most frequent terms.
The procedures for importing from Asia are complex, and forgetting a document can have disastrous consequences. Our comprehensive management service handles the bureaucracy with total efficiency and saves you worries
The commercial regime
Depending on the country of origin and destination, different situations can arise. The ideal situation is absolute commercial freedom, so no prior document is required. However, the most common cases are:
- Prior Surveillance. In this case, it is necessary to submit the Prior Import Notification (NOPI) if the surveillance measure is national, or the Community Surveillance Document if the measure is community-based.
- Authorization. Some goods are subject to community restrictions, so an Import License is required. If the restriction is national, an Administrative Import Authorization is needed.
Customs procedures
Companies that decide to import from Asia or any other country have the same tax obligations as other companies, such as the Business Activity Tax (IAE) or the Value Added Tax (IVA). The latter is paid upon the arrival of the goods at customs and is applied based on the type of goods and their stage of processing.
To facilitate tax calculation, goods are classified in the Customs Tariff with an eight-digit code consisting of two parts:
- Nomenclature of the European Community (Combined Nomenclature)
- Tariff schedule (duty assigned to each item and sub-item)
The Integrated Tariff of the European Communities (TARIC) is obtained by adding two more digits to this code. It is used for goods subject to specific measures, such as those arriving from outside the European Union. For goods traveling between community countries, the INTRASTAT document must be completed.
If the goods have a TARIC code, the Single Administrative Document (DUA) must be completed, used for export, import, or transit, providing information about the goods and their origin.
Additional documentation for importing from Asia
Depending on the country and type of product, it may be necessary to present some additional documents. These are the most common:
- Certificate of origin. Used to certify the country of origin.
- Import Certificate AGRIM. This may be required for importing some agricultural or fishery products.
- Certificate CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora controls the import of animals, wild plants, and their products. This certificate ensures that endangered species are not traded.
- Packing List. A list included with the commercial invoice indicating the contents of the shipped packages.
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or bill of lading. When goods are transported by ship, this document guarantees the existence of an international maritime transport contract, that the shipper has delivered the goods on board, and who the owner is.
- Air Waybill (AWB). Equivalent to the bill of lading but used in air transport.
How much does it cost to forget a paperwork procedure?
Forgetting or not getting one of these documents in time during an import or export process can have catastrophic effects, such as the goods not arriving on time because they cannot be accessed at customs. If these are components, production may halt. Or the economic offer from the supplier may expire. Or the opportunity to start production in Asia may be lost.
Even if your organization has the skills and resources to resolve such a situation as quickly as possible, how much does it cost you? How many work hours do you have to dedicate to such complex and sophisticated procedures?
