---
title: "Full Disassembly of Import Customs Brokerage Process: 5 Key Stages from Document Pre-audit to Release - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "The import regulatory environment continues to tighten in 2026，and enterprises conducting self-declaration face multiple challenges including access qualification，document compliance，inspection sampling and more. Taking New Zealand infant formula as an example，this article systematically disassembles 5 core stages of import customs brokerage，from document pre-audit to post-release supervision，to reveal hidden risk points and cost composition. Based on 20 years of practical experience，Zhongshen h..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/documentary-knowledge/import-customs-clearance-process-documentation-to-release.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Basics of Trade Documentation"
datePublished: "2026-06-12"
dateModified: "2026-06-12"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/eH0CUtenzeuJ3.webp"
---

# Full Disassembly of Import Customs Brokerage Process: 5 Key Stages from Document Pre-audit to Release

## Import Background and Operational Difficulties of New Zealand Infant Formula

In the first quarter of 2026,the value of dairy products imported by China from New Zealand increased by 23% year-on-year,among which infant formula accounted for 31% of the total,up from the previous period.As a major entry port,Shanghai Port handles about 40 batches of New Zealand milk powder declaration business every month.Such products are subject to multiple access thresholds including national food safety standards,registration of overseas manufacturing enterprises,formula registration and others.When importing for the first time,many enterprises often face high detention charges due to cargo detention at the port caused by Chinese label samples not complying with the General Rules for Prepackaged Foods GB 7718,or failure to provide the original health certificate issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand.What is more complicated is that there are slight differences in sampling ratios and testing items among different ports,so enterprises that conduct self-declaration tend to underestimate the overall cycle.

![2026 Import Customs Brokerage Service List: 5 Stages and 20 Specific Operations](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/eH0CUtenzeuJ3.webp)

Zhongshen plays the role of overall process controller in this chain.We coordinate with five parties,namely the customer’s procurement department,overseas suppliers,shipping companies,port customs and local market supervision authority.Our core work is not simply document submission,but identifying compliance risk points in each link in advance,turning post-event remediation into pre-event prevention.For example,the implementation rules of the Administrative Provisions on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food updated by the General Administration of Customs at the end of 2025 require provision of production batch traceability codes and factory audit video clips,which many customers only learned about at the time of customs declaration.

## Stage 1: Document Pre-audit and Access Qualification Confirmation

Document pre-audit is the most critical step to avoid return risks.After receiving the customer’s procurement contract,Zhongshen will launch a three-level review mechanism.The first level is access qualification verification: confirm whether the New Zealand manufacturer is included in the Registration List of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food published by the General Administration of Customs of China,and whether the registration number covers the category of infant formula.In February 2026,we found that an Auckland factory failed to renew its expired registration information,and promptly called off the shipment of a batch of goods worth 120,000 US dollars.

The second level is document completeness review.Five core documents are required for the import of New Zealand milk powder: certificate of origin,health certificate,component analysis report,Chinese label sample and formula registration certificate.The health certificate must be signed by an official of the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand and affixed with a wax seal,and the electronic scanned copy must be completely consistent with the original.The component analysis report shall specify the values of protein,fat and carbohydrates corresponding to every 100 kJ of energy,rounded to two decimal places.The third level is label compliance review.Chinese labels must be filed with the local market supervision authority in advance,and there are strict regulations on the order of nutrition facts table,font height,and content of warning statements.Zhongshen’s label review team will compare word by word to ensure that no minor errors such as "importer’s address not marked to the specific street and house number" occur.

## Stage 2: International Transportation and Pre-arrival Preparation

The sea freight cycle from Auckland Port,New Zealand to Yangshan Port,Shanghai is about 18 days.Zhongshen launches the pre-arrival preparation process immediately after the goods are loaded on board.First,we apply for electronic manifest data from the shipping company,and check whether the consignor and consignee information on the bill of lading is consistent with the customs declaration documents.In March 2026,a batch of goods had the word "trade" in the consignee’s name written incorrectly by the overseas supplier due to operational errors,we detected it in time and coordinated to revise the bill of lading,avoiding the subsequent mismatch between the customs declaration form and the manifest.

Second,we conduct pre-declaration of cargo information to the port customs in advance,submit key information such as commodity code,estimated cargo value and origin,and obtain pre-classification and pre-valuation opinions.This step can reduce the inspection rate during formal declaration by 60%.At the same time,we reserve the port storage plan dynamically according to the shipping schedule,and lock the reefer container storage space in advance for infant formula that requires cold chain storage.Port operation resources are tight,and failure to reserve in advance may lead to the goods not being able to enter the designated area in time after unloading,with extremely high risk of temperature out of control.

![Full Disassembly of Import Customs Brokerage Process: 5 Key Stages from Document Pre-audit to Release](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/EH0QjlbPdvAGa.webp)

## Stage 3: Port Customs Declaration and Tax Calculation

After the goods arrive at the port,Zhongshen completes the formal customs declaration within 24 hours.The commodity code for infant formula is 1901101000,with a tariff rate of 5% and value-added tax rate of 13%.However,in actual operation,the customs valuation link is the most prone to disputes.Supporting materials are required to prove whether the invoice price of New Zealand suppliers includes freight and insurance premiums,and whether quantity discounts are provided.We once handled a case where the customer signed an annual framework agreement with the supplier,and the unit price decreased step by step with the purchase volume,and the customs required the provision of the entire year’s purchase records to prove the authenticity of the price.

