---
title: "Analysis of US Nuts Import Customs Declaration Agent Process and Compliance Key Points - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，the domestic nut market sees steady growth in demand for imported US nuts. However，the quarantine and documentary compliance requirements for US nuts import are complex，and many enterprises suffer from customs clearance delays due to unfamiliarity with the process. Director Xu of Zhongshen pointed out that key documents such as FDA certification and plant quarantine certificate should be focused on for US nuts import，and agency services can control risks throughout the entire process fro..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/customs-declaration-knowledge/us-nuts-import-customs-clearance-agent-process-compliance.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Customs Declaration Basics"
datePublished: "2026-05-23"
dateModified: "2026-05-23"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/7CC0xqlJHuWIz.webp"
---

# Analysis of US Nuts Import Customs Declaration Agent Process and Compliance Key Points

## Market Background and Common Pain Points of US Nuts Import

In 2026,the domestic nut consumption market continues to heat up.As one of the world’s largest nut exporters,the United States sees its products such as California almonds,macadamia nuts and pecans imported in about 12% higher volume than 2025,thanks to their stable taste and mature supply chain.However,many trading enterprises run into difficulties when trying to import due to unfamiliarity with the compliance requirements of both China and the US: some face invalid documents because the US supplier’s FDA qualification has expired; some have their goods detained at the port for failing to apply for an entry quarantine permit in advance; and some pay more than 30% extra tariffs due to incorrect HS code classification.Last year,a Shanghai-based food trading company imported 15 tons of US macadamia nuts,which was detained for 14 days due to the plant quarantine certificate missing the "fumigation temperature record",resulting in direct losses exceeding 80,000 CNY.

![US Nuts Import Easy to Fall into Pitfalls? Zhongshen Agency Helps Avoid Risks](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/7CC0xqlJHuWIz.webp)

## Core Role of Zhongshen in Import Agency Services

Zhongshen has been engaged in foreign trade agency services for over 20 years.In view of the characteristics of US nuts import,it has established a service system of "pre-emptive risk investigation + full-process node control".All core team members have more than 10 years of experience in food import agency,and can accurately match the latest 2026 compliance requirements of China and the US.From supplier communication,document pre-check to port customs clearance,they help enterprises avoid more than 90% of common risks.

## Breakdown of Core Processes for US Nuts Import Customs Declaration

### 1.Document Pre-check Stage: Avoid Qualification Defects

US nuts import must meet the dual document requirements of the US export side and China’s import side.In 2026,new requirements such as "verification of the validity of the supplier’s FDA food contact material certification" and "marking of fumigation records on plant quarantine certificates" have been added.The key assistance provided by Zhongshen at this stage includes:

- Verify the validity of the US supplier’s FDA registration number,confirm whether it is within the valid period and covers the nut category;
- Check the core information of the USDA plant quarantine certificate: whether it includes a statement of "no specific pests (such as walnut weevil,almond brown rot)",and whether the fumigation temperature (≥56) and time (≥30 minutes) are clearly marked;
- Assist enterprises in applying for the entry animal and plant quarantine permit (varieties such as macadamia nuts and pecans need to apply 30 days in advance),and ensure that the permit is consistent with the goods’ variety and origin.

Case: In November 2025,a Hangzhou-based e-commerce company planned to import US California almonds.Manager Hou of Zhongshen found during the pre-check that the FDA registration number provided by the supplier would expire in January 2026,and immediately reminded the company to apply for an extension in advance,avoiding the situation where the goods could not be declared upon arrival due to expired qualification.

