By Nick Lung.    Photo : freepik

In the article of the 45th week, we talked about the reasons for getting stuck and the way to deal with it. Today, let’s talk about the normal way to clear the level!

According to the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance, there are three customs clearance methods: C1, C2, and C3.

Among them, C3 is the most stringent inspection and customs clearance option, which is screened by the computer system according to the grade of the import and export manufacturer, the nature of the goods, and the contracting customs broker.

In addition to the above conditions, it is generally believed in practice that there are several other factors that may lead to a significant increase in the probability of triggering C3:

The importer and exporter has no record of importing and exporting (for example: a new manufacturer just established)

The importer and exporter adopts his own name (it is not an import and export company)

The goods cleared by the customs contain commodities restricted by laws and regulations

Import and export manufacturers or customs brokers themselves have bad records (blacklist)

C1 is the smoothest customs clearance method.

According to the provisions of:

C1 In order to be exempted from examination and inspection, the imported goods can go to the warehouse to pick up the goods after completing the customs payment procedures with the release notice and the bill of lading. Usually, the goods can be completed within a few days from customs clearance to release.

C2 customs clearance

C2 is a relatively unsmooth way of customs clearance. According to the regulations, C2 is "document review and customs clearance". During the import process of goods, relevant documents will be specially targeted for further check:

Commercial Invoice

Packing List

After the customs declaration is made online, the original copy of the written declaration and other relevant documents shall be submitted before the customs office hours on the next day.

C3 customs clearance method

Also known as "jumping to C3" and "drawing to C3", it can basically be regarded as a solution that will be stuck for a long time after customs clearance. Generally speaking, for import and export manufacturers with good records and normal trade, the probability of random inspection of C3 is about 10%~20%.

In other cases, the probability of C3 is roughly as follows:

Newly registered, first-time import and export manufacturers: 90%~100%

Import and export goods in the name of individuals (excluding EZ WAY simple customs clearance), the size of the express package is too large, you need to use "general warehouse": 90%~100%

Documents containing goods that the importer and exporter have not cleared before: increase + 20%~30%

The goods themselves meet the requirements, or the outer packaging and name of the goods "like" the goods that need to go through inspection, quarantine, license and other operations: more than 50%

What should I do if I get C3?

The customs clearance process of the goods is mostly in the hands of the customs, or the customs broker, and other handlers (such as purchasing agents) when it is picked to C3. The best way to suggest is that the importer and exporter try to cooperate with the customs to provide the information and documents of the goods, such as catalogs, lists, photos, etc., and wait politely and patiently. Because the Customs of the Republic of China has the right and responsibility to inspect the goods in accordance with the Tariff Law, and it is almost impossible for handlers such as customs brokers and purchasing agents to benefit from delayed customs declarations and customs clearance. It is not recommended to look the normal customs inspection through coloured spectacles.

Common irrational behaviors such as: frequent urging, unpleasant tone, even verbal abuse, threats to sue, etc. Because this will greatly reduce the motivation and patience of the handler to assist in the rapid customs clearance, and in the end it may still result in unfavorable results for the parties involved.

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