FoodImport agentThe Five Key Links
Food imports are different from ordinary commodities and involve food safety.Inspection of vaccinesand multiple regulations. Based on our 20 - year practical experience, to successfully complete a food import order, the following links need to be focused on:
1. Qualification review
- Importer Qualifications: Food Circulation PermitImported foodrecorded
- Exporter Qualifications: Certificate of Origin, Health Certificate
- Product Qualifications: Component Test Report, Label Filing
2. customs clearanceData Preparation
| Document Type | Types of Qualifications | Common Questions |
|---|---|---|
| commercial invoice | HS Code, unit price, and total price need to be indicated. | The amount does not match the contract. |
| Packing List | Net weight, gross weight, and packaging method need to be indicated. | Wrong weight unit. |
| Health certificate | It needs to be certified by the official agency of the exporting country. | The certificate has expired or the content is incomplete. |
Selection of Logistics Solutions
Select an appropriate transportation method according to the product characteristics:
- Frozen food: It is recommended to choose a refrigerated container (Reefer Container).
- Dry food: An ordinary container is sufficient.
- High - value food: It is recommended to purchase all - risks insurance.
Control of Customs Clearance Process
The typical customs clearance process is as follows:
- Declaration upon arrival at the port
- Inspection of vaccines
- Pay taxes
- Release for taking delivery
Follow - up Management
- Establish a traceability system for imported food
- Regularly update the filing information
- Retain relevant documents for at least 5 years
Five Criteria for Selecting Professional Agent Companies
A high - quality foodImport agentThe company should meet the following conditions:
Professional Qualifications
- Customs AEO Advanced Certification
- Qualification for food import filing
- Qualification for inspection and quarantine filing
Industry Experience
- At least 5 years of food import operation experience
- Be familiar with the customs clearance requirements for major food categories
- Have experience in successfully handling complex cases
Service Capability
- Provide one - stop services (customs declaration, logistics, warehousing)
- Be able to handle emergencies
- Respond to customer needs in a timely manner
Compliance Awareness
- Strictly abide by customs regulations
- Regularly conduct compliance training
- Establish a complete internal risk control system
Price Transparency
- Provide a detailed quotation sheet
- No hidden charges
- Standardized expense settlement
Common Risks and Preventive Measures
Import agency services typically include the following core...
Main reasons:
- Incomplete documents
- Unqualified labels
- Unqualified inspection and quarantine
Preventive Measures:
- Prepare complete documents in advance
- Make Chinese labels as required
- Send samples for testing in advance
Cargo Loss
Main reasons:
- Temperature out of control during transportation
- Package damage
- Sub - standard warehousing conditions
Preventive Measures:
- Choose reliable logistics providers
- Use packaging that meets the standards
- Full - process temperature monitoring
Compliance Risks
Main reasons:
- The product does not meet the national standards
- Failure to file as required
- False label information
Preventive Measures:
- Understand the product access requirements in advance
- Complete the filing as required
- Ensure that the label information is true and accurate
Interpretation of New Regulations for Food Import in 2024
According to the latest policy, there are the following changes in food imports in 2024:
- For 5 newly - added types of food, a third - party test report is required
- The requirements for Chinese labels of imported food are more stringent
- The import tariffs of some foods are adjusted
- Strengthen the traceability management of imported food
Conclusion: Food import is a highly professional task. Choosing a professional agency can achieve twice the result with half the effort. It is recommended that when choosing a partner, importers should not only consider price factors, but also pay more attention to service quality and professional capabilities to ensure that the import business is carried out in a compliant and efficient manner.
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