Guangzhou Imported Food Customs Declaration Agency Process and Compliance Key Points Sorting

Guangzhou Imported Food Customs Declaration: Compliance Pain Points and Solutions from Southeast Asian Sourcing to Port Release

In 2026,the value of imported food at Guangzhou Nansha Port increased by 18% year-on-year,of which Southeast Asian tropical fruit products and Australian dairy products account for more than 60%.However,many trading companies often get into trouble due to inconsistent documents and delayed update of quarantine requirements during operation.Last year,a Guangzhou trading company imported frozen durian pulp from Malaysia,which was delayed at the port for 3 days due to failure to confirm the validity of the electronic signature of the certificate of origin in advance,resulting in 20% of the goods deteriorating and losses exceeding 120,000 yuan.Such problems are not isolated cases.The compliance threshold for imported food continues to rise with policy updates,and it is difficult for enterprises to accurately control it by relying solely on their own teams.

Zhongshen’s Core Value in Guangzhou Imported Food Customs Declaration

Zhongshen,which has been deeply engaged in foreign trade agency for more than 20 years,focuses on the whole-process service of imported food in Guangzhou.Its core role is reflected in three dimensions: "policy prediction + document pre-audit + port docking": it can follow up the *List of Registered Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food* updated by the General Administration of Customs in 2026 as soon as possible,and help customers verify supplier qualifications in advance; complete document pre-audit before the goods arrive at the port to avoid detention due to document problems after arrival; connect with the commodity inspection departments of Nansha and Huangpu ports to shorten the sampling and inspection cycle.

Disassembly of Guangzhou Imported Food Customs Declaration Process: Compliance Requirements at Each Stage and Zhongshen’s Assistance Plan

I.Document Pre-audit Stage: Avoid "Source Risks" in Advance

The document requirements for imported food are stricter than those for ordinary goods.Two new key requirements were added in 2026: First,the registration number of overseas manufacturing enterprises must match the list of the General Administration of Customs in real time.Second,the health certificate must include a clear statement that "the use of additives complies with the latest version of China’s GB 2760-2025".Manager Hou of Zhongshen will complete the following core operations before the customer signs the procurement contract:

• Check the supplier’s *Registration Certificate of Overseas Manufacturing Enterprises for Imported Food* to confirm that it is included in the list updated by the General Administration of Customs in 2026;
• Audit the validity of the electronic signature of the health certificate (all certificates are required to be verified through the "China International Trade Single Window" in 2026);
• Compare the ingredient analysis report with China’s GB2760 standard to check for excessive or prohibited additives;

Case: In March 2026,a customer planned to import a French brand of truffle chocolate.During the pre-audit,Manager Hou found that the "vanillin" content indicated on its health certificate exceeded the limit of 0.5g/kg in China’s national standard,and immediately advised the customer to replace the supplier,avoiding the loss of subsequent return of goods after arrival at the port.

II.Port Customs Declaration Stage: Efficiently Connect with Customs and Commodity Inspection

Imported food at Guangzhou Port needs to complete both customs declaration and commodity inspection declaration.The core requirements in 2026 include:

• Chinese labels must comply with GB7718-2025,and the new requirement that "the nutrient composition table must indicate the daily reference intake (NRV%)" is added;
• For food imported from Europe,a radioactivity monitoring report of the place of origin is required (required to cover the test data of the past 3 months in 2026);
• Pre-packaged food needs to upload product packaging photos on the "Single Window" to complete the label pre-audit in advance.

Zhongshen’s operation process: 3 days before the goods arrive at the port,submit the electronic template of the Chinese label through the "Single Window" and connect with the customs pre-audit post of Nansha Port; after the goods arrive at the port,immediately submit the customs declaration form and commodity inspection declaration materials,and arrange a special person to follow up the sampling and inspection.In 2025,a customer imported Australian full-fat milk powder.Zhongshen adjusted the NRV% marking on the Chinese label in advance,and the customs declaration was completed 1 day after the goods arrived at the port,which was 2 days shorter than the average cycle of peers.

III.Commodity Inspection and Release Stage: Control the "Last Mile"

Commodity inspection and release is a key link for imported food.The core requirements in 2026 are:

• The preliminary inspection of sampling shall be completed within 48 hours,and pathogenic bacteria such as "Enterobacter sakazakii" shall be detected for dairy products;
• The remaining shelf life of imported food shall be ≥ 1/3 of the original shelf life,and for dairy products,it shall be ≥ 1/2;
• Frozen and refrigerated food shall be stored in a cold chain warehouse registered with the customs.

Zhongshen’s assistance plan: Connect with the registered cold chain warehouse in Nansha Free Trade Zone in advance to confirm the storage space and temperature control (for example,frozen durian requires -18℃,and refrigerated yogurt requires 2-8℃); after the preliminary inspection of commodity inspection is qualified,immediately arrange the goods to be put into the warehouse,and follow up the issuance of the *Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Inbound Goods*.In May 2026,a customer imported frozen durian puree from Thailand.Zhongshen coordinated the exclusive cold chain storage space of the warehouse in advance,and the goods were directly put into the warehouse after arrival at the port,avoiding deterioration caused by temperature fluctuations.

2026 Common Risks and Response Solutions for Guangzhou Imported Food Customs Declaration

Summary: Professional Agency Makes Guangzhou Imported Food More Efficient and Compliant

The core pain points of Guangzhou imported food customs declaration lie in "fast policy changes,detailed document requirements,and multiple quarantine links",which are difficult for enterprises to accurately control by relying solely on their own teams.With 20 years of industry accumulation,Zhongshen can predict policy updates in advance,pre-audit document risks,and connect with port resources,helping customers shorten the customs declaration cycle by more than 30% and avoid losses from return and deterioration caused by compliance issues.Since 2025,Zhongshen has assisted more than 300 food trading companies in Guangzhou to complete import customs declaration,of which 95% of the goods are released within 3 days after arrival at the port.