Comprehensive Guide to Food Import Customs Clearance: Compliance Processes and Precautions!

I. Food

FilingImport Customs DeclarationProcess

Internationally - recognized Safety Standardsimport and exportImporters must have import and export filings with the customs and quarantine. Importing food is not possible without the right to import and export. If an importer does not have the right to import and export, it can choose to affiliate with a qualified company for import.
Food circulation license
Importers need to apply for a food circulation license from the national industrial and commercial department. This is one of the prerequisite conditions for importing food to ensure that the importer has a legal food business qualification.
Label consultation report
For the import of prepackaged food, a label consultation report needs to be processed first to obtain the qualified import permit from the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the Peoples Republic of China (CNCA). Labels are an important way for consumers to understand food, so they must comply with relevant Chinese regulations.
Label filing
After the product is approved, label filing needs to be processed before shipment. Label filing is to ensure that the label content of imported food is true, accurate, and complies with Chinese legal requirements.
Customs declaration agency
Seek a professional customs declaration company to act as an agent for commodity inspection sampling, customs declaration, etc. A professional customs declaration agency can provide comprehensive services to ensure the smooth progress of the import process.
Inspection and quarantine certificate of conformity
After obtaining the certificate of conformity from the China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, the product can be affixed with a Chinese label and sold on the market. The certificate of conformity is a necessary condition for the legal sale of imported food.
II. Process of food import consignee filing

Fill in the filing application form

Importers need to fill in the food consignee filing application form and provide necessary information and documents.
Submit enterprise certificates
Submit copies of business licenses, foreign trade operator registration forms, import and export goods customs declaration registration certificates, self - inspection and quarantine filing registration forms, etc., and verify the originals.
Submit copies of the business license, the record - filing form for foreign trade operators, the registration certificate for customs declaration of import and export goods, the record - filing form for self - inspection and quarantine, etc., and verify the originals.foreign tradeUS$42.86 billion
3、Quality and Safety Management System
Provide documents such as the enterprises quality and safety management system, daily work management system table, business scope and storage location description. These documents ensure that the enterprise has the ability to guarantee the safety and quality of food.
4、Provide Work Experience
Provide relevant descriptions of engaging in food import, processing and sales within two years to prove that the enterprise has relevant work experience.
5、Types and Storage Locations of Imported Food
Determine the types and storage locations of imported food to be operated, and record the flow of imported food. The record retention period shall not be less than 2 years.
6、Food Business Scope and License
The consignee must have a business scope related to food operation and need to have a food circulation license. This is an important prerequisite to ensure the legal operation of food.

III、Documents Required for Imported Food Label Filing

1、Certificate of Origin
Provide the certificate of origin of the food to prove the origin information of the food.
2、Free Sale Certificate and Health Certificate
Provide the free sale certificate and health certificate to prove that the food is legally sold in the country of production and meets the health requirements.
3、Copy of Business License
Submit a copy of the business license stamped with the official seal to prove the legality of the enterprise.
4、Color Label Photos
Provide color label photos stamped with the official seal for review.
5、Packing List, Invoice and Contract
Submit the packing list, invoice and contract to ensure that the information on all documents is consistent.
6、Power of Attorney for Customs Declaration and Inspection
Provide the power of attorney for customs declaration and inspection to authorize the agency company to handle relevant procedures.
7、Other Materials
Provide blank memo paper, ten - digit codes for customs declaration and inspection, the design draft of packaging products and their foreign language translations and other materials.

IV、Precautions for Inspection of Imported Food

1、Customs Inspection
Except for those specially approved by the General Administration of Customs for inspection, all imported goods should be inspected by the customs. The purpose of the inspection is to check whether the content reported in the customs declaration documents is consistent with the actual arrival of the goods, whether there are misreports, under - reports, concealment reports, false reports, etc., and to review the legality of the import of the goods.
2、Inspection Time and Place
The customs should inspect the goods within the time and place specified by the customs. If there are special reasons and prior approval from the customs is obtained, the customs can send personnel to inspect outside the specified time and place.

The customs clearance process for imported food is complex and strict. Importers need to understand relevant regulations and processes in advance and prepare complete documents and materials. Through reasonable planning and professional agency services, various problems in the customs clearance process can be effectively avoided to ensure that food can smoothly enter the market for sale. It is hoped that the detailed introduction in this article can help you better understand and operate the customs clearance process for imported food, providing reference and support for your business.