According to Article 17 of the 2025 Customsimport and exportGoods Declaration Management Measures, a completeforeign tradecontract serves as the core document for proving transaction authenticity. It must include the following key clauses:
Complete information of both buyer and seller(Registered address, contact details, legal representative)
Technical specifications of goods(Including HS Code, material description)
Trade terms(Recommended to adopt INCOTERMS? 2025 version)
Proforma Invoice (amount must match customs declaration)
How to Avoid Common Material Preparation Mistakes?
Based on practical experience serving 300+ enterprises, we highlight three key points to note:
Timeliness Conflict: The interval between customs declaration issuance date and contract signing date must not exceed 180 days
Certification Requirement Differences: Middle Eastern countries require additional chamber of commerce certification, while ASEAN countries accept electronic signatures
Version Consistency: The goods descriptions on the proforma invoice, packing list, and bill of lading must be completely identical
What Are the Emergency Solutions for Missing Documents?
When encountering special circumstances, the following remedial measures can be attempted (requires prior notification to customs):
Alternative Proof: PI + bank payment receipt can temporarily substitute formal contracts
Supplementary Guarantee: For missing quality documents, bond release can be applied for
Post-Submission Procedure: Original inspection certificates must be supplemented within 15 working days after customs declaration
What Material Details Should Be Noted When Selecting Agency Services?
We recommend focusing on verifying three document handling capabilities of agents:
Electronic Document Conversion: Whether EDIFACT message conversion from PDF is supported
Multilingual Certification: Official translation qualifications for documents in minor languages
Exception Handling Channels: Whether there are fast document supplement channels for AEO-certified enterprises