I plan to use an agency for import business and want to know if tax needs to be paid. If so, what are the relevant taxes, and who pays them, the agency or the client? The best answer states that import agencies need to pay taxes, generally including customs duties and value-added tax, and sometimes consumption tax for certain goods. The taxpayer is usually the consignee of the goods or their agent, and the specific taxpayer is determined by the customs declaration and the agreement between the parties.
How to Confirm Import in Re-export Trade? Come and Share Your Experience!
Resolved
I've recently been researching re-export trade, and I'm a bit unclear about how to confirm the import phase. In re-export trade, goods may not physically enter the home country, so how exactly is import considered complete? Is it based on the transfer of goods ownership, or are there other criteria? What specific documents and procedures should be considered to confirm that the import has been completed? I hope knowledgeable friends can explain it to me, so I can clearly understand how to confirm import in re-export trade.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
In re-export trade, confirming import primarily hinges on the transfer of goods ownership. When ownership of the goods transfers from the overseas supplier to the domestic re-export trader, it can be considered an import from a trade substance perspective. Regarding documentation, a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and similar documents are generally required. The bill of lading proves the transportation and ownership of the goods, the commercial invoice clarifies the goods' value and transaction details, and the packing list describes the goods' packaging. Procedurally, the re-export trader needs to sign a purchase contract with the overseas supplier, clarifying the rights and obligations of both parties. Concurrently, attention should be paid to the transportation arrangements to ensure safe and timely transit of the goods. Although the goods may not physically enter the home country's customs territory, these steps form important bases for import confirmation in terms of trade procedures and legal relationships. Only by completing these key steps can the import activity in re-export trade be accurately confirmed.
Relevant customs declaration documents can be reviewed; even if the goods do not enter the home country, if there are corresponding re-export customs declaration records that comply with the trade contract, they can assist in confirming the import. However, it is crucial that the customs declaration information is accurate.
Cash flow is also a reference point. When the re-export trader pays for the goods to the overseas supplier, it implies an import activity from a financial perspective, but a comprehensive judgment still requires combining it with other conditions.
Review the trade contract terms, clarifying specific provisions such as goods delivery and transfer of ownership, and judge whether the import is complete based on the contract's stipulations.
The circulation of transport documents is also very important, such as freight forwarder's bills of lading, which show the goods' transport arrangements and delivery status, helping to confirm the import status.
Pay attention to the goods' insurance status. The re-export trader bears the risk of the goods, and purchasing insurance can indirectly reflect import confirmation-related circumstances.
Goods inspection reports can also shed light on the matter; if there is an inspection report, it indicates that the goods' condition meets trade requirements, and is related to import confirmation.
Communication records with overseas suppliers, such as email confirmations of goods details, can also serve as circumstantial evidence for import confirmation.
Logistics tracking can be analyzed. If the goods are transshipped as planned to the re-export trader's designated location, it can also assist in judging import-related circumstances.