Who Provides HS Codes and Customs Documents for ZQ Shipments?
Who Provides HS Codes and Customs Documents for ZQ Shipments?
Short answer: The workflow is different for Dropship and Bulk Ship. ZQ directly prepares the declaration for ordinary Dropship parcels using the selected small-parcel route. For Bulk Ship, the customer maintains each product's customs name or category, declared value and HS code in the ZQ system. The system then uses the maintained product data and final packing data to generate the three main customs-document files labelled CI, PI and CL.
Service scope reviewed September 23, 2026. Customs treatment still depends on the selected route, product and destination.
Who is responsible at each stage?
| Shipment stage | Customer | ZQ customer service and system | Selected logistics partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropship parcel | Provide accurate product and order information; tell ZQ before booking if a special route is required | Confirm the route and logistics partner, prepare the small-parcel declaration and use a tax-included route by default where available | Carry the parcel and complete the route-specific declaration and clearance process |
| Bulk Ship product setup | Maintain the product's customs name or category, declared value in USD and HS code | Store the product data and carry it into the Bulk Ship customs documents | Not yet applicable until the route is selected |
| Bulk Ship packing and booking | Review the maintained product data and the documents generated for the actual packed shipment | Confirm the logistics partner and route; use final carton and product data to generate downloadable CI, PI and CL files | Use the approved shipment data and documents for route-specific filing and clearance |
| Certificate of origin | Request it when the shipment or customer requires one | Arrange it as a separate paid document | Use it with the shipment where required |
ZQ is not a customs broker and does not automatically become the Importer of Record for a Bulk Ship order. The customer should not leave an invented HS code or placeholder value in the product record and expect the logistics partner to reconstruct the product after packing.
How does declaration work for Dropship orders?
ZQ directly prepares the declaration data for ordinary Dropship products. Most ZQ small-parcel services use a tax-included route by default. A few destinations may not have the same arrangement. If a customer wants a special service such as a commercial courier route on which the recipient pays import tax, the customer must tell ZQ before the route is confirmed.
A tax-included route describes how the selected logistics service handles duties and taxes. It does not make every product eligible for every country or remove product-compliance restrictions. ZQ's customer service team confirms the applicable logistics partner and route for the parcel.
What must a Bulk Ship customer maintain?
Before building the international shipment, maintain these fields for every Bulk Ship product:
- Customs name or category. Use a clear product description that matches the actual goods.
- HS code. Enter the classification used for that product and shipment plan.
- Declared value in USD. The value must be maintained before document generation.
The product screen keeps these entries under Customs Info. Because the data belongs to the product record, it can be carried into later Bulk Ship packing and customs documents. If the material, function, product configuration or declared value changes, review the saved customs information instead of assuming an old record remains suitable.
Which customs documents does the ZQ system generate?
After the Bulk Ship goods are packed, the Packing & Customs stage provides Preview Customs Documents and Download actions. The system can generate the three main document files labelled CI, PI and CL from the maintained product declaration data and the final shipment information. Review the generated quantities, product descriptions, declared values, carton data and destination before using the files.
A certificate of origin is not included automatically in those three system-generated files. ZQ can arrange a certificate of origin for US$20 per certificate when requested. Ask for it before dispatch so it can be prepared for the applicable shipment.
Is quality inspection included in customs-document preparation?
No. Quality inspection and customs documentation are connected to the same product and shipment, but they are different services. Warehouse receiving checks whether expected goods appear to have arrived. A paid or separately agreed inspection checks the product against a defined scope. Customs documents describe the goods and shipment for the selected route. Completing one step does not prove that the others are complete.
For Dropship orders, the published Basic and Advanced QC options are selected per SKU in the purchase order. Bulk Ship inspection scope and pricing should be agreed for the actual batch; do not automatically apply the Dropship Checkout QC price to Bulk Ship. See the ZQ quality-control guide and the multi-supplier QC risk checklist.
What should be checked before the Bulk Ship documents are downloaded?
- Each packed SKU has a maintained customs name or category, HS code and declared value.
- The generated product quantities match what is actually packed.
- Carton count, weight and dimensions match the final sealed cartons.
- The delivery destination and route shown in the order are correct.
- ZQ customer service has confirmed the logistics partner and tax or clearance arrangement.
- Any required certificate of origin has been requested separately.
For the full receiving, packing and booking sequence, read ZQ's China consolidation workflow.