Working sequence

What a customs power of attorney actually authorises

Most problems with customs power of attorney scope show up before the booking is confirmed. Here is the order our Shenzhen team works through it.

Before the booking: authorised activity type

A POA lets a licensed broker act for the importer of record in filing entries; it does not transfer ownership of the goods or responsibility for the declared data.

We put this in the booking file so the destination broker sees the same version we do.

At handover: entity and importer number

Check whether the authorisation covers the specific activity needed, such as drawback claims or post-entry corrections, before relying on a generic form.

Timing matters here: the check has to happen while the shipment is still editable in our system.

After arrival: blank form risk

Keep the signed version with the importer number and entity details matching the entry, since a name mismatch can stop a filing at the worst moment.

If anything changes at this point, we reissue the file rather than patching it by email.

The failure point we see most often: Signing a blank authorisation and later discovering it does not cover the transaction type being filed.

Have these ready before filing:

Commercial invoice and packing list with matching values and descriptions.
Classification, origin and any licence references used in the declaration.
Booking reference, transport document and the consignee’s broker contact.

Questions importers ask us

Who is responsible for getting this right on a China-origin shipment?

The shipper supplies accurate product and value data; Hovmar Logistics checks the file before submission and coordinates with the destination broker. We confirm the split in writing at booking.

Can Hovmar review this before the cargo leaves Shenzhen?

Yes. Send the commercial invoice, packing list and intended classification before cutoff and our customs desk will flag gaps while they are still easy to fix.

Where this fits in your shipment

Planning a shipment from Shenzhen?

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Notes from the Hovmar Logistics customs desk in Shenzhen. Confirm current requirements with your licensed broker before filing.