personnel to connect with each link.We can help customers avoid more than 90% of common bottlenecks and improve the clearance efficiency by 30%-80%.

Whether it is a manufacturing enterprise importing raw materials or a trading company importing consumer goods,handing over customs clearance to a professional team allows enterprises to focus on their core business.If you have import customs clearance needs,please contact Zhongshen,we will help you sort out the process and optimize the plan.