由 caicai8478 Cross-border e-commerce (such as Amazon FBA) can optimize the entire logistics chain through double customs clearance services. The core lies in integrating customs clearance resources, simplifying processes and reducing risks. The following are specific strategies and operational points:
- The core value of double customs clearance services
Double customs clearance means that the logistics company is responsible for the customs clearance procedures of the exporting country and the destination country throughout the process, including prepayment of tariffs, document processing, etc. Its advantages are reflected in:
Simplified process: Sellers do not need to handle customs declarations in both countries by themselves, which is especially suitable for inexperienced small and medium-sized sellers.
Reduce risks: Professional logistics companies are familiar with the policies of various countries (such as EU VAT, US FDA certification), reducing delays or fines caused by compliance issues.
Fund optimization: In the tax package mode, tariffs are included in the freight, and sellers can lock in costs in advance; VAT deferred customs clearance (such as EU PVA) allows delayed payment of import value-added tax to ease cash flow pressure. - Double customs clearance application in Amazon FBA scenario
- Double customs clearance and tax package solution for first-leg transportation
Compliance selection:
Give priority to logistics providers that provide “double customs clearance and tax package to door” services, covering the entire process of export customs declaration, sea/air transportation, customs clearance in the destination country and delivery to FBA warehouse. For example, the EU route needs to ensure that the logistics provider has VAT tax number and EORI number to avoid the associated risks caused by shared tax numbers.
For the US route, attention should be paid to the handling of Bond (import deposit) and POA (power of attorney), and the logistics provider needs to assist in completing them in advance to ensure smooth customs clearance.
Balance between cost and timeliness:
The cost of double customs clearance and tax package for sea transportation is lower (about $3-5/kg), but the timeliness is longer (30-40 days); the timeliness of double customs clearance and tax package for air transportation is fast (7-15 days), which is suitable for emergency replenishment.
Multimodal transport (such as “sea + rail”) can further optimize cost and timeliness. For example, the transportation time from China to Europe via the China-Europe Express is about 20 days, and the cost is 30% lower than air transport. - Customs clearance documents and compliance management
Document preparation:
Exporting country: Provide commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, etc. to ensure that the declared value is consistent with the actual goods to avoid the risk of low declaration.
Destination country: Submit additional documents according to the type of goods, such as CE certification required by the EU and FDA certification required by the United States (such as freeze-dried powder for pharmaceuticals).
Amazon requirements: The outer box must be affixed with an FBA label, the weight of a single piece is ≤23kg (overweight requires a “Team Lift” label), and the carton size meets the pallet standard.
Tax compliance:
The EU market recommends registering its own VAT tax number, delaying the payment of import value-added tax through deferred customs clearance (PVA), and then declaring a deduction after sales to improve capital turnover.
Low-priced goods (≤ 150 euros) can apply for IOSS (Import One-Stop Service) to simplify the VAT declaration process. - Terminal delivery and exception handling
Delivery optimization:
Logistics providers need to make an appointment with Amazon for the warehouse entry time to avoid delays caused by warehouse overflow. For example, US FBA sea transportation requires booking a trailer delivery 1-2 weeks in advance.
Choose a local distribution network that covers FBA warehouses, such as UPS, FedEx, etc., to ensure that the goods enter the warehouse quickly.
Exception response:
If the goods are detained due to inspection or tax issues, the logistics provider needs to provide an emergency plan, such as changing the customs clearance agent or paying back taxes. For example, the EU customs has strict inspections on textiles and low-declared goods, and detailed product descriptions need to be prepared in advance. - Technology-driven logistics optimization
Intelligent logistics platform:
Use a system that integrates real-time monitoring, automated customs clearance and dynamic route planning, such as selecting the transit country with the highest customs clearance efficiency through big data analysis (such as Belgium with a low inspection rate).
Case: A seller reduced logistics costs by 10% through an intelligent scheduling system, and the delay time was shortened from 10 days to 7 days.
Data integration and prediction:
Use blockchain technology to record logistics node information to ensure that the data cannot be tampered with, and match the tariff preferential policies of various countries.
Establish a logistics data platform to integrate data such as orders, customs clearance, and transportation time, and dynamically adjust the transportation plan.
IV. Risk avoidance and long-term layout
Compliance risk control:
Avoid using the common tax number or low declaration of freight forwarders, otherwise the goods may be seized or the account may be frozen. For example, the EU Customs and Amazon have data interoperability, and low declarations are prone to trigger inspections.
Regularly audit the customs clearance records of logistics providers to ensure that the documents are authentic and valid (such as C88 files for VAT declaration).
Diversified logistics layout:
Cooperate with multiple logistics providers and sign flexible scheduling agreements to avoid dependence on a single channel. For example, use both sea and air transportation double clearance and tax package services to cope with tight transportation capacity during peak seasons.
Establish overseas transit warehouses and spread risks through multi-country transit strategies, such as from China → Poland → Germany, taking advantage of Poland’s low tariffs.
V. Practical suggestions and case references
Key indicators for selecting logistics providers:
Qualifications: NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier) qualifications, AEO certification, and local customs clearance teams in the destination country.
Service scope: Covers the entire chain of services such as FBA headway, customs clearance, tax payment, return and label change.
Technical capabilities: Provide online tracking system, API docking, and support real-time data synchronization.
Successful cases:
A 3C seller sent to the US FBA through “double clearing tax package + sea transportation”, reducing logistics costs by 15%, and stabilizing the time limit within 35 days. At the same time, VAT deferral is used to release funds for expanding advertising, and sales increased by 20%.
The China-Laos-Thailand cross-border train adopts the “one order, two declarations” model, completing customs clearance in China and Thailand through one data input, saving 300 yuan per ticket and shortening customs clearance time by 50%.
Summary
The core of cross-border e-commerce using double customs clearance to optimize logistics lies in the balance of compliance, efficiency and cost. Sellers need to choose matching double customs clearance solutions (such as EU PVA, US Bond) according to the target market, combine technical means (smart scheduling, blockchain) to improve transparency, and reduce risks through diversified layout. Finally, by cooperating with professional logistics companies, the whole chain optimization from first-leg transportation to terminal distribution can be achieved, providing solid support for Amazon FBA operations.