One of the most common issues importers face is delayed customs declaration, which may result in a Late Declaration Surcharge (滞报金) imposed by China Customs.

Here’s a quick overview:

What is a Late Declaration Surcharge?

It is an administrative charge collected by Customs when the consignee or its customs broker fails to complete the import declaration within the prescribed time limit after the cargo arrives in China.

When Does the Surcharge Start?

The surcharge is calculated starting from the 15th day after the arrival of the transportation vehicle (vessel, aircraft, etc.) and continues until the date the import declaration is submitted to Customs.

How Is It Calculated?

The formula is:

Late Declaration Surcharge = Customs Duty-Paid Value × 0.05% × Number of Overdue Days

In other words, China Customs currently applies a surcharge rate of 0.05% per day (5/10,000 of the customs value).

The higher the customs value and the longer the delay, the greater the surcharge. Therefore, timely customs declaration is critical for controlling import costs and maintaining supply chain efficiency.

Please note that calculation methods and applicable regulations may vary across different countries and customs jurisdictions.

Have you ever encountered customs declaration delays or surcharge issues in your import operations? Feel free to share your experience in the comments.

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Contact:
Bo Yuan
Shanghai Xinhai Customs Brokerage Co., Ltd.

Email:yuanbo@thecustoms.com.cn
Web: www.xinhai.com