Does transshipment trade count as import? Please help me answer!

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I've been researching trade-related knowledge recently, and I have some doubts about whether transshipment trade counts as import. I know that transshipment trade is a trade activity conducted between the country producing goods and the country consuming goods through a third country. But from the perspective of import, for the final consuming country, can this be considered an import? If it is considered an import, what are the differences between it and general import? I hope knowledgeable friends can help me answer, thank you!
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Robert Tan
Robert TanYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0

International Market Development AdvisorStart a Chat

Strictly speaking, transshipment trade is not considered an import for the final consuming country. Import refers to the entry of goods from other countries into a country's customs territory, and the completion of customs declaration and tax payment procedures. In transshipment trade, goods usually do not enter the customs territory of the transshipment country, but are only transited, stored, or processed in the transshipment country before being shipped to the consuming country.

For example, if country A produces goods and resells them to country C through country B, the goods only pass through country B and are not actually sold or consumed in country B's domestic market, so country B is not considered an import.

For country C, the method of acquiring goods is not a direct import from country A in the traditional sense, but rather obtained from country B through transshipment trade. From country C's perspective, it is more like purchasing from country B, not importing from country A, and it involves more intermediate links and third-country factors compared to general import.

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Olivia Liu
Olivia LiuYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Foreign Exchange Risk ManagerStart a Chat

It is not an import. Transshipment trade goods merely pass through a third country, and the third country does not incorporate them into its domestic consumption and market system, which is different from the concept of import.

Sophia Wang
Sophia WangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

International Logistics CoordinatorStart a Chat

Transshipment trade is not an import. An import requires goods to actually enter the country's customs territory and be used for domestic consumption, etc. Transshipment trade goods do not fall into this category.

Kevin Huang
Kevin HuangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

E-Commerce Export AdvisorStart a Chat

No, transshipment trade mainly utilizes the geographical location, trade policies, and other advantages of the transshipment country to transit goods, and it is not an import in the true sense.

Emma Zhao
Emma ZhaoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Export Documentation SpecialistStart a Chat

Transshipment trade cannot be considered an import because import emphasizes goods entering the country's customs territory and completing clearance procedures for domestic use, which does not happen in transshipment trade.

Richard Wu
Richard WuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Global Trade Operations ExpertStart a Chat

Differentiating by definition, import is the entry of goods for consumption, and transshipment trade goods do not enter the transshipment country for consumption, so it is not an import.

Linda Guo
Linda GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Dispute MediatorStart a Chat

It is not an import. Transshipment trade goods only briefly stay in the transshipment country and are not subsequently sold as imported goods in the transshipment country.

David Chen
David ChenYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Compliance AdvisorStart a Chat

Transshipment trade is not an import. Import involves the actual absorption of goods by a country, which is not a characteristic of transshipment trade.

Thomas Li
Thomas LiYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Import Licensing AdvisorStart a Chat

It cannot be considered an import. Transshipment trade goods do not enter the market of the transshipment country, which is different from imports used for the domestic market.

Anthony Luo
Anthony LuoYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Trade Compliance ExpertStart a Chat

No, transshipment trade merely uses a third country as a transit point, which is different in nature from imported goods entering a country for consumption.

User-submitted questions and answers reflect personal opinions, not the official stance of this website.

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