It is widely known that when we are going to import from China and the products arrive at the destination country, they must go through customs.
customs
. However, what happens there is often beyond our control and can give us more than one headache. We will try to explain in a simple way what customs are and what happens to our products.
Customs is a public office that deals with:
–
Charge tariffs
depending on each imported product. It is mainly used as a measure to protect the domestic market.
Example: If our country produces a lot of oil, oil from abroad will pay a high tariff so as not to harm the domestic market. However, in the event that we need to import fish, because we are a landlocked country, the government will lower tariffs a lot to make the product cheaper.
(This is a simplistic explanation, the system is obviously much more complex…)
The tariffs charged by the country of origin are in the public domain and are available on the internet (often on official websites). The European Union has common tariffs for all its countries. MERCOSUR in theory as well, but exceptions abound.
–
Fight against fraud and smuggling
and smuggling. There is no need to explain that if customs did not exist, there would be free traffic of drugs, stolen goods, weapons, counterfeit goods, art and historical heritage or even people.
–
Prevention of harm to public health
. This category includes animals that may endanger the local ecosystem, chemicals, toxic waste and foodstuffs. The latter is especially important, as food imports often have special requirements that go beyond the collection of tariffs and the veracity of the product.
There are cases, such as the U.S., where the entry of food is extremely complex and requires a series of permits and examinations that deter many traders.
–Statistics. Controlling what enters and leaves the country gives the government and private entities the possibility to analyze trade balance, market trends, trade peaks, etc.
Now that you know what customs are, we can explain the things that can happen to you there and how to avoid them (you can’t always).
If you want to import from China, do not hesitate to contact us without obligation.
