1. Why Choosing the Right Customs Declaration Method Matters?
Choosing an unsuitable customs declaration method may lead to:
| Consequence | Example |
|---|---|
| ❌ Financial Loss | Goods eligible for tax refund shipped via express, losing up to 13% of the cargo value |
| ❌ Time Wasted | Small parcel processed through full declaration procedure, cost per shipment exceeds cargo value |
| ❌ Compliance Risk | Goods requiring general trade shipped via express, deemed as misdeclaration |
| ❌ Data Missing | Long-term use of informal channels, enterprise lacks customs trade data |
Therefore, spending 5 minutes before each export to decide on the declaration method is highly worthwhile.
2. Three-Dimensional Decision Model
We establish a three-dimensional model of "Cargo Value × Cargo Volume × Platform" to help you decide quickly.
Dimension 1: Cargo Value (Value per shipment)
Value per shipment
├── >5,000 RMB ──────────→ Cannot use express ──→ General trade or Cross-border e-commerce
├── 1,000-5,000 RMB ──────→ Can choose express (KJ3) or general trade
└── ≤1,000 RMB ──────────→ Express (KJ2/KJ3), Cross-border e-commerce, or General trade acceptable
Decision Tip: Cargo value is the primary "elimination factor" — over 5,000 RMB, the express channel is automatically closed.
Dimension 2: Cargo Volume (Export frequency and batch size)
Monthly export frequency
├── High frequency (>50 shipments/month) ──→ Prefer cross-border e-commerce (9660 consolidated declaration) or self-declaration
├── Medium frequency (10-50 shipments/month)─→ Cross-border e-commerce or customs broker
└── Low frequency (10 shipments/month) ──→ Customs broker or express (if value qualifies)
Single batch size
├── Full container/shipment ──→ General trade (preferred)
├── LCL/loose cargo ──→ General trade or 9710
└── Single piece/small parcel ──→ Cross-border e-commerce or express
Decision Tip: Cargo volume determines reasonable declaration costs. High-volume scenarios must choose a mode that supports consolidated declaration.
Dimension 3: Platform (Transaction channel)
Transaction channel
├── Traditional offline contract ────→ General trade (0110)
├── Cross-border e-commerce B2C platform ──→ Cross-border e-commerce (9610)
├── Cross-border e-commerce B2B platform ──→ Cross-border e-commerce (9710)
├── Overseas warehouse/FBA replenishment ───→ Cross-border e-commerce (9810)
├── Samples/non-commercial goods ──────→ Express (KJ3)
└── Personal items ────────→ Express (KJ2)
Decision Tip: The platform determines the basis for data matching. Orders from e-commerce platforms must have a corresponding customs declaration mode.
3. Comprehensive Decision Flowchart
┌─────────────┐
│ Goods ready for export │
└──────┬──────┘
│
┌──────▼──────┐
│ Tax refund needed? │
└──────┬──────┘
│
┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
│ Yes │ No
▼ ▼
┌───────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐
│ Shipment value >5,000? │ │ Shipment value >5,000? │
└───────┬───────┘ └───────┬───────────┘
│ │
┌─────────┴──────────┐ ┌─────────┴──────────┐
│ Yes │ No │ Yes │ No
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────clay──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ Transaction channel? │ │ Transaction │ Transaction │ │ Transaction │
├─────────clay──────────┤ ├──────────┤ ├──────────┤ ├──────────────────┤
│ · Offline→0110 │ │ · Offline→│ │ · Offline→│ │ · Offline→0110 or │
│ · E-commerce B2C→ │ │ 0110 │ │ 0110 │ │ broker │
│ 9610 │ │ · E-com→ │ │ · E-com→ │ │ · E-commerce B2C→ │
│ · E-commerce B2B→ │ │ 9610/ │ │ 9710/ │ │ 9610 │
│ 9710 │ │ 9710 │ │ 9810 │ │ · E-commerce B2B→ │
│ · Overseas warehouse→│ │ │ │ │ │ 9710 │
│ 9810 │ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ │ · Samples→KJ3 │
└─────────────────┘ │ · Overseas WH→9810│
└──────────────────┘
Quick Reference Table
| Your Condition | Recommended Method | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full container export, need tax refund | General trade (0110) | Standard method, hassle-free for refund/foreign exchange |
| Small parcel direct mail, need tax refund | Cross-border e-commerce (9610) | Allows consolidated declaration + tax refund |