![How to Efficiently Declare US Nuts Import? Core Value of Agency Services](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/7cUGtwnrBdeKD.webp)

### 2.Port Customs Declaration Stage: Accurate Control of Tariffs and Declaration Details

Tariff rates for US nuts vary greatly by variety.In the 2026 latest tariff schedule,the MFN tariff rate for California almonds is 10%,macadamia nuts 8%,and pecans 12%; if no certificate of origin is provided,the general tariff rate (25%-35%) will be applied.The core actions of Zhongshen during the customs declaration stage include:

- Accurately classify HS codes: for example,almonds are classified under 0802100000,macadamia nuts under 0802510000,to avoid paying extra tariffs due to incorrect coding;
- Declare quickly through the Customs "Single Window",synchronize the declaration status in real time,and respond to customs inspection notices within 1 hour;
- Provide tariff guarantee services for high-value nuts to ease the capital pressure of enterprises.

### 3.Commodity Inspection Stage: Focus on Pest and Quality Index Control

In 2026,China’s customs has upgraded the commodity inspection requirements for US nuts,adding a mandatory test of "aflatoxin B1 ≤ 10μg/kg" (15μg/kg in 2025),and focusing on testing heavy metals (lead,cadmium) and pesticide residues (such as cypermethrin).The assistance provided by Zhongshen includes:

- Confirm the sampling ratio (usually 1%-3%) with the port commodity inspection agency in advance,and guide enterprises to collect representative samples from different containers and batches;
- If there is a slight over-standard in the test,assist enterprises in providing production records and third-party test reports from US suppliers to apply for re-inspection.The re-inspection pass rate has reached 85% in the past two years;
- Track the commodity inspection progress to ensure that the goods are inspected and released within 72 hours.

| Nut Variety | HS Code | 2026 MFN Tariff Rate | Core Compliance Documents | Mandatory Test Items |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| California Almonds | 0802100000 | 10% | FDA Registration,USDA Plant Quarantine Certificate,Certificate of Origin | Aflatoxin B1,Lead,Cadmium,Pesticide Residues |
| Macadamia Nuts | 0802510000 | 8% | FDA Registration,USDA Plant Quarantine Certificate,Entry Quarantine Permit | Aflatoxin B1,Moisture Content,Heavy Metals,Pesticide Residues |
| Pecans | 0802520000 | 12% | FDA Registration,USDA Plant Quarantine Certificate,Certificate of Origin | Aflatoxin B1,Fatty Acid Value,Heavy Metals,Pesticide Residues |

### Case: Practical Risk Avoidance for US Pecans Import

In March 2026,a Shanghai-based food company planned to import 10 tons of US pecans for sales during the 618 E-commerce Festival.This company imported US nuts for the first time and was unfamiliar with the compliance requirements.Mr.Xue from Zhongshen found two key issues during the communication:

- The FDA registration number of the US supplier will expire in April,and the goods cannot be declared upon arrival in April due to expired qualification;
- The plant quarantine certificate does not include the statement of "no walnut weevil",which is a key pest monitored by China’s customs.

Mr.Xue immediately coordinated: on one hand,he reminded the supplier to apply for FDA registration extension in advance; on the other hand,he requested to supplement the relevant statement.At the same time,he applied for the entry quarantine permit 15 days in advance and completed all document pre-checks.Finally,the batch of goods was cleared in only 3 days,5 days earlier than the company’s expectation,ensuring the supply for the e-commerce festival.

## Core Value of Zhongshen Agency Services

The documents,quarantine and tariff links involved in US nuts import are complex.Enterprises operating on their own have an average customs clearance time of 7-10 days,and the document pass rate is only about 75%.With more than 20 years of experience,Zhongshen can achieve:

- Customs clearance efficiency improved by 40%: average customs clearance time shortened to 3-5 days;
- Compliance risk reduced by 95%: the document pass rate of US nuts import business agency in the past 3 years has reached 99.5%,with no goods detained or returned;
- Cost saved by 5%-8%: help enterprises reduce unnecessary costs through accurate tariff planning and HS code classification.

For enterprises planning to import US nuts,choosing a professional agency can not only avoid risks,but also quickly bring high-quality products to the domestic market and seize consumer opportunities.

## Related Resources
- [Customs Declaration Basics](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/customs-declaration-knowledge/)
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- [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/)
- [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/)
- [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/)
- [Trade Q&A Hub](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/)

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