Full Explanation of Food Import Customs Clearance Process | 2026 Latest Industry Guideline

In 2026,as China’s core food import port,Shanghai handles imported food with a total value of over RMB 3 billion per month.However,many enterprises suffer from cargo delays,returns or even fines due to unfamiliarity with the customs clearance process and delayed awareness of regulatory updates.Food import customs clearance is a key node in the foreign trade chain connecting overseas suppliers and the domestic market,involving multiple requirements such as safety supervision,tariff calculation,and compliance review.Any error will directly affect the capital turnover and market supply of enterprises.Next,we will systematically sort out the core processes of food import customs clearance based on Zhongshen’s 20 years of industry experience.

I.Preparations: Confirm Access Eligibility + Prepare Complete Documents to Avoid Subsequent Obstacles

Objective: Confirm whether the goods meet China’s access requirements,prepare all required documents,and eliminate the situation of "goods arriving but cannot be cleared"

Key actions shall be carried out in accordance with the following steps:

• Check the HS Code of the imported food to confirm whether it is included in the 2026 latest *Imported Food Access List* (some niche fruits and dairy products are newly added to the access list in 2026)
• Confirm that the domestic consignee has complete qualifications: Food Business License,Import and Export Operation Right,and Registration Certificate of Customs Consignor and Consignee
• Prepare samples of Chinese labels,which shall comply with the 2026 revised *General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods* (focus on the latest format requirements for labeling allergens and nutrition facts tables)
• If quarantine approval is required (such as for meat,frozen aquatic products,and infant formula food),submit the application 30 days in advance

Common Issues

1.Missing allergen labeling on Chinese labels: The 2026 new regulation requires that 8 categories of allergens such as peanuts and nuts must be clearly labeled on all prepackaged foods,and goods without such labeling will be directly detained for rectification; 2.Unaware of access list updates: Blueberries from a certain country were newly added to the access list in March 2026,and some enterprises still declared according to the old list,resulting in return of goods.

Role of Zhongshen

Mr.Chen’s team updates the 2026 access list on a weekly basis to help customers accurately check HS Codes; provides Chinese label review services,and gives rectification suggestions within 30 minutes; assists in handling quarantine approval,with the approval time 35% shorter than the industry average (the industry average is 15 days,while Zhongshen can complete it within 10 days).

II.Pre-Arrival: Quarantine Declaration + Document Pre-Review to Shorten Customs Clearance Cycle

Objective: Complete quarantine declaration before the goods arrive at the port,to avoid delays caused by "waiting for approval" after arrival

Key Actions:

• Submit the quarantine declaration form 3-5 days before the goods arrive at the port (with overseas health certificate,certificate of origin,and transport packaging certificate attached)
• Confirm whether the wooden packaging has the IPPC fumigation mark (the fumigation exemption policy for wooden packaging from some countries was canceled in 2026)
• For prepackaged foods,a nutrition component test report issued by a third-party authoritative authority is required (in 2026,the testing institution is required to have CNAS accreditation)

Common Issues

1.Expired health certificate: The validity period of health certificates from some countries has been shortened from 12 months to 6 months,and the 2026 new regulation requires that the certificate must be within the validity period at the time of declaration; 2.No fumigation mark on wooden packaging: This will lead to detention of goods,which need to be re-fumigated at the port,resulting in extra costs and delays.

Role of Zhongshen

Mr.Gu’s team pre-reviews all quarantine documents 7 days in advance to ensure that the format and validity period meet the requirements; coordinates with the quarantine department of Shanghai Port to give priority to declaration (Zhongshen is a Class A agency enterprise at the port,enjoying priority access); if there is any problem with the documents,a rectification plan will be given within 1 hour to avoid delay of arrival time.

III.Post-Arrival: Customs Declaration & Inspection + Tariff Calculation for Efficient Clearance

Objective: Complete customs declaration and inspection within 3 days to reduce storage costs (storage fee at Shanghai Port is RMB 50-80 per ton per day)

Key Actions:

• Submit the customs declaration form (including invoice,packing list,contract,bill of lading,and quarantine release note)
• Calculate tariffs and value-added tax: Some foods enjoy free trade agreement tariff rates in 2026 (for example,after the update of the China-EU Free Trade Agreement,the tariff rate for red wine has been reduced from 15% to 10%)
• Cooperate with inspection: If selected for inspection,1-3 samples are required (the inspection rate was adjusted to 15% in 2026,5% lower than that in 2025)

Common Issues

1.Incorrect tariff rate calculation: Failure to apply for the free trade agreement tariff rate leads to overpayment of more than 10%; 2.Inconsistent inspection samples: The actual goods specifications are inconsistent with the declaration,leading to detention of goods.

Role of Zhongshen

Mr.Mou’s team accurately calculates tariffs and helps customers apply for free trade agreement tariff rates,saving an average of RMB 2,000 per shipment; as a Class A agency,its inspection rate is 20% lower than that of ordinary enterprises (the industry average is 15%,while Zhongshen’s is only 12%); if selected for inspection,the team will accompany the whole process and complete the inspection within 1 day (the industry average is 2-3 days).

IV.Post-Release: Compliant Goods Pickup + Follow-Up Procedures to Avoid Subsequent Risks

Objective: Pick up goods in compliance with regulations,and complete all procedures before domestic sales

Key Actions:

• Pick up the goods with the customs release note,and check that the quantity and quality of the goods are consistent with the declaration
• Chinese labels shall be pasted on prepackaged foods before domestic sales (this can be completed in the supervised warehouse)
• Complete foreign exchange receipt and payment: Foreign exchange settlement can be handled by Zhongshen as agent in 2026,and the foreign exchange settlement speed is 2 days faster than that of banks

Common Issues

1.Selling without Chinese labels: Will be punished by the market supervision department (fine of RMB 5,000 to 50,000); 2.Delayed foreign exchange settlement: Affects the capital turnover of enterprises.

Role of Zhongshen

Provides Chinese label pasting service in the supervised warehouse (meeting customs requirements); assists in foreign exchange receipt and payment,with foreign exchange settlement received on the same day; reminds of import VAT deduction procedures (which can offset the enterprise’s input tax).

Self-Customs Clearance vs Zhongshen Agency Clearance: Comparison of Core Differences

Food import customs clearance seems to have complicated processes,but each link has room for optimization.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for 20 years,is familiar with the latest 2026 regulations and port policies,and can help customers avoid risks and improve efficiency in each link.Whether it is the import of niche food or the clearance of bulk goods,Mr.Chen’s team can provide customized solutions,allowing enterprises to focus on business expansion without worrying about customs clearance details.If you have needs for food import customs clearance,you can contact Zhongshen to get an exclusive service plan.