Why Can Pre-declaration Shorten Customs Clearance Time?

Customs clearance time is one of the key factors that determine the efficiency of order fulfillment. Under the traditional air transport model, after the goods arrive at the port, they need to wait for declaration, review, inspection and other processes, which takes a long time and is uncertain. According to statistics, if the goods are detained at the destination port for more than 48 hours, the company has to pay an additional 15% storage and penalty costs on average. The "pre-declaration" of international air transport advances the work of document review, tax calculation and other work to the cargo transportation stage through the pre-declaration link, realizing "inspection and release upon arrival of goods", which significantly shortens the customs clearance time.

Starting from the actual needs of B2B companies and e-commerce sellers, this article explains what pre-declaration is, how it helps shorten customs clearance time, and its importance to international business. We will also discuss common problems and provide expert advice from the perspective of ChinaDivision, a third-party international logistics service provider, to help you fully control cross-border freight.

What is air freight pre-declaration?

Air freight pre-declaration refers to submitting relevant declaration information to the customs in advance before the goods arrive at the destination port so that the customs can conduct pre-examination. This process can:

Speed ​​up customs clearance and reduce the detention time of goods.

Reduce the risk of customs inspection and reduce additional review and costs.

Improve supply chain transparency and ensure smooth delivery of goods.

Why can pre-declaration shorten the customs clearance time?

Pre-document review and reduce port detention time

In the traditional mode, after the goods arrive at the port, they need to wait for the declaration documents to be complete before the customs clearance process can be started. Pre-declaration allows enterprises to submit customs declarations immediately after obtaining the manifest data, and the customs completes the document review, tax calculation and risk control in advance. For example, through pre-declaration, the declaration is completed in advance, and the goods directly enter the inspection or release link after arriving at the port, and the overall customs clearance time is shortened by more than 30%.

Dynamic fault tolerance mechanism to reduce declaration risks

If the actual arrival time is inconsistent with the declaration due to changes in the transportation plan, the pre-declaration policy allows enterprises to actively correct the information and will not record customs declaration errors. This mechanism is particularly suitable for seasonal promotions or emergency replenishment scenarios to avoid delays caused by declaration errors.

The reform of "two-step declaration" realizes "pick up the goods as soon as they arrive"

The reform of "one-time declaration, step-by-step handling" of the customs separates security access from tax management: after the goods arrive at the port, the customs will first complete the security access screening and release them, and the subsequent tax management will be carried out after the release. For example, through pre-declaration + two-step declaration, it only takes 2 hours from the arrival of the goods to the release, which is 70% faster than the traditional mode.

What does the whole process of pre-declaration operation include?

Declaration preparation stage

Document list: commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill (AWB), contract, certificate of origin (if necessary), export license (specific goods).

Goods classification: confirm whether it is special goods such as dangerous goods and lithium batteries, and additional MSDS, UN38.3 test report, etc. are required.

Obtaining manifest data: confirm the manifest information with the freight forwarder or airline to ensure the accuracy of data such as bill of lading number, weight, volume, etc.

Declaration submission stage

Declaration deadline: Export goods must be declared 24 hours before they arrive at the customs supervision area and are loaded; imported goods can be declared in advance after the manifest data is transmitted.

Declaration method: Submit an electronic data declaration form through the "single window" or "Internet + Customs" platform, and upload the accompanying documents.

Tax calculation: The system automatically calculates tariffs, value-added tax and surcharges based on the declared information, and enterprises can complete the payment in advance.

Customs review and release stage

Document review: Customs verifies the consistency of the declared data and the manifest information, focusing on the HS code, origin, quantity, etc.

Inspection arrangement: Non-controlled inspection goods are released directly; the customs notifies the enterprise to arrange on-site cooperation for goods that need to be inspected.

Release and shipment: After the customs issues an electronic release form, the goods can be loaded onto the designated flight.

Why is customs pre-declaration necessary? Advantages of pre-declaration

1. Significantly shorten customs clearance time

Pre-declaration transforms the traditional "declaration after the arrival of goods" into "declaration during transportation", which greatly shortens the detention time of goods at the airport cargo terminal.

2. Reduce customs clearance costs

Cargo detention may incur additional costs such as storage fees and demurrage. Through pre-declaration, companies can reduce the time that goods are detained at the port, reduce storage costs and demurrage. In addition, pre-declaration can also reduce additional costs caused by customs clearance delays.

3. Improve the speed of cargo delivery

Pre-declaration can track the status of goods in real time and ensure visual management of the supply chain. Logistics companies can coordinate transportation in advance to reduce emergencies. Pre-declaration ensures that goods can be released quickly after arriving at the destination port, which is crucial for time-sensitive categories such as fresh food and fashion fast-moving consumer goods.

Common user problems and solutions

How to ensure the accuracy of pre-declaration data?

Enterprises need to ensure that the submitted electronic data is completely consistent with the actual goods, including HS code, certificate of origin, declared value, etc. It is recommended to use professional logistics software or cooperate with experienced logistics agents to reduce data errors.

Is pre-declaration applicable to all types of goods?

Pre-declaration is applicable to most types of goods, but additional documents and certificates may be required for special goods (such as dangerous goods and fresh goods). Enterprises need to prepare the corresponding documents in advance according to the type of goods and the requirements of the destination country.

How does pre-declaration cope with changes in customs policies?

Enterprises need to pay close attention to changes in customs policies in the destination country and update pre-declaration data in a timely manner. It is recommended to use an intelligent price comparison platform or customs API interface to simulate declarations and automatically verify the matching degree of HS codes, rules of origin and declared values.

International air freight pre-declaration is a key tool for improving cross-border trade efficiency, but operational complexity and policy dynamics place high demands on sellers. Whether you are a B2B brand fulfilling a large number of international orders or a rapidly expanding Shopify seller, ChinaDivision's full-service logistics solution can eliminate the friction of international air transportation.

If you want to shorten customs clearance time and reduce compliance risks, please contact the Chinadivision team for a customized pre-declaration solution. By working with professional service providers, companies can focus on core businesses and shorten customs clearance time to industry-leading levels. Chinadivision is willing to work with you to jointly create an efficient and compliant cross-border fulfillment system!