Full Analysis of Seasoning Export Agency Customs Declaration Process

1.Pre-departure Preparation Stage for Seasoning Export Agency Customs Declaration

In the first half of 2026,a seasoning company in Shanghai had its self-declared chili powder detained at the port for over 72 hours due to missing documents,resulting in a penalty of over RMB 20,000 for the order.As food commodities,seasoning exports need to meet both customs supervision and importing country quarantine requirements.Adequate pre-departure preparation directly determines the efficiency of subsequent procedures.Zhongshen’s over 20 years of practical experience shows that sorting out requirements and qualifications in advance is the first step to avoid risks.

1.1 Customer Demand Coordination and Qualification Audit

Objective: Confirm cooperation intention and eliminate basic qualification risks; Key Actions: ① Collect the customer’s business license,seasoning production license,and export qualification certificate; ② Clarify the export destination,product category (powder/liquid/sauce),order quantity and delivery date; ③ Check the special requirements of the importing country (such as EU REACH certification,Japanese JAS standards); Common Issues: Customers fail to apply for the importing country’s food quarantine certificate in advance,resulting in mismatched documents.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: Manager Ling will proactively provide the 2026 Import Country Seasoning Quarantine Requirements List.For high-frequency requirements such as South Korea MFDS certification and US FDA registration,we will remind customers to handle them 10 working days in advance.Since 2026,we have helped 32 enterprises avoid process delays caused by missing qualifications.

1.2 Product Information Sorting and Customs Declaration Element Confirmation

Objective: Ensure that product information is 100% consistent with customs declaration requirements; Key Actions: ① Check the HS code (such as compound seasonings under item 2103,chili powder under item 0904); ② Confirm the ingredient list and allergen information (nuts/dairy products need to be marked compulsorily); ③ Measure the packaging size and weight to match the transportation method (sea/air freight); Common Issues: Incorrect HS code classification leads to a tariff rate deviation of over 10%.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: Supervisor Rao arranges special personnel to check the latest version of the Harmonized System of Nomenclature and Coding,which has been updated to the 2027 version transition clauses in 2026.At the same time,we compare the tariff preferential policies of importing countries,saving customers over 15% of tariff costs on average every year.

2.Document Preparation and Electronic Declaration Stage

Documents are the core voucher for customs declaration.As seasonings involve food quarantine,the types of documents are more than 3 categories more than ordinary commodities.Zhongshen’s statistics show that 62% of the seasoning customs declaration returns at Shanghai Port in the first half of 2026 were due to inconsistent document information.Below is the core document list and service content:

2.1 Electronic Declaration and On-site Document Submission

Key Actions: ① Submit electronic declaration through China International Trade Single Window; ② Submit paper documents and pre-test samples when submitting documents on site; ③ Track the customs document review progress; Common Issues: Deviation between electronic declaration and paper document information leads to customs return of documents.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: We have established a dual-review system for document review.Mr.Pan is responsible for electronic entry,and Mr.Lai is responsible for paper document verification.In the first half of 2026,the return rate was only 0.8%,far lower than the industry average of 1.5%.

3.Customs Inspection and Release Stage

Seasonings are key inspection commodities for customs.In 2026,the inspection rate at Shanghai Port reached 18%,higher than the 12% rate for ordinary commodities.There are three main types of inspections:

• Manual inspection: Check whether the actual product situation is consistent with the documents
• Machine inspection: Check the integrity of cargo packaging through X-ray machines
• Sampling inspection: Test indicators such as pesticide residues and microorganisms

3.1 Inspection Response and Problem Handling

Key Actions: ① Prepare samples and third-party test reports in advance; ② Cooperate with customs to open packages for inspection and reinforce damaged packaging in time; ③ Handle unqualified test results (such as adjusting formulas or replacing batches); Common Issues: Unqualified sampling inspection leads to cargo return.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: We provide pre-test services for high-risk sauces and powdered seasonings.Since 2026,the pre-test unqualified rate has been controlled within 2%,avoiding unqualified formal inspections.In April 2026,a chili powder enterprise in Jiangsu had its goods sampled by customs.The third-party report provided in advance by Supervisor Rao helped complete the review quickly,and the goods were released within 24 hours.

3.2 Tariff Payment and Release

Key Actions: ① Confirm the tariff amount and assist in payment (support tariff payment on behalf of customers); ② Track the release status and obtain the Goods Entry Clearance Certificate; Common Issues: Late tariff payment leads to storage fees due to cargo detention at the port.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: We provide tariff estimation services,giving accurate amounts 3 working days before declaration.The online payment on behalf of customers takes an average of 1.2 hours.Since 2026,we have helped customers avoid over RMB 80,000 in port detention fees.

4.Logistics Connection and Follow-up Service Stage

After release,it is necessary to quickly connect with logistics to avoid cargo backlog at the port.At the same time,foreign exchange receipt and payment and export tax refund are the core follow-up links that enterprises pay attention to.

4.1 Logistics Connection and Track Tracking

Key Actions: ① Coordinate with freight forwarders to book space (sea/air freight); ② Track cargo transportation track and synchronize abnormal situations; ③ Handle bill of lading confirmation and bill of exchange procedures; Common Issues: Difficulty in booking space during peak seasons leads to delayed delivery dates.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: We have established preferred booking channels with 12 shipping companies at Shanghai Port and Yangshan Port.During the 2026 peak season (July-August),the booking time for seasoning cargo averaged 3 days,5 days faster than the industry average.

4.2 Foreign Exchange and Tax Refund Services

Key Actions: ① Assist in handling foreign exchange receipt and payment to avoid exchange rate risks; ② Organize tax refund documents (customs declaration forms,VAT invoices,etc.); ③ Submit tax refund applications and track the arrival progress; Common Issues: Incomplete tax refund documents lead to delayed tax refunds.

Zhongshen’s role in this link: We establish a tax refund document list to inform customers in advance.In 2026,the average time for customers to receive tax refunds was 18 working days,5 working days faster than the industry average.

5.Summary of Zhongshen’s Core Service Value

The seasoning export agency customs declaration process involves 8 core links including qualification audit,document preparation,inspection and release,etc.Any deviation may lead to delays or increased costs.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for over 20 years,familiar with the 2026 latest customs policies and importing country quarantine standards,and creates value for customers through the following measures:

• Dual-review system: Reduce document error rate to below 0.8%
• Pre-test service: Control the unqualified rate of high-risk products within 2%
• Preferred booking channel: Shorten delivery time by 3-5 days during peak seasons
• Fast tax refund service: Arrival time is 5 working days faster than the industry average

As of the first half of 2026,Zhongshen has provided agency services to more than 300 seasoning enterprises,with a customer satisfaction rate of 98%.If you have seasoning export needs,please consult Zhongshen’s professional team,and we will provide a full-process,one-stop solution.