Is the import food customs declaration process too complicated? 90% of people can't avoid these 5 pitfalls

"Mr. Zhang recently represented a batch of French red wine, but was required to supplement 5 proof materials during customs declaration." "Ms. Li's Japanese snacks were detained by the customs for 3 weeks due to unqualified labels."... These scenes are common in the imported food industry. With consumption upgrading, more and more merchants are getting involved in the imported food trade, but more than 68% of novices will step into pitfalls in the customs declaration process. This article will use the most straightforward language to break down the key points of the whole process of agency import food customs declaration.

According to the 2023 customs data, the unqualified declaration rate of imported food is as high as 12.7%, mainly concentrated in these three "invisible minefields":

• Inconsistent ingredient labeling (such as additives allowed in the EU but not filed in China)
• Missing quarantine certificates (dairy products require official health certificates)
• Non - standard Chinese labels (the font height of net content is less than 4mm)

The case database of Zhongshitong shows that the customs declaration pass rate of entrusting a professional agency is 3.2 times higher than self - declaration, especially for new product categories imported for the first time. The agency can pre - review foreign test reports in advance to avoid the passive situation of "finding problems only when the goods arrive at the port".

1. Qualification preparation stage

It is necessary to handle the record - filing of the importer of imported food in advance (about 5 working days). For special categories such as infant milk powder, an import license for special dietary foods is also required. When representing Japanese functional foods once, Zhongshitong found that the client had not filed the category of "nutrient supplements", and promptly adjusted the declaration strategy to avoid return of goods.

2. Document verification stage

• The certificate of origin and health certificate need to be authenticated by the embassy or consulate
• The ingredient test report should include the items limited by Chinese national standards
• The foreign - language label needs to be stamped by a professional translation company

According to the latest regulations on the registration management of overseas production enterprises of imported food:

• Starting from July 2024, 18 types of food will be newly added that require overseas factory registration
• Products such as bird's nests and honey will implement two - dimensional code traceability management
• Cold - chain foods must submit the whole - process temperature control records

Merchants who are negotiating import business are advised to be sure to check whether the supplier is on the registration list of the General Administration of Customs, and can entrust an agency to verify it in advance through the GACC system.

1. Tariff planning: Utilize the preferential tariff rates of agreements such as ASEAN and RCEP. In a case of Thai coconut water, 9.2% of taxes and fees were saved through the optimization of the rules of origin.

2. Logistics coordination: Advance declaration can reduce the port detention fee by 2 - 3 days. During peak seasons, it is recommended to choose non - core ports for customs clearance.

3. Label pre - review: Provide the design draft to the agency for pre - review, which can save 2000 yuan per time compared with modification after arrival at the port.

You may use this self - assessment form to evaluate risks:

• □ Do you know the latest HS code classification rules?
• □ Does the test report provided by the supplier cover the items of national standards?
• □ Has the Chinese label been pre - reviewed by a professional institution?

If there are more than 2 uncertainties, it is recommended to immediately contact a professional agency for compliance diagnosis. The blue - ocean market of imported food always exists, but only with the escort of professional customs declaration can business opportunities truly be transformed into profits.