1. What is "Agricultural Products in Transit"? Why is a special certification required?

As a seasoned veteran in foreign trade, I often encounter clients' confusion: "The goods are already on the way, how could they suddenly be affected by a tariff policy adjustment?" This brings us to the concept of "in-transit agricultural products" as defined in Announcement No. 207 of 2019 by the General Administration of Customs.

Simply put,"Agricultural products in transit"refer to:

• Specific agricultural products for which contracts were signed before the implementation date of special safeguard measures
• and have already been shipped to China
• mainly involving 12 tariff lines of agricultural products from New Zealand and 8 tariff lines from Australia

This type of goods is like "passengers rushing for the last bus." Although the policy has changed, considering the seriousness of commercial contracts, customs still offers a "make-up ticket" opportunity—this is"Proof in Transit"the in-transit certificate.

II. Application conditions and material preparation: These details must not be overlooked

Based on my 20 years of agency experience, 90% of application issues arise during the document preparation stage. Let's take a look at the "three essential documents" required by customs:

• Original evidence of origin: It must be a valid original, just like the "ID card" of the product.
• Trade documents: Invoice, packing list, and contract are indispensable and must be mutually verifiable
• Transportation proof: The most easily overlooked, yet most crucial point is to prove that "the goods are indeed on the way."

Specifically reminded:Transportation proofCan be port authority DO delivery order, manifest query screenshots, etc., but must clearly show two time points: shipping time and arrival time. Last year a client had to pay 15% extra tariff due to providing blurry shipping screenshots.

III. Online application process: 5 steps to complete customs approval

The entire application process can now be completed online. I've summarized the most reliable "Five-Step Method":

1. Log in to the system: Through the "Internet + Customs" platform or the Palm Customs APP
2. Create new application: Note! The same certificate of origin can only be applied for once
3. Fill in information: For product quantity, fill in the total net weight of all HS code products
4. Upload attachments: PDF format, single file not exceeding 4M
5. Submit declaration：The process is only completed when it transitions from "temporary storage" to "declaration."

A little tip: The system only opens applications after agricultural products reach the annual trigger level. Its recommended to set reminders in advanceCustoms AnnouncementReminder: Dont miss the application window period.

IV. Customs declaration form filling tips: What to pay attention to for special case 997 declaration

Obtaining the "in-transit certificate" is only half the battle; extra caution is required during the customs declaration process:

• Duty exemption natureThe column must be filled with "997".
• Duty exemptionFill in the column with "Special Case".
• Remarks columnmust simultaneously indicate the certificate of origin number and in-transit proof number

Here’s a case from last year: A dairy product importer, despite having obtained the certificate, forgot to fill in "997" during customs declaration. As a result, the system automatically calculated the duty at the most-favored-nation rate, leading to an overpayment of 820,000 yuan in taxes. Although the amount was later refunded through administrative reconsideration, it delayed the company's capital turnover by a full three months.

V. FAQ: Lessons learned from veteran foreign trade experiences

Q: How long is the in-transit proof valid?
A: Consistent with the validity period of the certificate of origin document. Expired proofs become void.

Q: Common reasons for application rejection?
A: Mainly three situations: Incomplete materials, goods not on the list, or annual quota already used up.

Q: How long does approval take?
A: Customs promises completion within 5 working days. Our actual cases average 2-3 days.

Q: Can applications be delegated to agents?
A: Of course! But complete authorization documents are required. Its recommended to choose agents with agricultural import experience.

VI. Professional advice: Avoid these pitfalls

Based on our 327 handled cases, weve summarized three major risk-avoidance guidelines:

• Time trap: Apply immediately after goods arrive at port. The longer delayed, the higher the risk
• Quota warning: In-transit quantities count towards next years quota. Import schedules should be planned in advance
• 32. Document management: It is recommended to establish a "dedicated file for agricultural products in transit," with all documents scanned and backed up.

Final reminder: Special supervision zones have separate regulations for agricultural products. Its recommended to consult Customs hotline 12360 in advance. Remember, compliant declarations save not just tariffs but also corporate credibility!