Struggling with Complicated Food Import Procedures? Professional Agency's Full Process Breakdown and Response Strategies

Current Situation and Inherent Challenges of Food Imports

As we enter 2026,domestic consumer demand for imported food is trending toward both diversification and quality improvement.The import volume of dairy products,snack foods,high-end grain and oil,fresh fruits and various prepackaged foods maintains steady growth.However,agricultural and food standards in source countries differ from those in China,the formats of sanitary certificates and certificates of origin issued by various countries are inconsistent,and there are variables such as temperature control and packaging during sea transportation,making food import one of the most professional and risk-dense areas in foreign trade.Many first-time importers often encounter obstacles during the document preparation stage,or face the risk of return due to lack of knowledge about the quarantine access list for specific products.

Core Role of Professional Agencies in Food Imports

Facing these challenges,an experienced foreign trade agency’s role goes far beyond just submitting customs declarations.With over 20 years of service,Zhongshen positions itself as a compliance pre-consultant and process integration executor for importing enterprises.We do not intervene only after problems arise; instead,we participate in evaluating product access and planning optimal logistics and clearance plans before the contract is signed,ensuring the smoothness and controllability of the entire chain.This in-depth intervention model can systematically reduce enterprises’ potential losses in terms of time,funds and reputation.

Detailed Step-by-Step Breakdown of Food Import Customs Declaration Agency Services

Food import clearance is not a single action,but a precise process with interlocking links.The following is a core step breakdown based on the current regulatory framework.

Phase 1: Access Assessment and Document Pre-Audit

This is the cornerstone that determines whether an import project can be launched.Manager Du from Zhongshen emphasized that many risks can be avoided at this stage.

• Product Access Confirmation: First,it is necessary to verify whether the food is included in the General Administration of Customs’ updated "Directory of Food Exported to China from Countries/Regions Meeting Evaluation and Review Requirements and with Traditional Trade".For example,specific varieties of fruits newly added to a certain country by the end of 2025 require their orchards and packaging factories to be registered and filed in China.
• Foreign Shipper Record Audit: Verify whether the foreign production enterprise has completed registration with China’s customs,which is a necessary condition for inspection declaration.
• Document Pre-Audit and Standardization: We will pre-audit the certificate of origin,sanitary certificate,test report,composition analysis form,foreign language labels and other documents provided by foreign parties.Once for a batch of imported honey,the format of the foreign party’s sanitary certificate had minor differences from domestic requirements,and our document team discovered this in advance and guided the foreign party to reissue it,avoiding delays in port declaration.

Phase 2: Port Declaration and Collaborative Inspection

After the goods arrive at the port,they enter the actual customs clearance stage.Food faces strict national gate inspection at this link.

• Integrated Customs Declaration and Inspection Declaration: Since the integration of supervision,enterprises need to submit customs declaration and inspection information through the single window at one time.Zhongshen’s system will automatically associate the regulatory document codes required for declaration based on the product’s HS code,such as the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" (for fruits,meat,etc.).
• Responding to Customs Inspection and Sampling Testing: The inspection rate for food is relatively high.Inspection instructions may require verifying whether the goods and documents match,whether the packaging is intact,whether there are pests and diseases,etc.Our on-site personnel will accompany customs officers during inspection and efficiently complete the cooperation work for sampling and sending for testing.For foods that require laboratory testing,we will inform customers of the approximate testing cycle in advance to manage their expectations.
• Chinese Label Audit and Rectification: Prepackaged foods must be affixed with Chinese labels that comply with national standards such as GB7718 before import.We provide label pre-audit services to ensure that information such as nutrition facts,ingredients,storage conditions and other information is accurate.For goods arriving at the port without labels,we can coordinate to enter the customs-supervised label rectification warehouse for labeling.

Phase 3: Conformity Assessment and Follow-Up Management

Customs clearance is not the end,especially for first-time imports or high-risk foods.

• Obtaining Quarantine Inspection Certificate: After passing quarantine inspection,the customs will issue the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods",which is an important certificate for food to be sold on the market.We will assist customers in obtaining this certificate in a timely manner.
• Import Record and Traceability Management: According to the Food Safety Law,importers need to establish import and sales records to achieve traceability.We can provide customers with record templates and management system recommendations that comply with regulations.

Actual Case: On-Site Disposal to Avoid Risks

Last year,a client entrusted us with importing a batch of quick-frozen durian pulp from Southeast Asia.After the goods arrived at Shanghai Port,customs inspection found tiny water vapor condensation on the inner walls of some packages,and suspected temperature fluctuations during transportation.The client was very anxious,worried that the entire batch of goods would be judged unqualified.Our on-site colleagues immediately retrieved the full transportation temperature records of the container,and the data showed that the temperature was always within the range required by the contract.At the same time,we coordinated with an independent third-party inspection agency to conduct on-site rapid testing of the suspected batch and take samples to the laboratory.With complete temperature monitoring evidence and active communication and cooperation,the customs agreed to our explanation,and the goods were released smoothly after the laboratory test results were qualified.This case shows that a professional agency not only familiar with the process,but also has the resources and response capabilities to deal with emergencies.

Professional Value: Efficiency Improvement and Risk Closure

The value of food import customs declaration agency services is ultimately reflected in certainty.Zhongshen brings two core values to enterprises by integrating scattered and professional links into a clear and controllable process: first,efficiency improvement,through pre-audit and standardized operations,reducing the time spent in each link and accelerating the turnover of funds and goods; second,risk closure,establishing a full-process compliance monitoring and response mechanism from the access source to market sales,minimizing potential legal and business risks.Today,with increasingly refined regulations and rising consumer awareness of rights,this professional escort has changed from an "optional option" to a "must-have" for food import enterprises.