AI customs era: Will double customs clearance disappear?

Against the background of the rapid development of AI technology, the customs clearance process is undergoing profound changes, but “double customs clearance” (such as the “bonded warehouse customs clearance + terminal distribution customs clearance” model commonly seen in cross-border e-commerce) will not completely disappear in the short term, but will gradually evolve towards a more efficient “intelligent collaborative customs clearance”. The following is a key analysis:

1. The fundamental reason for the existence of double customs clearance

Regulatory logic differences

First customs clearance (such as bonded area exit): complete tariff/VAT payment and realize the “cross-border” attribute transformation of goods

Second customs clearance (such as domestic distribution nodes): complete localized supervision such as health quarantine and commodity registration

AI can optimize the process but it is difficult to eliminate this institutional stratification

Risk prevention and control needs

The current double customs clearance is essentially a risk firewall between “cross-border supervision” and “domestic circulation supervision”

For example: the bonded stocking model needs to ensure that the final consumer of the goods is consistent with the declaration

2. A I brings the direction of change
   Document automation

Machine learning automatically identifies more than 95% of customs declaration documents (such as invoices, waybills)

Blockchain realizes cross-departmental data mutual recognition and reduces repeated submissions (China Customs has shortened the process by 30% in the 2023 pilot)

Intelligent risk assessment

Through historical data training, AI can quickly release low-risk goods (Singapore Customs AI system has achieved 80% instant customs clearance)

High-risk goods still require manual review, but AI pre-examination can improve efficiency

Full-link visualization

IoT devices + AI algorithms to achieve real-time tracking of cargo trajectories (such as D HL’s SmartSensor technology)

It is possible to transform the current “segmented customs clearance” into “en route customs clearance”

III. Future evolution path

Transition stage (2024-2030)

Form a “one-time declaration, intelligent distribution, and two-end inspection and release” model

For example: Hangzhou Cross-border Comprehensive Pilot Zone has piloted the “bonded export” single declaration customs clearance time to 4 hours

Long-term trend

Under the framework of trade facilitation agreements (such as RCEP), it is possible to establish:

Transnational customs AI collaborative network (similar to the upgraded version of the EU Customs Union)

“Credit customs clearance” mechanism: AEO Certified enterprises enjoy seamless customs clearance

Special scenarios are reserved

High-value goods (such as luxury goods) and controlled items (drugs/health products) may still retain multiple regulatory nodes

IV. Suggestions for enterprises to respond
Pre-arrange intelligent customs declaration system (such as the “single window” AI interface for customs)

Establish a digital passport for goods (including structured data such as HS codes and quality inspection reports)

Participate in customs AEO certification and strive to enter the “white list” fast track

The current “Smart Customs 2024” plan of China Customs shows that AI technology is mainly used for process compression rather than reducing regulatory levels. In the future, double customs clearance may change from “physical separation” to “logical separation”, but its complete disappearance still requires a fundamental reconstruction of the international trade regulatory system.