A Guide to Bonded Warehouses: Types, Functions, & Application
Category: Trade GuidesDate: Obligations of the Seller under FASSource: Zhong Shen (Shanghai)
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A bonded warehouse refers to a warehouse that is established within a specific area with the permission of the customs and can store imported goods or other goods that require customs supervision. These goods do not need to pay customs duties and import - linked taxes before being formally imported.
Explore bonded warehouses: understand their types, key functions, and detailed application conditions. Optimize your supply chain and streamline import/export operations with this essential guide.
I. Types and Characteristics of Bonded Warehouses
Dedicated Bonded Warehouse: Specifically used to store goods with specific uses or special types, including liquid bonded warehouses, material - preparation bonded warehouses, consignment - repair bonded warehouses, and other dedicated bonded warehouses. These warehouses can be public - use or self - use.
Liquid Bonded Warehouse: Specifically used to store bonded goods such as petroleum, refined oil, or other bulk liquids.
Material - preparation Bonded Warehouse: Specifically used to store the raw materials, equipment, and their components imported by processing trade enterprises for the processing and re - export of products.
Consignment - repair Bonded Warehouse: Specifically used to store the consigned spare parts imported for the repair of foreign products.
II. Functions of Bonded Warehouses
Bonded Warehousing: After goods enter the bonded warehouse, they can be temporarily exempted from import duties and import - linked taxes, relieving the one - time tax - paying pressure on enterprises and increasing trade flexibility.
Simple Circulation - related Processing: Goods in the bonded warehouse can be transferred between special customs - supervised areas and bonded logistics centers, helping enterprises establish distribution and delivery centers.
Distribution and Delivery: Enterprises can utilize bonded warehouses for international entrepot trade. After imported goods enter the bonded warehouse, they can be re - exported to neighboring countries or regions at an opportune time.
III. Conditions for Applying for a Bonded Warehouse
Conditions that an operating enterprise should meet: including obtaining the business entity qualification and having business premises specifically for storing bonded goods.
Conditions that a warehouse should meet: It should meet the layout requirements of the customs, and be equipped with facilities and management systems that meet the supervision requirements of the customs, etc.
Materials to be submitted by an enterprise applying for the establishment of a bonded warehouse: including the Application for Bonded Warehouse, the location map and floor plan of the proposed bonded warehouse, etc.
IV. Application Process
1. Enterprise Application Submission: Enterprises may apply online via the "Internet + Customs" portal under "Administrative Approvals" – "Approval for the Establishment of Bonded Warehouses" on the General Administration of Customs website.
Acceptance by the competent customs: Check the completeness and validity of the application materials. If the materials are incomplete or do not conform to the legal form, the competent customs shall notify the applicant of all the contents that need to be supplemented and corrected at one time within 5 working days.
Preliminary review by the competent customs and approval by the direct customs: The preliminary review opinions and approval results shall be completed within 20 working days from the date of accepting the application respectively.
Enterprise application for acceptance inspection: It shall be completed within 1 year from the date when the customs issues the approval document. If the enterprise fails to apply for acceptance inspection without justifiable reasons beyond the time limit or the bonded warehouse fails the acceptance inspection, the approval document shall automatically become invalid.?
The customs reviews and issues the Registration Certificate of Bonded Warehouse: Only the bonded warehouse that has obtained the registration certificate can carry out relevant business.