0. Pre-Clearance Self-Checklist (S0)
Before initiating the export customs clearance process, take 5 minutes to complete the following self-check to avoid delays caused by inadequate preparation:
| Check Item | Inspection Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Is the cargo exportable? | Check HS code regulatory conditions to confirm it is not a prohib ted/restricted export item | □ |
| ✅ Is the HS code confirmed? | Accurate to 8 digits with clear classification basis | □ |
| ✅ Are licenses/inspection completed? | If regulatory conditions involve certificates/inspection, apply in advance | □ |
| ✅ Are all documents ready? | Invoice/packing list/contract prepared and data consistent | □ |
| ✅ Is the credit rating known? | Enterprise customs credit rating leads to corresponding expected inspection rate | □ |
| ✅ Is the declaration method selected? | Self-declaration or agent? If agent, power of attorney signed | □ |
| ✅ Is sufficient time allowed? | Allow at least 2 working days (without inspection) to 5 working days (with inspection) | □ |
All 7 items above checked √ → Clearance process can proceed smoothly. If any items are incomplete, handle them first before declaring..
1. Export Clearance Overview
1.1 Overall Process
Pre-export Preparation
↓
① Document Preparation ── Overview 1-2 days
↓
② Electronic Declaration (Single Window) ─ 10-30 minutes
↓
③ Customs Review ──────────── Seconds to hours
↓
┌──────┴──────┐
│ ④a Inspection│ ④b Tax Payment (Rar e)── 1 -2 days (during inspection)
└──────┬──────┘
↓
⑤ Electronic Release ────────── Instant
↓
⑥ Physical Shipment ──────── According to sailing/flight schedule
↓
⑦ Clearance ──────────────── 1-3 days after release
1.2 Time Reference
| Stage | Without Inspection | With Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Document Preparation | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Electronic Declaration → Review | 0.5-4 hours | 0.5-4 hours |
| Inspection | — | 1-2 days |
| Release → Shipment | According to sailing schedule | According to sailing schedule |
| Clearance | 1-3 days after release | 1-3 days after release |
| Total Time (from declaration to release) | 0.5-1 day | 1.5-3 days |
2. Step 1: Pre-export Preparation
2.1 Confirming Cargo Regulatory Conditions
Before preparing for expor t, confi3 things first:
✔ Is the commodity allowed for export? (Prohibited exports? Restricted exports?)
✔ Is an export license required? (Does the regulatory condition code include G/O/2/3/4 etc.?)
✔ Is export mandatory inspection required? (Does the regulatory condition include B?)
2.2 Document Preparation
Core documents for export customs declarations (see Chapter 3 for details):
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Product name, HS code, quantity, uni t price, total price, trade terms |
| Packing List | Number of packages, gross weight, net weight, volume, marks |
| Sales Contract | Or sales confirmation |
| Customs Declaration Power of Attorney | Provided when entrusting an agent (electronic power of attorney preferred |
| Other Regulatory Documents | L Iceage, certificate of start of origin, inspection forms, etc. (depending on the product ) |
2.3 Internal Audit Before Customs Declaration
Companies are advised to establish a "Six Confirmations" system, listing specific verification methods for each item:
III. Step 2: Electronic Declaration
3.1 Declaration Channel
Currently, over 99% of customs declarations are completed online through the China International Trade Single Window (www.singlewindow.cn).
Declaration Methods:
- Self-Declaration: Enterprise uses its own operator card → logs into Single Window → fills out the customs declaration form independently
- Agent Declaration: Entrusts a customs broker → the broker enters and submits the declaration on the enterprise's behalf
3.2 Key Points for Filling Out the Customs Declaration Form
The export customs declaration form has 40+ fields. The following are key fields and their filling guidelines:
3.3 Declaration Timing Requirements
- Sea Export: Declare after the goods arrive at the customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading
- Air Export: Generally declare 4-8 hours in advance
- Rail/Road Export: Generally declare 12-24 hours in advance
IV. Step 3: Customs Document Review
4.1 Review Methods
Customs document review adopts a model of "system-automated review as the primary method, supplemented by manual review":
4.2 Key Review Points
Customs reviewers primarily focus on the following issues:
V. Step 4: Customs Inspection
Customs inspection is the most concerning part of the clearance process for enterprises. For detailed information, see Section 5.3: How to Handle Customs Inspections.
If inspected, do not panic—the vast majority of inspections are routine spot checks and do not indicate wrongdoing by the enterprise.
Inspection Results:
┌─────────────┐
│ Inspection │
│ Implemented │
└──────┬──────┘
│
┌──────┴──────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ Inspection │ │ Abnormalities │
│ Passed │ │ Found │
│ → Proceed │ │ → Classification/│
│ to Release│ │ Price/Product │
│ │ │ Description │
└─────────────┘ │ Mismatch, etc. │
└────────┬─────────┘
│
┌───────┴───────┐
│ Inaccurate │ Intentional → Penalty
│ Declaration │ Negligent → Amend/Repay
└───────┬───────┘
│
After required handling → Release
VI. Step 5: Electronic Release
6.1 Release Indication
After customs review is passed (and inspection, if required, is completed with no abnormalities), an electronic release instruction is sent through the system.
After Release:
- The terminal/airport arranges loading of goods onto vessels/flights based on the electronic release instruction
- Enterprises can check release status on the Single Window platform
- Electronic release does not require a physical stamp (customs stamps on paper declarations are processed after customs closing)
6.2 Post-Release Precautions
VII. Steps 6-7: Shipment and Customs Closing
7.1 Physical Shipment
After release, goods are loaded onto vessels (sea)/aircraft (air)/vehicles (land) as scheduled.
7.2 Customs Closing
Customs Closing is the final state where customs confirms that the goods have actually departed the territory. Closing data is:
- The trigger condition for export tax rebates
- The foundational data for foreign exchange settlement verification
- Important data for the enterprise's customs credit record
Closing Time:
7.3 Linkage with Tax Rebate and Foreign Exchange Settlement
After the export customs clearance process is completed, the export tax rebate and foreign exchange settlement verification stages begin:
Closing → Obtain closing data
↓
① Declare foreign exchange settlement verification to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
② Declare export tax rebate to the tax authority
↓
Foreign exchange received + tax rebate completed
VIII. Efficiency Optimization Suggestions for Export Customs Clearance
📞 Bofeng Logistics provides one-stop export customs declaration services, covering major ports in Zhuhai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen (Note: export declaration at other ports requires separate confirmation). From document preparation to customs release, our team provides full professional follow-up. Please call 13075678958 or email info@zhbfwl.com for service details and quotations.
📖 Next Step: After export customs clearance is completed → goods are loaded for shipment, see International Shipping Operations Manual, Chapter 16: Full Process of Export Ocean Shipping
📖 Next Article: 5.2 Complete Import Customs Clearance Process — Arrival → Bill of Lading Exchange → Declaration → Tax Payment → Inspection → Release → Pickup
Related Reading: 5.3 How to Handle Customs Inspections | 3.1 Core Document Preparation Guide
Bofeng Logistics focuses on domestic/international container shipping, Hong Kong/Macau logistics dedicated lines, and value-added services (trucking, customs declaration, warehousing, insurance).
Customs declaration service areas: Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.
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