Looking for an export freight forwarder to ship goods, want to understand the customs clearance operations, and inquire about the required documents and key steps. The best answer states that customs clearance requires documents such as a commercial invoice, customs declaration, and goes through review, tax payment, and inspection. Once inspection is clear, the goods are released. It emphasizes the need for rigor in each step of customs clearance, preparing documents, and cooperating with customs.
How Much Do You Know About Tax Payment for Freight Forwarding Export Services? Ask Me!
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Our company is engaged in freight forwarding export business and is not very clear about the tax payment situation. We want to know how freight forwarding export services specifically pay taxes? What tax types are involved? What are the tax rates? What is the calculation basis? We hope for a detailed explanation from a professional to gain a clearer understanding of our company's tax payment and avoid tax risks.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Emma ZhaoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Export Documentation SpecialistStart a Chat
Tax payment for freight forwarding export services mainly involves value-added tax (VAT). According to relevant regulations, taxpayers providing freight forwarding services calculate their sales amount by deducting the government funds or administrative fees collected from the principal and paid on their behalf from the total price and extra-contractual payments received.
General taxpayers are subject to a tax rate of 6%, and small-scale taxpayers have a collection rate of 3% (which may be adjusted during certain preferential policy periods). The calculation basis is the sales amount calculated as described above.
Additionally, if relevant contracts are signed, stamp duty may be involved. For example, for freight contracts, stamp duty is levied at 0.05% of the freight charges; for warehousing contracts, it is levied at 0.1% of the warehousing fees. Furthermore, businesses generating profits need to pay corporate income tax, generally at a rate of 25%, with preferential tax rates for small and low-profit enterprises. It is important to accurately account for all business activities, declare and pay taxes according to regulations, and avoid tax risks.
Robert TanYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
International Market Development AdvisorStart a Chat
In addition to the above, attention should also be paid to surcharges, such as urban maintenance and construction tax, which is 7% in urban areas, 5% in counties and towns, and 1% in other areas, with the VAT amount as the tax basis. Education surcharge is 3%, and local education surcharge is 2%, both calculated based on the VAT amount.
Thomas LiYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Import Licensing AdvisorStart a Chat
Regarding stamp duty, if an agency contract is signed, it is generally not a taxable document for stamp duty and does not require stamp duty payment. However, if the nature of the contract is ambiguous, it is advisable to consult the local tax authority for confirmation to avoid underpayment.
Michael ZhangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Clearance SpecialistStart a Chat
When declaring VAT, relevant tax returns must be filled out accurately. Small-scale taxpayers should fill out the VAT Tax Return Form (for Small-scale Taxpayers), and general taxpayers should fill out the VAT Tax Return Form (for General Taxpayers) and its attachments.
Olivia LiuYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange Risk ManagerStart a Chat
If freight forwarding export services involve international freight forwarding services, and meet the conditions, they can enjoy VAT exemption policies, requiring tax exemption filing with the tax authorities according to regulations.
Richard WuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Global Trade Operations ExpertStart a Chat
For corporate income tax pre-payment, it is paid based on the actual profit amount. The annual final settlement and payment will involve refunds or additional payments, requiring accurate calculation of all incomes, costs, and expenses.
Sophia WangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics CoordinatorStart a Chat
For funds collected and paid on behalf of others, clear accounting records and relevant vouchers must be maintained to avoid confusion with taxable sales and affect VAT calculation.
Daniel KimYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Commodity Inspection and Quarantine ConsultantStart a Chat
If the company has import and export operating rights, it must also pay attention to customs duties. However, freight forwarding export itself generally does not directly involve customs duty payment; it is mainly paid by the consignor or consignee of imported and exported goods.
Linda GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Dispute MediatorStart a Chat
Keep all tax-related invoices, contracts, and other documents properly for tax inspections and to ensure tax handling compliance.