Must-read for cross-border sellers! 9610 nationwide return bonus breakdown, a guide for cross-border sellers to reduce costs and increase efficiency
Created on 04.17
With the continuous expansion of cross-border e-commerce scale, the return rate has become a key variable affecting sellers' profits.
Industry data shows that the average return rate for cross-border e-commerce is between 5%-15%, with popular categories like apparel, shoes, and hats reaching as high as 20%-30%. "Difficult returns, high costs, and long cycles" have become common operational pain points in the industry.
Image source: Online media
In the past, overseas returns had to be sent back along the original route to the original export port. High inter-provincial logistics and warehousing costs, coupled with the need to repeatedly pay import taxes and fees for returns, led many sellers to abandon goods and cut losses when the return cost exceeded the value of the goods.
At the same time, the lengthy return cycle tied up a large amount of capital, and the cumbersome procedures and ambiguous compliance boundaries further squeezed sellers' already thin profit margins.
Therefore, establishing an efficient and low-cost return channel has become a key measure to improve the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem and enhance sellers' global competitiveness.
Now, this predicament is being broken. On April 1, 2026, Announcement No. 24 of 2026 from the General Administration of Customs was officially implemented, fully launching the cross-customs zone return mode for cross-border e-commerce retail export goods – "National Unified Returns"!
What does the implementation of this policy mean for cross-border sellers?
And what changes will it bring to the entire industry?
PART.01
In-depth policy interpretation:
Understand "National Unified Returns", avoid pitfalls, save more money
01. Where is the "National Unified Returns" unified?
Simply put - returns no longer take a "detour".
The core breakthrough of the new policy is to completely break the regional restrictions on returns – for 9610 cross-border retail export goods returns, there is no need to "return to where it came from". Any compliant port in the country can handle it, and there is no need to return to the original export customs.
This breakthrough makes the return path more flexible, the time-efficiency faster, and the cost more controllable, fundamentally solving the pain points of the traditional return model.
Source: Online Media
02. 3 core breakthroughs, directly addressing industry pain points
The core advantages of "National Unified Returns" are concentrated in the three dimensions of cost, efficiency, and compliance. Each of these can effectively reduce the burden on enterprises, improve efficiency, and avoid pitfalls:
- Cost reduction:
Saves inter-provincial transit and long-term warehousing fees; exempts import duties, import value-added tax, and consumption tax. Export duties already paid can be applied for refund.
- Improve efficiency:
Return cycle shortened from 20-45 days to 10-15 days, improving capital turnover efficiency by 3 times.
- Strengthen compliance:
Standardized procedures, traceable data, avoiding risks of non-compliance penalties.
Image source: Online media
The differences before and after the policy are as follows:
Comparison dimension | Traditional mode (return along original route) | New policy mode (National Unified Returns) | Annual savings (estimated) |
Return path | Must return to the original export customs, rigid path | Any compliant port nationwide, choose the nearest | Small and medium-sized sellers approximately 80,000-120,000, fast fashion sellers approximately 150,000-200,000 |
Return cycle | Average 20-45 days, time-consuming, capital-intensive | Average 10-15 days, time reduced by over 50% | Save warehousing/port congestion fees of approximately 30,000-60,000 RMB/year |
Comprehensive cost | Transshipment, warehousing, and port congestion fees combined | Eliminate cross-provincial transshipment fees, shorten warehousing cycles; exempt import duties, value-added tax, consumption tax, and refund paid export duties | If 100 orders are returned monthly, annual savings of approximately 12,000 RMB in logistics fees, plus tax benefits, result in higher actual savings. |
Compliance risk | Cumbersome process, prone to penalties due to operational errors | Standardized process, traceable data, low risk | Avoid penalty losses of 20,000-50,000 RMB (more significant for compliant enterprises) |
Simply put, previously, returns were 'taking a detour according to the rules,' now it's 'taking a shortcut based on needs.' Every step can save sellers time and cost, which is also the key reason why the new policy is well-received by cross-border sellers.
03. Practical Steps
After understanding the policy advantages and differences, it is more important to master the standardized practical operation process:
- Prepare materials: return application, original export customs declaration form, order information, logistics vouchers, proof of original condition of goods (goods are not damaged or modified); if export tax rebates have been processed, provide "Proof of Tax Paid/Not Yet Reimbursed for Export Goods";
- Submit application: Submit the return application through the "China International Trade Single Window" or the cross-border e-commerce customs clearance platform, and independently choose the optimal customs supervision operation location;
Image source: Online media
- Customs clearance and release: After the application is approved, transport the goods to the selected supervision location, cooperate with customs inspection, and complete the return procedures after confirming compliance with "original condition return" requirements. The entire process is traceable;
- Goods disposal: After passing inspection, the goods can be relisted, repaired, or compliantly destroyed, maximizing the value of the goods.
04. Pitfall Avoidance Guide: 3 High-Frequency Misconceptions
Misconception 1:
All cross-border returns can be returned
Analysis: Only the 9610 cross-border e-commerce retail export model is applicable, and enterprises must be registered in a cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zone, and the products must be within the scope of the positive list.
