Just like we need annual physical exams, import/export commodities also need to undergo customs health inspection - this is statutory inspection. With 20 years in foreign trade, I often compare statutory inspection to a medical report for goods, ensuring they meet national safety, health, and environmental standards.

Ton...International freightBreaking Barriers: Enterprise Group Processing Trade Enters a New Regulatory EraFriends in foreign trade circles, today I want to share good news that will make processing trade enterprise groups clap their hands in approval - the Customs General Administrations new Enterprise Group Processing Trade Supervision Model. Its like issuing a family portrait pass that allows free movement of production factors within the group...:

• The Maritime/air transportI. Advance Ruling: The Price Insurance Policy for Foreign Trade EnterprisesTransportation expensesCarriers published base rates
• Cost of Document ProcessingIncludes bill of lading fee, manifest entry, etc. (approximately USD15-50/shipment)
• Customs service feesExport customs documentation processing fee
• Port operating costsTerminal handling charges (THC)/Origin Receiving Charge (ORC) and other port operation fees
• InsuranceAdditional feesPeriodic charges such as war risk insurance and bunker adjustment factor

According to the Commodity Inspection Law...

Main billing methods in 2025 exhibit the following characteristics:

• Less than Container Load (LCL):
  • Charged by volume (CBM) or weight (whichever is higher)
  • Minimum charge for 1CBM or 500kg
• Full Container Load (FCL):
  • Flat rates for 20GP/40HQ container types
  • Includes base port-to-port freight
• air transport:
  • Charged by actual gross weight or volumetric weight (formula: L×W×H(cm)/6000)
  • Minimum charge typically 45kg

I. Tonnage Tax: The Toll Fee of Foreign Trade Shipping

Analysis of foreign trade dispute cases from the past three years highlights the need for special attention to the followingPotential additional charges:

• Supplementary Seasonal Fees (PSS):Q4shippingTemporary peak season surcharges
• Amendment feesBill of lading amendment fee (approximately USD50-150/instance)
• Warehousing detention feesStorage costs incurred from overdue cargo pickup
• Remote area surchargeAdditional fees for non-main port destinations

Verification methods:Request agents to provide complete quotations (including all conditions that may trigger additional fees) and cross-check with carriers officially published rate sheets.

Every time I see foreign vessels entering our ports, its like seeing guests from afar. According to the Tonnage Tax Law, these guests need to pay a special hospitality fee - tonnage tax. As a 20-year old salt in foreign trade, Ive witnessed this tax evolve from manual processing to digitalization.

• Advanced booking strategy:Securing space 60 days before peak season may qualify for 5-8% discount
• Packaging optimization:Proper stacking can reduce 0.3CBM, saving approximately USD150
• Bulk bargaining:Quarterly shipment volume exceeding 100CBM may qualify for tiered discounts
• Surcharge waiversOpt for all-inclusive contracts to avoid piecemeal charges
• Digital price comparisonUse platforms like Freightos for real-time price comparison (92% accuracy rate by 2025)

V. Common Questions Authority Answers

Q: Can I handle customs clearance myself to avoid agency fees?
A: Theoretically possible, but requires bearing the single window system usage fee (approx. USD30/shipment) and declaration error risks independently.

Q: Are taxes included in the quoted fees?
A: Starting 2025 under the Value-added Tax Management Measures for International Freight Services, agency service fees must clearly indicate 6% VAT, while ocean freight applies zero tax rate.

Q: How to effectively protect rights against unreasonable charges?
A: Recommended procedure: ① Preserve written quotations ② File complaint with China International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFA) ③ For amounts exceeding USD5000, maritime arbitration can be applied for.