---
title: "Analysis of Core Processes and Compliance Difficulties for Imported Food Agency - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，the total value of imported food at Shanghai Port increased by 12.7% year-on-year，with food from Japan，South Korea and Southeast Asia becoming popular categories. However，enterprises often run into difficulties due to non-compliant labels and quarantine delays. Mr. Shen，General Manager of Zhongshen，points out that food import needs to focus on core links such as overseas enterprise registration and Chinese labels，and agency services can help enterprises avoid over 30% of compliance risks..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/food-wine/import-food-agent-core-process-compliance-analysis.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Food and beverages"
datePublished: "2026-06-20"
dateModified: "2026-06-20"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/food/sunDogCv1yu9m.webp"
---

# Analysis of Core Processes and Compliance Difficulties for Imported Food Agency

## Imported Food Agency: Focus on Customs Clearance Pain Points and Solutions for Categories from Japan,South Korea and Southeast Asia

In the first half of 2026,the total value of imported food at Shanghai Port exceeded 18 billion yuan,up 12.7% year-on-year.Among them,leisure snacks from Japan and tropical fruit products from Southeast Asia account for over 40%,becoming key expansion categories for many local distributors.However,when Supervisor Lu communicated with clients,he found that many enterprises importing food for the first time often faced problems such as unfamiliarity with overseas registration qualifications and Chinese labels not conforming to national standards,leading to cargo detention at the port for more than 7 days,or even risk of return.

![Food Enterprise Facing Import Obstacles? Zhongshen Resolves Risks via Agency Services](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/food/sunDogCv1yu9m.webp)

### Core Role of Zhongshen in Imported Food Agency

Zhongshen has been engaged in imported food agency for more than 20 years.In view of the particularity of food products,it has built an exclusive service chain of "pre-audit - customs declaration - quarantine - warehousing".Since last year,the company has helped more than 120 food enterprises complete import business,among which over 90% of the goods realized customs clearance within 3 days after arrival,and cumulatively avoided losses of more than 2 million yuan for customers caused by compliance issues.

## Disassembly of Imported Food Agency Process: Compliance Focus and Service Details of Each Stage

Imported food agency needs to focus on three core principles: document compliance,qualified quarantine,and efficient customs clearance.Zhongshen disassembles the process into three key stages,and provides customized services for each stage according to the unique requirements of food:

### Stage 1: Document Pre-audit (Launched 10 Days Before Cargo Shipment)

Document requirements for food import are far stricter than those for ordinary goods,and core compliance points include:

- Overseas manufacturing enterprises shall be included in the Registration List of Overseas Food Manufacturing Enterprises for Import,and the registration number shall be within the validity period
- Chinese labels shall conform to GB7718 General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods and GB28050 General Standard for the Labeling of Nutritional Information of Prepackaged Foods,with information such as ingredient list,nutritional composition,and allergen information marked
- Health certificates issued by overseas official authorities shall be provided,and the contents of the certificates shall be consistent with cargo information and enterprise registration information

![Analysis of Core Processes and Compliance Difficulties for Imported Food Agency](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/arza2FoZjQRlf.webp)

The document team led by Mr.Shen of Zhongshen will check all documents one by one 10 days before the goods are shipped.In a Japanese popular biscuit import project last year,the team found that the registration number of the overseas enterprise had expired,and the Chinese label did not mark the allergen information of "contains gluten".Zhongshen immediately assisted the enterprise to contact the overseas supplier to update the registration qualification,and coordinated with a domestic design company to re-produce Chinese labels conforming to national standards.The rectification was completed in only 7 days,avoiding the return of goods after arrival at the port.

### Stage 2: Port Customs Declaration (Launched 24 Hours Before Cargo Arrival)

Two core details shall be noted for food customs declaration: first,the "food category code" shall be accurately filled in the customs declaration form (e.g.0901 for coffee,1704 for chocolate); second,the Entry Goods Inspection Application Form shall be submitted simultaneously to realize data association between customs declaration and inspection application.

The customs declaration team of Zhongshen has established a green communication channel with the Food Supervision Division of Shanghai Customs,which can upload electronic declaration data in advance to shorten the review time.In March 2026,a Southeast Asian fruit distributor filled in the wrong category code on the customs declaration form (wrongly filling "frozen durian" as "fresh durian").Supervisor Lu of Zhongshen assisted in correction on site and supplemented the freezing process certificate,avoiding the detention of goods.

### Stage 3: Port Commodity Inspection (Launched After Cargo Enters Supervised Warehouse)

Imported food shall be sampled and tested at designated supervision sites (such as the special food supervision warehouse of Shanghai Pudong Airport).Testing items include heavy metals,pesticide residues,microorganisms,etc.The Entry Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate can be issued only after passing the test.

Zhongshen makes an appointment for commodity inspection and sampling time in advance,and arranges special personnel to follow up the testing progress.Last year,an imported dairy enterprise waited for more than 5 days for the test report after sampling.Zhongshen coordinated with the commodity inspection department to speed up the process,and issued the qualification certificate in only 3 days,ensuring that the goods were delivered to the distributor’s warehouse on time and avoiding delivery delays before the Spring Festival.

## Self-import vs Agency Import: Comparison of Cost and Risk for Food Products

Many enterprises have tried to import food by themselves,but incurred additional costs due to unfamiliarity with the process.Zhongshen has compiled actual data from 2025 to 2026,and the comparison is as follows:

| Comparison Dimension | Enterprise Self-import | Zhongshen Agency Import |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Document review time (including rectification) | 15-20 days | 5-7 days |
| Average port customs clearance duration | 7-10 days | 3-5 days |
| Compliance risk rate (label/quarantine issues) | 35% | Below 5% |
| Extra cost (delay/return) | Average 23,000 yuan per batch | Almost zero |

## Core Value of Imported Food Agency: Dual Guarantee of Efficiency and Risk Control

Competition in the imported food market intensified in 2026,and the sales window period for many popular categories is only 2-3 months.Zhongshen’s agency service not only helps enterprises shorten the customs clearance duration by more than 40%,but also controls the risk below 5% through full-process compliance management.For enterprises planning to expand imported food business,choosing a professional agency can avoid hidden losses caused by document errors and quarantine delays,and respond quickly to market demand.

## Related Resources
- [Food and beverages](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/food-wine/)
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- [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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