Misconception 2:
There are no restrictions on returns
Analysis: Goods must be returned in their original condition within 6 months from the date of export, and do not include food categories.
Misconception 3:
Any warehouse can receive returns
Analysis: Returned goods can only be sent to compliant customs supervision operation locations; at the same time, enterprises must have independent operation functional areas, and their own systems must be connected with the customs information system to achieve "traceable origin, traceable destination" for returned goods.
PART.02
Practical Dry Goods:
Different enterprises, the most efficient way to seize the dividends
The "nationwide return" policy is not a one-size-fits-all universal benefit. Different types of cross-border enterprises face different operational pain points and core needs, and enjoy policy dividends in varying ways.
Image source: Online media
01. Benefits for 3 types of enterprises, with precise operational recommendations
Enterprise Type | Benefits | Operational Recommendations |
9610 Small Sellers (Core Beneficiaries) | High costs, tight cash flow. New policy directly reduces costs by about 60%-75%, alleviating financial pressure. | Prioritize calculating return shipping costs and confirm fees with freight forwarders. No need to build own warehouses; choosing compliant collection services is more cost-effective. |
Fast Fashion, Seasonal Product Sellers | Rapid product iteration, slow return times lead to unsalable goods. New policy shortens the cycle by 60%, reducing losses. | Cross-layout return receiving points in South China/East China. Quickly relist returned items to seize market opportunities. |
Compliant Enterprises (including AEO certification) | Cumbersome processes, AEO advantages not fully utilized. New policy simplifies review, significantly reduces inspection rates. | Utilize AEO green channels, optimize system integration, improve customs clearance efficiency, retain high-end customers. |
02. Proactive implementation, quickly realize policy dividends
This policy officially took effect on April 1, 2026. It is worth noting that related tax incentives are valid until December 31, 2027. Sellers are advised to plan return processes in advance and implement them proactively to quickly realize policy dividends.
1. Self-inspection and planning in advance: Review past return data and costs, combine with your own return situation, set up nearby return points, and plan optimal logistics routes in advance.
2. Ensure tax exemption benefits: Verify if you meet the key conditions for "nationwide returns." You can consult freight forwarders about the 9610 cross-customs zone return process and fees, and select partners who understand the policy and can provide compliant return services.
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3. Improve internal systems: Complete preparation for docking with customs informatization systems in advance, confirm that the return warehouse meets filing requirements, realize traceability of returned goods, and avoid compliance risks.
Source: Online Media
PART.03
In-depth accounting:
Data speaks, actual test of dividends for different sellers
The value of policies should ultimately be reflected in actual benefits. How much money can the new policy save and how much efficiency can it improve? Combined with the 3 types of enterprises that benefit from the previous text, use data to directly calculate:
Seller type | Before policy | After policy | Annual estimated savings/increase |
9610 small and medium sellers | 8,000 yuan per return shipment, monthly cost 128,000 yuan, cycle 45 days, unsalable loss rate about 15%. | 2,500 yuan per return shipment, monthly cost 40,000 yuan, cycle 15 days, unsalable loss rate about 3%. | Save 1.06 million yuan annually, cash turnover increased by 3 times. |
Fast Fashion, Seasonal Product Sellers | Monthly sales of 3 million USD, return cycle 45 days, replenishment 15 days. | Monthly sales of about 7.2 million USD, return cycle 15 days, replenishment 7 days, relisting rate 85%. | Monthly sales increased by about 140%, unsalable losses significantly reduced. |
Compliant Enterprises | 3,000 yuan per customs clearance, inspection rate 20%. | 2,100 yuan per customs clearance, inspection rate 4%. | Cost reduced by about 30%, profit increased by about 40%, customer retention rate increased by about 50% |
PART.04
Seize policy dividends and empower cross-border breakthroughs
"National Unified Returns" is not an ordinary welfare, but a systematic policy dividend launched by the joint efforts of 24 departments. It has been piloted and verified by 20 directly affiliated customs, with high maturity and strong implementability.
In today's increasingly fierce competition in the cross-border e-commerce industry, whoever can quickly understand and implement policies will seize the development opportunity and widen the gap with peers.
Source: Online Media
Understanding policies is the foundation, and implementation is the key. Whether it is calculating exclusive dividends, docking with compliant freight forwarders, or planning return logistics, or avoiding operational pitfalls, many sellers may face problems of insufficient professionalism and limited energy.
At this time, professional service support becomes particularly important, which can help everyone avoid compliance detours and quickly realize policy dividends.
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As a professional cross-border integrated logistics company, we have been deeply involved in the cross-border logistics field for over 20 years. We are familiar with the return processes of various ports nationwide, enabling us to accurately match you with the optimal return path, control logistics costs, and customize exclusive return solutions based on your enterprise type. This allows you to save worry, money, and time, and quickly seize the benefits of new policies.
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