What is a customs broker?

Many factories and trading companies engaged in import and export often need to entrust an agent for commodity inspection due to the requirements of commodity inspection and customs declaration. Commodity inspection is the inspection of goods. Authorized export customs declaration trading companies entrust other agency companies to handle all foreign trade commodity inspection matters. Foreign trade merchants need to clarify which agreement to entrust and which product to inspect. Entrusting an agent for commodity inspection requires handling some procedures, which is actually a troublesome matter. However, on some major international trading websites like eBay, as a global trading platform, sellers do not need to hire someone to handle commodity inspection. Items on eBay are shipped in the form of personal parcels, thus not involving the issue of entrusting an agent for commodity inspection.

However, not everything can be handled through an agent for commodity inspection. For example, many toy products, food products, or high-tech precision products are often impossible to handle through an agent due to strict national regulations. These require the factory or enterprise to make formal self-declaration and registration with the commodity inspection bureau, followed by factory inspection and certain inspections and checks on the goods before the release can be granted.

In addition, there are some issues to pay attention to when entrusting an agent for commodity inspection: when clients provide specific information to the agent, they must request a form for completing the data, fill it in carefully and verify it; otherwise, losses caused by incorrect entry leading to failure of customs declaration will be borne by the client. Choose the agent for commodity inspection cautiously. Nowadays, there are many frauds online falsely promoting themselves as agents for inspection. It is recommended to choose a more reputable agent or company for safe and reliable operations.

It is worth noting that foreign merchants need to be clear about the goods eligible for commodity inspection. Generally, they can be divided into several categories:

    1. Goods requiring inspection by the client. To ensure the goods received are consistent with the contract, clients will require the seller to undergo commodity inspection and issue a certificate.

     2. Goods subject to statutory inspection in China. Some countries require export goods to undergo commodity inspection before export.

         3. Goods subject to statutory inspection in the importing country. Importing countries may require certain Chinese export goods to be inspected. The inspection can be done at the time of export from China or at the place of import.

Commonly inspected products in foreign trade export

1. Apparel

1) Woven garments generally require commodity inspection, except for baby clothing and tracksuits.

2) Knitted garments with wool or rabbit hair content exceeding 50% require commodity inspection; otherwise, generally not required.

2. Footwear

3. Lamps

1) Bulbs, tubes, lamp holders, chandeliers, wall lamps, ceiling lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, etc., require commodity inspection.

2) Stage lights, street lights, spot lights, night lights, decorative lights, and non-illuminating lights do not require commodity inspection.

4. Household Appliances

1) All small household appliances require commodity inspection.

2) Electric fans and exhaust fans require an export license in addition to commodity inspection for export.

5. Audio Equipment

1) Speakers, audio cabinets, CDs, VCDs, radios, and video recorders require commodity inspection.

2) DVDs require a chamber of commerce certificate in addition to export commodity inspection.

6. Toys: Plastic toys, stuffed toys, intellectual toys, and electric toys all require commodity inspection.

7. Fabric: Cotton fabric (containing 60% or more cotton) requires commodity inspection.

8. Ceramics: Daily-use porcelain, art ceramics, sanitary ceramics, architectural ceramics, and ceramic tiles all require commodity inspection.

9. Clocks and Watches: Quartz clocks, alarm clocks, quartz watches, and mechanical watches all require commodity inspection.

10. Hardware Products: Stainless steel kitchenware, screws, and nuts require commodity inspection.