How Deep Are the Waters of Import Food Customs Clearance?

Late at night, you come across a viral chocolate recommended by an overseas blogger, only to be disappointed by the message “This item does not support direct shipping.” The purchasing agent’s quote is 40% higher than the official website, and the customer service simply replies, “High customs clearance costs”… How many tricks are hidden in the customs clearance process for general food imports that ordinary consumers are unaware of? Today, we’ll lift the veil on this mystery.

Mr. Zhang tried importing matcha biscuits from Japan last year, thinking everything would be fine after paying the shipping fee, only to have his goods held by customs for three weeks. He later learned that his shipment got stuck at the Chinese label filing stage: “The ‘best before’ date on the Japanese packaging had to be changed to ‘expiry date,’ and ‘kanten’ in the ingredient list had to be labeled with its scientific name, ‘agar.’ If these details aren’t handled properly, the goods will be returned.”

• First Checkpoint: Access Qualifications: The exporting country must be on the General Administration of Customs’ registration list. For example, certain Southeast Asian fruit gummies are banned due to quarantine risks.
• Second Checkpoint: Document Preparation: Certificates of origin, sanitary certificates, and ingredient test reports are all mandatory. Ms. Li’s German organic oatmeal was destroyed because it lacked the EU organic certification stamp.
• Third Checkpoint: On-Site Inspection: Customs randomly opens boxes for inspection. One importer was flagged for “mismatched documentation” after unclaimed free samples were found in the shipment.

Professional agencies like Zhongshitong can help importers save over 20% in overall costs, thanks to:

• Pre-classification services: Declaring “mixed nuts” as “baked snacks” could result in a 5% tariff difference.
• Risk control systems: Identifying new regulations in advance, such as the sudden requirement in July last year for EU dairy products to undergo radioactive substance testing.
• Emergency channels: Offering expedited inspection services for short-shelf-life goods, saving 14 days of storage fees for a batch of French cheese.

Ms. Wang’s Canadian maple syrup was sampled and tested by customs, only to be deemed non-compliant due to a 0.3% excess sugar content. In reality:

• Differences in national standards: Australian honey’s antibiotic limits are three times looser than China’s.
• Advertising wording traps: Phrases like “boosts immunity” on packaging could classify the product as a health food.
• Cultural taboos: Middle Eastern dates packaged with halal certification cannot be transported alongside other food items.

The next time you see an imported food product advertised as the “lowest price online,” ask: Are customs clearance costs included in the quote? For beginners looking to venture into imports, we recommend starting with pre-packaged foods with a shelf life of over 18 months. Share your customs clearance stories in the comments—your case might be featured in our next article!