| FBA replenishment export | Cross-border e-commerce (9810) | Designated overseas warehouse mode |
| Sending samples, no refund | Express (KJ3) | Most convenient, value ≤5,000 RMB |
| Online B2B transaction | Cross-border e-commerce (9710) | Matches e-commerce platform data |
| High-frequency small parcels, no tax refund | Express or cross-border e-commerce | Depends on value and compliance needs |
| Import bonded stock | Cross-border e-commerce (1210) | Bonded + combined tax rate advantage |
4. Recommended Decisions for Different Trade Scenarios
4.1 Traditional Foreign Trade Factory
| Your Characteristics | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| Monthly exports ≥ 3 full containers | General trade + self-declaration (if capable) |
| Occasional exports, don't want to build an in-house team | General trade + customs broker |
| Do both online B2B and traditional trade | 9710 (online) + 0110 (offline) |
4.2 Cross-border E-commerce Seller
| Your Characteristics | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| Amazon FBA seller | 9810 (first leg) + 9610/General trade (replenishment) |
| DTC brand seller (small parcel) | 9610 |
| AliExpress/Wish seller | 9610 |
| Alibaba International Station seller | 9710 or general trade |
4.3 SME / Entrepreneur
| Your Characteristics | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| Just starting in foreign trade, a few orders per month | Customs broker → 0110 or 9610 |
| Need to understand basic customs knowledge | Use professional broker + learn gradually |
| Want long-term development | Apply for import/export rights early + build customs credit record |
5. Post-Decision Quick Checklist
After selecting a customs method, use this checklist for quick confirmation:
General Trade (0110): - [ ] Customs registration code ready - [ ] Invoice/Packing list/Contract prepared - [ ] HS code confirmed (exact to 8 digits) - [ ] Licenses/regulatory documents ready - [ ] Tax refund documents prepared
Cross-border E-commerce (9610/9710/9810): - [ ] Cross-border e-commerce enterprise registration done - [ ] Three-single interface solution confirmed - [ ] Goods within positive list scope - [ ] Consolidated declaration cycle confirmed
Express (KJ1/KJ2/KJ3): - [ ] Cargo value within limit - [ ] No license/inspection/3C involved - [ ] No tax refund/foreign exchange needed - [ ] Product name declared clearly & accurately
6. Common Decision Pitfalls
| Pitfall | Correct Understanding |
|---|---|
| "Sending via express is simplest, use it for all samples" | Samples valued >5,000 RMB or involving licenses/inspection require formal customs clearance |
| "Cross-border e-commerce must use 9610" | FBA uses 9810, B2B uses 9710, depends on the scenario |
| "General trade is too troublesome" | Using a professional broker makes it uncomplicated, and tax refunds offset the cost |
| "Small parcels don't need customs consideration" | All inbound/outbound goods must declare, just in different forms |
| "One method fits all" | As business grows, upgrade from express → 9610 → general trade |
7. Where to Get More Help?
There is no single correct answer for choosing a customs method; it depends on your specific business model. If you are unsure which declaration method suits your goods, consider:
- Refer to the flowchart in this article for initial judgment.
- Consult a customs broker or logistics service provider (they handle multiple methods daily with rich experience).
- Network with peers to learn common declaration choices for similar product categories.
- Contact Hope Trans Logistics for free customs consultation.
📖 Further Reading: - 2.1 Comparison of Three Customs Methods — More detailed comparison and legal basis - 2.2 General Trade Customs Guide - 2.3 The Four Modes of Cross-border E-commerce Customs - 2.4 Express Customs Clearance
Bo Feng Logistics specializes in domestic/international container shipping, Hong Kong/Macau logistics routes, and value-added services (trucking, customs, warehousing, insurance). Customs service areas: Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen. Tel: 13075678958 | Email: info@zhbfwl.com
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