"Release First, Tax Later" is a facilitation measure in customs clearance where, upon import, customs releases the goods first and the enterprise pays the duties within a specified period afterward. This term is commonly used for enterprises with good credit standing (such as AEO Advanced Certified Enterprises) or in specific free trade zones and bonded port areas, to improve logistics efficiency and reduce port detention costs. Use cases include: urgent orders, perishable goods, and production-critical materials. Notes: Enterprises must provide a guarantee to customs (deposit or bank guarantee) and must pay taxes within the statutory period (usually by the 5th of the following month or as prescribed by customs), otherwise late fees will be incurred and credit rating affected. Compared with "Tax First, Release Later," which requires duties to be settled before release and ties up funds longer; and different from "Aggregate Taxation," which collects taxes monthly in summary, "Release First, Tax Later" emphasizes the time gap between release and tax payment for individual shipments. Foreign trade practitioners should ensure compliant use to avoid legal risks from overdue payment.
📝 Examples
1. As an AEO Advanced Certified Enterprise, our company applied for "Release First, Tax Later" for this batch of imported chips. The goods were picked up from the port the same day, and the duties were automatically deducted through the aggregate taxation account by the 5th of the following month. (Note: Demonstrates an AEO enterprise using this model to accelerate pickup and pay taxes on time.)
2. Since this batch of seafood is perishable, customs approved "Release First, Tax Later." We picked up the goods with a bank guarantee and put them on the market first, completing tax payment within a week, avoiding losses from spoilage. (Note: Demonstrates special goods using this model to reduce losses, and emphasizes guarantee and payment deadline.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner