How is tax collected on entrepot trade, can anyone knowledgeable explain?

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Our company is planning to develop entrepôt trade business recently and is not very familiar with the tax policies in this area. We want to know how funds involved in entrepôt trade are regulated in terms of taxation? Are taxes collected based on the value-added portion of the goods, or are there other calculation methods? In addition, will there be differences in taxation for different trading commodities? We hope to get help from professionals to answer this, so that we have a clear understanding.
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The taxation situation for entrepôt trade is relatively complex. Generally speaking, entrepôt trade does not involve the actual import and processing of goods in the country, and mainly involves stamp duty, etc. Stamp duty is usually paid as a certain proportion of the contract amount, for example, a purchase and sale contract is generally subject to a stamp duty of three ten-thousandths.

In terms of turnover tax, since the goods are not actually imported and sold in the country, value-added tax, consumption tax, etc. are not levied. However, if entrepôt trade involves services such as agency, it may involve service value-added tax, which generally has a tax rate of 6%. As for different trading commodities, the basic framework for taxation is the same, but specific commodities may have special regulations due to national policies, such as some resource-based commodities may have additional tax considerations. It is recommended to communicate with the local tax authorities to ensure accurate tax payment.

References: The Covert War of Transshipment Trade: Who Controls the Global Flow of Goods?

When collecting taxes on entrepôt trade funds, the first step is to clarify the transaction form. If it is a pure resale, the focus is mainly on contract-related taxes. Like the stamp duty mentioned earlier, it must be paid according to regulations when signing the contract. And the tariff policies for different commodities will vary, but entrepôt trade goods do not enter the country's customs territory, so tariffs are generally not a major consideration.

The focus of taxation for entrepôt trade depends on the trade process. If it involves services such as logistics and warehousing, relevant services may incur taxes. For example, warehousing services may involve value-added tax, and the specific details depend on local policies. When calculating costs, these potential taxes should be included.

Taxation on entrepôt trade also depends on the tax treaties between the regions where the trading parties are located. Some regions have preferential policies that can reduce tax costs. In addition, corporate income tax must also be considered and paid according to the company's profitability.

Tax collection depends on the specific business model. If entrepôt trade is operated through offshore accounts, taxes on the flow of funds are relatively simple, and may only involve a small amount of handling fees and taxes, but it also depends on the regulations of the jurisdiction.

The taxation of entrepôt trade is also related to the origin of the goods. Although the goods are not actually imported, the tax policies during the trade process may differ depending on the origin, which needs special attention.

For entrepôt trade taxation, local tax authorities' special requirements should also be noted. Some places have separate regulations for the entrepôt trade of specific industries or commodities, and it is best to consult in advance to understand.

Tax collection also involves invoicing issues. The issuance and flow of invoices in entrepôt trade must be compliant, which also affects tax calculation and declaration, and the authenticity and legality of invoices must be ensured.

In entrepôt trade taxation, the terms of the trade contract are also crucial. The provisions on price, delivery method, etc. in the contract will affect tax calculation, so signing contracts requires caution.

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