Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

The World Customs Organization released Advisory Opinion 4.19, clarifying how to handle royalties that include both patent rights for imported raw materials and trademark rights for the final product in customs valuation. This opinion aims to enhance valuation certainty, reduce trade friction, and assist businesses in tax planning. It offers valuable guidance for cross-border e-commerce and import-export enterprises, particularly regarding the treatment of royalties in determining customs value. The advisory opinion provides a framework for consistently applying valuation principles to complex licensing agreements.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Guide to Managing Detained International Shipments at Customs

Guide to Managing Detained International Shipments at Customs

It's common for overseas parcels to be detained by customs. This article addresses the reasons for detention, such as prohibited items, unclear declarations, missing documents, and exceeding tax thresholds. It provides solutions including contacting freight forwarders, supplementing materials, and truthfully correcting information. Prevention tips are also offered, such as understanding customs policies, standardizing customs declarations, and choosing reliable freight forwarders. Remaining calm and responding promptly are key to resolving the issue. Understanding import regulations and accurate documentation can minimize the risk of customs delays.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Guide to Customs Compliance on Royalties and License Fees

Guide to Customs Compliance on Royalties and License Fees

The World Customs Organization has released new advisory opinions focusing on key customs valuation issues such as royalties, license fees, and trademark usage. The opinions clarify that royalty income tax should be included in customs valuation, emphasize that valuation of goods with own trademarks requires case-by-case analysis, and explain the principles for handling mixed royalties. Businesses should thoroughly understand the regulations, meticulously record transaction information, and consult with professionals to ensure customs valuation compliance. This helps avoid potential penalties and ensures accurate import/export declarations.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
US Air Freight Costs Surge Amid Rising Demand Capacity Crunch

US Air Freight Costs Surge Amid Rising Demand Capacity Crunch

Multiple factors including the pandemic, geopolitics, and economics are causing volatile and high air freight rates for US imports. Imbalances in supply and demand, rising operating costs, tight capacity, and exchange rate fluctuations are all contributing to increased costs. High prices are expected to persist in the near future. Importers should also pay close attention to the US import customs clearance process to ensure compliance and efficiency.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Guide to Export Tax Refunds for Businesses

Guide to Export Tax Refunds for Businesses

This article provides a detailed interpretation of the export tax rebate process for foreign trade, covering five key steps: online application for verification and write-off forms, IC card acquisition, verification and write-off form filing, customs declaration, and the tax rebate process itself. Furthermore, it introduces the calculation methods for export tax rebate amounts under various circumstances and lists the necessary business documents required, aiming to help foreign trade enterprises successfully obtain their tax rebates.

08/21/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Customs Tax Agencies Strengthen Price Verification Systems

Customs Tax Agencies Strengthen Price Verification Systems

The 2025 WCO Council discussions emphasized the need for customs to closely collaborate with tax authorities, leveraging transfer pricing documentation to verify prices against customs values. This cooperation not only enhances tax compliance but also provides businesses with pricing certainty, reducing legal risks and economic losses.

09/16/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
HS Code Chemicals Export Tax Rebate Analysis

HS Code Chemicals Export Tax Rebate Analysis

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the commodity information and export tax rebate policies related to 29 categories of HS codes. It covers the rebate rates, regulatory conditions, and inspection requirements for various chemicals, helping traders effectively understand export dynamics and optimize their trade strategies.

08/05/2025 HS Code Query
Read More
Streamlining International Returns Customs and Tax Refunds

Streamlining International Returns Customs and Tax Refunds

This article delves into the return shipment operations in international freight, focusing on the customs and tax refund procedures to ensure that businesses efficiently comply with customs and tax requirements, minimizing risks of delays and financial losses. By clarifying the status of goods and dynamically managing tax refunds, it aids companies in optimizing their return shipment strategies.

07/02/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More