In international trade, customs declaration isimport and exportan important process that goods must go through. During this process, enterprises need to fill in a series of commodity information in detail on the customs declaration form. These information are collectively referred to asDeclaration elementsThey assist customs in classifying goods, levying taxes, conducting supervision, and compiling statistics. Among these, "function" is an indispensable element in the declaration, requiring enterprises to provide a detailed description of the specific function or purpose of the declared goods. So, how can one accurately fill in the "function" section and ensure the declaration smoothly passes customs review? Next, we will explain it to you in detail.

Composition of Declaration Elements

First of all, lets understand what the declaration elements usually include. They generally include the following information:

• Product name: The specific name of the commodity.
• Brand type: Such as self - owned brand, joint - venture brand, imported brand, etc.
• Export Preferential Treatment Situation: Whether to enjoyExport Drawbackor tariff preferences.
• Purpose: The purpose of use or scope of application of the commodity.
• Function: The specific functions, uses, or characteristics of the commodity.
• Brand Name(Chinese or Foreign Language): The brand name of the commodity.
• Model: The model or specification of the commodity.
• Other Information: Such as composition, material, production process, etc.

The role of "function" in the declaration elements

"Function" refers to the specific functions, roles, or characteristics of a product, that is, the product"What can be done"Accurately completing the "Function" section is crucial for customs in classifying goods (HS code), regulation, and taxation.

A. Help with Commodity Classification

• Accurate Classification: Different commodities may be similar in appearance or material, but differences in their functions can lead to differences in classification. Accurately describing the function helps the customs classify correctly.
• Avoid Misdeclaration: Describing the function in detail can prevent the commodity from being misclassified, thus reducing tax differences or legal risks.

B. Meet Regulatory Requirements

• Special Supervision: Due to their special functions, some commodities may be subject to special supervision by the customs or other departments. Describing the function in detail can help the customs determine whether additional supervision is required.

C. Support Tax Collection and Administration

• Tax Rate Determination: The function of a commodity may directly affect the applicable tax rate.
• Tax incentives: Commodities with certain specific functions may meet tax preferential or exemption policies.

How to fill in the "Function" section

When filling in the "Function" section, it is recommended to follow these principles:

A. Accurately and in Detail

• Specific Description: Describe the function of the commodity in as much detail as possible, avoiding simply repeating the commodity name or purpose.
• Avoid Ambiguity: Avoid using vague terms such as "high-performance" or "multi-functional"; instead, specify the product's features in detail.

B. Use Professional Terms

• Professional Expression: Use industry - recognized terms to facilitate understanding and judgment by customs officers.
• Avoid Common Names: Avoid using colloquial, common or local names.

C. Be Logical

• Consistency: The function description should be consistent with other declaration information such as the commodity name, purpose, and model.
• Rationality: The function description should conform to the objective characteristics and actual situation of the commodity, avoiding function descriptions that do not match the commodity.

Example Explanation

To better understand how to fill in the "Function" section, here are some practical examples:

• Example 1: Machinery and Equipment
  • Product Name: CNC Lathe
  • Function: Used for machining metal workpieces such as cutting, drilling, and tapping. It has a CNC programming function to achieve high - precision automated processing.
• Example 2: Electronic Products
  • Product Name: Wireless Bluetooth Headset
  • Function: Connects to devices such as mobile phones via Bluetooth to achieve wireless audio transmission. It has functions such as call, music playback, and noise reduction.
• Example 3: Chemical Products
  • Product Name: Polyethylene Granules
  • Function: As a plastic raw material, it is used to produce plastic products and has good chemical corrosion resistance and electrical insulation properties.

Common Problems and Precautions

A. Difference between Function and Use

• Function: Emphasize the specific function or characteristic of the commodity, that is, the commodity"What can be done".
• Purpose: Emphasize the purpose of use of the commodity, that is, the commodity"Used for what".

Example:

• Function: This equipment can automatically detect the size and weight of objects.
• Purpose: Used for quality inspection of products on the production line.

B. Avoid Omissions or Incorrect Filling

• Completeness: Ensure that the "Function" item in the declaration elements is not missing.
• Accuracy: Avoid filling in the function as the commodity name or other information.

C. Pay Attention to Policy Changes

• Regulatory Update: The customs requirements for declaration elements may be updated. Therefore, enterprises should pay timely attention to the latest customs policies to ensure the compliance of declarations.

Summary of Importance

Filling in the "Function" section of the declaration elements may seem simple, but in reality, it has a significant impact on whether goods can clear customs smoothly. Accurately describing the function of the goods helps customs quickly and correctly classify them, avoiding delays caused by incomplete or incorrect information. At the same time, compliance with declaration requirements can effectively prevent legal risks or administrative penalties arising from false or inaccurate declarations. Lastly, accurate declaration information also provides reliable data support for trade statistics and economic analysis.