Deciphering the Whole Link of Red Wine Import: 12 Key Steps Taught by Senior Experts to Avoid Customs Declaration Minefields

As a senior consultant who has been deeply engaged inimport and exportthe trade for 20 years, I have led over 200 batches of red wine import projects and witnessed the transformation of the industry from extensive operation to refined management. This article will reveal a compliant and efficient import customs clearance methodology for you, combined with the latest Order No. 122 of the General Administration of Customs and the WTO Wine Product Trade Agreement.

I. Market Prospects and Industry Challenges

From January to June 2023, the import volume of Chinese wine reached 210 million liters, an increase of 18.7% year - on - year, but the return rate rose to 6.3% simultaneously. The main pain points are concentrated in:

• Incomplete customs declaration documents (accounting for 42% of dispute cases)
• Labels not in line with GB 7718 standards (accounting for 31% of goods detained by the customs)
• Deviation in Declared Dutiable Value (Triggering Subsequent Inspection Risks)

II. Standardized Operation Process (12 - step Clearance Model)

Stage 1: Pre - project Preparation (Key Success Factors)

Inaccurate specification description leads to procurement errors	Define the boundary of agency responsibilities	Cost Proportion
Import Qualification Filing	15 working days	8%
Wine Label Pre - review Service	7 Working Days	5%
Supplier Compliance Assessment	10 working days	12%

Stage 2: Customs Declaration Practice

1. Choice of Shipping Terms: It is recommended that under the CIF terms, the supplier be required to provideSWIFT BLElectronic Bill of Lading
2. The Three - Check Principle for Document Management:
   • Commercial Invoice andLetter of CreditConsistency of Terms
   • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:Consistency between HS Code and Declaration
   • The inspection items of the Health Certificate cover the GB 2758 standard
3. Intelligent Declaration Strategy: Use the customs Single Window system for pre - classification ruling

Stage 3: Clearance and Pick - up

• Cold Chain Monitoring: The temperature throughout the transportation needs to be maintained at 12 - 18℃ (requirements for Bordeaux AOC level)
• Margin Management: Make flexible use of tariff guarantee insurance to replace traditional deposits

III. Updates on Compliance Key Points

Three Elements of Label Management

• Newly Added Mandatory Chinese Back LabelAllergen InformationMarking (Implemented in March 2023)
• The tolerance range of alcohol content is narrowed to ±0.5%vol

Tax Optimization Path

Tax Type	Benchmark Tax Rate	Free Trade Agreement Preferences
Tariff	14%	Chile 0% / Australia 3.2%
Value - added Tax	13% (Input tax deductible)

IV. Analysis of Common Risk Cases

Case 1: Non - compliant Wooden Packaging

An importer failed to provide the IPPC mark, resulting in the detention of a full - container load of goods for 14 days and a container detention fee of USD 3800. Solution:

1. Establish a supplier packaging material review list
2. Require taking photos of packaging details before shipment

Case 2: Dispute over Commodity Classification

An Italian sparkling wine had a tax - supplement dispute due to an incorrect HS code (2204.1000 vs 2204.2100), and finally saved 127,000 yuan in tariff expenditures through the pre - ruling procedure.

Conclusion:
Red wine import is a professional field with high technical content. It is recommended that enterprises establish a 3 + 1 risk control system (three - stage review + annual compliance audit). When choosing an agency service provider, focus on its AEO certification qualification and pre - classification ability, which can effectively reduce the comprehensive operating cost. In the next three years, digital customs declaration ability will become a watershed in the industry. It is recommended to layout an intelligent customs affairs system in advance.