Planning to use a freight forwarding agent to import goods, inquiring whether the agent needs to pay taxes, what types of taxes are involved, and who bears the cost. The best answer states that import duties and VAT on imported goods are generally borne by the principal. If the agent charges an agency fee, they need to pay VAT, with the tax rate depending on the taxpayer's type, and may also involve surcharges. The specific sharing arrangement depends on the contract; if not specified, it will be handled according to convention.
Where can I find a reliable Shanghai import and export freight forwarder?
Resolved
Our company has goods that need to be imported from abroad to Shanghai recently, and we want to find a professional import and export freight forwarder to help handle transportation and other related matters. However, I don't know much about this area and don't know where to start looking. Does anyone familiar with this have any advice on how to find a suitable import and export freight forwarder in Shanghai? I hope you can explain in detail, thank you.
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Sophia WangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics CoordinatorStart a Chat
There are various ways to find an import and export freight forwarder in Shanghai. Firstly, you can search online using search engines like Baidu by entering "Shanghai import and export freight forwarder" to get a lot of relevant information. However, be sure to filter and check the company's official website to understand their service scope, experience, and cases. Secondly, consult with peer companies; they may have encountered reliable forwarders in their actual business and can provide valuable recommendations. Furthermore, attend industry exhibitions where you can communicate directly with various freight forwarder companies face-to-face and intuitively assess their professionalism. You can also use freight forwarder platforms; platforms like Zhongmaoda gather numerous freight forwarding resources, making it easier to find a suitable forwarder. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the forwarder's qualifications, reputation, prices, and service capabilities to ensure smooth cooperation.
David ChenYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Compliance AdvisorStart a Chat
You can look for them in some industry forums, such as logistics-related forums. Many freight forwarding companies post information there, and you can also see reviews from other cargo owners, which can be helpful for your selection.
Richard WuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Global Trade Operations ExpertStart a Chat
Contact local chambers of commerce or industry associations in Shanghai. They usually have a list of member companies, which may include good import and export freight forwarders, providing a certain degree of credibility guarantee.
Michael ZhangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Clearance SpecialistStart a Chat
Post your needs on social media platforms such as Weibo and Douyin. Perhaps relevant practitioners will see it and contact you, which can also broaden your search scope.
Linda GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Dispute MediatorStart a Chat
Call the 114 directory assistance to see if you can get contact information for some Shanghai import and export freight forwarding companies, and then proceed to understand them further.
Emma ZhaoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Export Documentation SpecialistStart a Chat
Visit the vicinity of Shanghai Port, where freight forwarding companies are more concentrated. Conduct on-site inspections to get a more intuitive understanding of the company's situation.
Daniel KimYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Commodity Inspection and Quarantine ConsultantStart a Chat
Use job search websites to check the recruitment information of freight forwarding companies. You can also indirectly understand the company's strength from the recruitment requirements and scale.
Anthony LuoYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
Search on e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba. Some freight forwarding companies display their services there, which can be compared and screened.
Olivia LiuYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange Risk ManagerStart a Chat
Find freight forwarders that have cooperated with foreign trade companies. Foreign trade companies have high requirements for freight forwarder services. Those they have used and found to be good should also be relatively reliable.