1.Early Stage Demand Matching and Solution Customization

The first step of import and export agency for foreign trade enterprises is to accurately match their own needs with the agency’s service capabilities—whether focusing on customs clearance speed,tax refund efficiency,or transportation requirements for special cargo.The quality of docking in this stage directly determines the smoothness of subsequent processes.

Goals and Key Actions

The core goal of this stage is to avoid demand mismatch and lay a solid foundation for subsequent processes.Key actions include:

• Theenterprisesubmitsbasicinformationsuchascargotype,destination,andordercycle;
• Theagencysortsoutspecialrequirements(suchasdangerousgoodstransportation,bondedzonewarehousing,etc.);
• Developapersonalizedplanandclarifythetimenodesanddivisionofresponsibilitiesforeachlink.

Common Problems and Risk Mitigation

Common problems in this stage focus on vague demand description and lack of qualifications for special cargo.For example,some enterprises fail to clarify whether their goods are subject to statutory inspection,leading to delays in the inspection declaration process; insufficient qualifications for dangerous goods transportation may result in the risk of cargo being detained by customs.

The core of risk mitigation is to conduct pre-emptive qualification checks and clarify demand boundaries.

Intelligent Support from Zhongshen

Manager Shi from Zhongshen introduced that the company’s built intelligent demand matching system allows enterprises to only need to upload order and cargo information,and the system can automatically identify cargo types,destination regulatory requirements and generate a preliminary plan.For example,for chemical exports,the system will automatically retrieve the destination’s environmental standards and transportation restrictions to avoid omissions in manual checks.In addition,Manager Shi will confirm the details of the plan one by one with the enterprise’s contact person to ensure no deviation in demand.

2.Intelligent Customs Declaration and Inspection and Document Processing

Customs declaration and inspection are the core links in the import and export process.The accuracy of documents and the speed of declaration directly affect the customs clearance timeliness of goods.In 2026,the customs’ requirements for electronic document review will be further improved,and traditional manual document preparation is prone to errors,leading to an increase in inspection rates.

Goals and Key Actions

The goal of this stage is to ensure the accuracy of documents and reduce the inspection rate.Key actions include:

• Theintelligentdocumentpreparationsystemautomaticallygeneratescustomsdeclarationforms,inspectiondeclarationformsandotherdocuments;
• Thedocumentreviewsystemcompletesthree-layerverification(logicalverification,datamatching,customsrulesverification);
• Connecttothecustomselectronicporttocompleteonlinedeclarationandreceiptacquisition.

Common Problems and Risk Mitigation

Common problems include incorrect commodity code filling,missing declaration elements,inconsistency between goods and documents,etc.These problems may lead to declaration return in mild cases,and affect the enterprise’s customs credit rating in severe cases.

The key to risk mitigation is to check documents and cargo information in advance and use intelligent tools to reduce human errors.

Intelligent Support from Zhongshen

Zhongshen’s intelligent document preparation system is connected to the General Administration of Customs’ commodity code database,which can automatically match accurate codes based on cargo descriptions,with an error rate of less than 0.1%.Manager Jia is responsible for document review,and she will use the system’s "document comparison tool" to cross-verify the weight,quantity and other information of the cargo packing list and customs declaration form.For goods subject to statutory inspection,the system will also automatically generate an inspection declaration appointment form to avoid missing the inspection declaration time.

The comparison of differences between traditional agencies and Zhongshen’s intelligent agency in 2026 is as follows:

3.Full-Link International Transportation and Warehousing Collaboration

International transportation and warehousing are the key links connecting import and export ends,especially under the "small-batch,multi-batch" order model of cross-border e-commerce,transportation visualization and warehousing flexibility are particularly important.

Goals and Key Actions

The goal of this stage is to ensure that goods arrive safely and on time while reducing transportation and warehousing costs.Key actions include:

• Theintelligentschedulingsystemmatchestheoptimaltransportationroute(sea,air,railcombinedtransport);
• Real-timecargotrajectorymonitoring(connectedtologisticsproviderGPSandcustomssupervisionsystems);
• Intelligentwarehousingmanagement(scancodeforstorage,inventorywarning,automatedsorting).

Common Problems and Risk Mitigation

Common problems include transportation route delays (such as port congestion),cargo damage during warehousing,inventory backlog or stockouts,etc.In 2026,some routes are congested due to geopolitical factors,and traditional agencies cannot adjust routes in time,leading to cargo delays.

The key to risk mitigation is real-time monitoring and flexible scheduling.

Intelligent Support from Zhongshen

Zhongshen’s intelligent scheduling system integrates real-time data of major global ports and routes,and can automatically recommend the optimal plan based on cargo timeliness and cost budget.General Manager Li gave an example: "Last month,a batch of electronic products was shipped to Europe.The originally scheduled sea transport was delayed due to congestion in the Suez Canal,and the system automatically switched to air + rail combined transport,arriving 3 days earlier than originally planned."

The intelligent warehouse uses AGV robots for sorting,with a storage accuracy rate of 99.9%.The system will also automatically warn of inventory based on order volume to avoid backlogs or stockouts.

4.Intelligent Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment and Export Tax Refund

Foreign exchange receipt and payment and export tax refund are the "capital recovery link" for foreign trade enterprises,and they are also parts that are prone to delays.In 2026,foreign exchange management policies have been simplified,but enterprises still need to pay attention to exchange rate fluctuations and the completeness of tax refund materials.

Goals and Key Actions

The goal of this stage is to accelerate capital turnover and reduce the risk of exchange rate fluctuations.Key actions include:

• Theintelligentforeignexchangesystemautomaticallymatchesexchangeratesandpaymentpaths;
• Intelligentreviewoftaxrefundmaterials(connectedtothetaxsystem);
• Onlinedeclarationandcapitalreceipttracking.

Common Problems and Risk Mitigation

Common problems include delayed foreign exchange receipt,missing tax refund materials (such as non-standard VAT invoices),exchange rate fluctuation losses,etc.Some enterprises have extended their tax refund cycles by 2-3 months due to late submission of materials.

The key to risk mitigation is to prepare materials in advance and use intelligent tools to lock in exchange rates.

Intelligent Support from Zhongshen

Zhongshen’s intelligent foreign exchange system is connected to real-time exchange rates of multiple banks,and can automatically select the optimal exchange rate for receipt and payment,supporting forward foreign exchange settlement to lock in exchange rates.Supervisor Mao introduced: "The system will automatically check the customs declaration forms,VAT invoices,bills of lading and other materials required for tax refunds.Once any material is missing or non-standard,it will remind in advance.The tax refund declaration time has been shortened from 3 days to 1 day,and the average receipt cycle is 15 days,7 days faster than the industry average."

5.Core Value of Zhongshen’s Intelligent Agency

From accurate demand matching,to intelligent document preparation for customs declaration and inspection,to real-time collaboration in transportation and warehousing,and efficient processing of foreign exchange and tax refunds,Zhongshen’s intelligent services cover the entire import and export process.Supported by system tools and professional teams,enterprises can reduce human errors,reduce risks,accelerate capital turnover and improve order efficiency.

For foreign trade enterprises,choosing a professional intelligent agency is like installing an "accelerator" for the import and export process.If you have import and export agency needs,you may contact Zhongshen,and let the professional team escort your foreign trade business.