The accuracy of tax calculation directly affects the cash flow of enterprises.Zhongshen’s customs declaration system is connected with the Customs H2018 system to realize automatic tax calculation.However,we will conduct manual recheck,especially when anti-dumping duties and special tariffs are involved.Since 2026,some New Zealand milk powder brands have been included in the special safeguard measures management,and higher tax rates apply to the part exceeding the quota.We help customers monitor the quota usage in real time,and adjust the procurement plan in time before the quota is exhausted.

## Stage 4: Commodity Inspection Sampling and Laboratory Testing

Infant formula is a high-risk food,and 100% on-site inspection is implemented.Zhongshen’s inspection declarants will prepare the Imported Food Qualification Guarantee and Food Safety Commitment Letter in advance,and make an appointment for customs inspection immediately after the goods arrive.The inspection contents include checking whether the goods information is consistent with the declaration,sampling for testing,and checking whether the Chinese label has been affixed.The sampling ratio is usually 1-3 pieces per batch,and the items sent to the laboratory for testing cover 16 indicators including protein,fat,vitamin A/D/E,total bacterial count,coliform bacteria,staphylococcus aureus and others.

The testing cycle is usually 7-10 working days.Zhongshen maintains long-term cooperation with three CNAS-qualified laboratories,so we can arrange testing schedules on a priority basis.In April 2026,a batch of goods was found to have vitamin D content close to the lower limit of the national standard during testing.We immediately launched internal traceability and found that the overseas factory had changed its multivitamin premix supplier.We assisted the customer in negotiating with the supplier and submitted a risk management and control plan to the customs,which finally prevented the entire batch of goods from being judged as unqualified.

## Stage 5: Post-release Supervision and Traceability Management

After obtaining the Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods,the goods can be officially sold.However,Zhongshen’s service does not end here.We will electronically archive the full set of documents including health certificates,test reports and customs declaration forms,and establish batch traceability files.According to the Administrative Provisions on Imported Food Sales Records implemented in 2026,importers are required to keep sales records for no less than six months after the expiration of the product shelf life.Our system can help customers automatically generate sales ledgers that meet the requirements.

In addition,we provide follow-up risk early warning services.For example,when the General Administration of Customs issues a notification of cow diseases in a certain region of New Zealand,we will immediately screen the goods from that region in the customer’s inventory and assess whether active removal from shelves is required.This proactive risk management minimizes the risk of administrative penalties that customers may face.

## Actual Case: Mr.Huo’s Import Experience

Mr.Huo runs a maternal and infant product chain brand,and planned to introduce an organic infant formula from New Zealand at the end of 2025.He initially thought that customs declaration was only about submitting documents,so he contacted a customs broker with the lowest quotation by himself.As a result,after the goods arrived at the port,they were detained by the customs because the Chinese labels were not filed in advance,resulting in detention charges of 120 US dollars per day.What was more troublesome was that the customs broker failed to find that the format of the health certificate provided by the New Zealand supplier had expired,leading to failure in commodity inspection.

When Mr.Huo contacted Zhongshen,the goods had been detained at the port for 11 days.Our team first reviewed all documents again,and found that the source of DHA algae oil in the product formula was not listed in the registration information.We urgently contacted the New Zealand supplier to supplement materials,and submitted a Technical Rectification Plan to the customs,applying to move the goods to the customs supervised warehouse for label rectification.After 14 days of coordination,the goods were finally released.Mr.Huo calculated that although our service fee was 30% higher than that of the other customs broker,it avoided nearly 30,000 US dollars in detention charges and potential return losses.Since then,Mr.Huo has handed over all his import business to us,and 23 batches have been cleared smoothly in the first half of 2026.

## Comparison of Port Operation Requirements

| Port Name | Sampling Ratio | Testing Cycle | Special Requirements | Detention Charge Standard |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shanghai Yangshan Port | 2% | 7-10 days | Cold chain temperature record required | 120 USD/day |
| Guangzhou Nansha Port | 3% | 10-12 days | Labels must be affixed in advance | 95 USD/day |
| Tianjin Xingang Port | 1.5% | 8-11 days | Production batch video required | 110 USD/day |
| Shenzhen Yantian Port | 2.5% | 9-12 days | Suppliers are required to provide GFSI certification | 105 USD/day |

## Summary of Core Service Values

Zhongshen’s import customs brokerage service,in essence,integrates fragmented requirements scattered in customs,commodity inspection,ports and laboratories into a set of executable standard operating procedures.We handle more than 600 batches of food import business every year,and we have accumulated not only operational experience,but also a solution library for abnormal problems.The regulatory trend in 2026 is to reduce pre-approval and strengthen in-process and post-process supervision,which means that enterprises need stronger independent compliance capabilities.Our value lies in enabling customers to achieve the same level of compliance without building a large customs team of their own.

From the cost perspective,agency service fees usually account for 0.8%-1.5% of the cargo value,but can effectively avoid 3%-5% of potential losses.From the efficiency perspective,our average customs clearance cycle is 40% shorter than that of enterprise self-declaration,directly improving the capital turnover speed.From the risk perspective,none of the customers we have served in the past five years has suffered administrative penalties caused by customs declaration errors.This certainty is the core significance of professional agency services.

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