7 Must-Know Procedures for Imported Food Agency in 2026

Analysis of Core Links in Imported Food Agency Procedures

As an import agency expert with 20 years of experience at Shanghai Port,I have seen numerous enterprises face cargo detention due to incomplete procedures or process errors.Just last year,Mr.Fu’s case of importing Southeast Asian nuts resulted in 5 days of port detention and over RMB 20,000 in demurrage fees because he failed to verify the GACC registration of the overseas production enterprise in advance.Imported food agency must strictly follow the four-step closed-loop process of "Access Permission - Inspection & Customs Clearance - Label Record-filing - Compliance Release".Below are the latest operational key points for 2026.

I.Verification of Imported Food Access Qualifications

1.GACC Registration of Overseas Production Enterprises (Mandatory Requirement per Decree No.248)

In 2026,Decree No.248 of the General Administration of Customs clearly stipulates that overseas production enterprises of imported food must complete the "Registration of Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Food" in advance; otherwise,the port will not release the cargo.Special attention should be paid to: Different food categories apply to different registration standards.For example,meat products must comply with the "Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Meat Products",and dairy products must comply with the "Measures for the Administration of Formula Registration of Infant Formula Milk Powder Products."

• For alcoholic beverages,verify whether the "Food Production License" corresponds to the "Sanitary Certificate";
• For pre-packaged food,additionally provide the pre-review of the "Sample of Imported Food Label" (must comply with GB 7718-2011);
• In 2026,newly added "irradiated food" must supplement the "Irradiation Processing Technology Description" to avoid inconsistent label markings.

Typical Case: A European chocolate enterprise (from Germany) was rejected by the commodity inspection at Shanghai Port due to failing to update the 2026 new label template,causing a 3-day delay in customs clearance.Finally,it was released after we urgently coordinated to activate the old label record-filing.

2.Practical Key Points for Chinese Label Record-filing

Chinese label is a core risk point in imported food agency,which requires completing the three steps of "Label Design - Sample Review - Application for Record-filing Number" in advance: The label content must include: product name,ingredient list (must indicate the Chinese name and functional category of food additives),net content,country of origin,information of importer/distributor,production date/shelf life,storage conditions.

Common Error: A batch of Japanese imported biscuits was required to be returned for rectification by the commodity inspection at Shanghai Pudong due to failing to label "contains wheat" as an allergen,resulting in a total loss of RMB 45,000 in freight and storage fees.

II.Core Process of Inspection Declaration and Customs Clearance

1.Pre-review of Animal and Plant Quarantine Certificates

Animal and plant-derived food (meat,aquatic products,dairy products) must additionally provide the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Inbound Goods".Note that: Meat products must be accompanied by a "non-epidemic area certificate",and aquatic products must provide a "fishery product inspection and quarantine certificate".In 2026,member states of RCEP (such as Thailand,Australia) can enjoy tariff reductions with the "RCEP Certificate of Origin" (tariffs for some categories are reduced to 0).

• Aquatic products: Verify whether the "fishing license" matches the "processing enterprise record-filing number";
• Fresh fruits: Confirm whether the "Permit for Inbound Animal and Plant Quarantine" is within the valid period;
• Dairy products: Provide the "raw milk test report" to ensure that the total number of colonies complies with the GB 19645-2010 standard.

2.Customs Valuation and Foreign Exchange Settlement

The customs adopts a dual valuation method of "transaction price method" + "transaction price method of identical goods" for food products.A common dispute point is: Whether the "packaging fee" of imported sauces is included in the dutiable price.In 2026,the risk of exchange loss in food imports increases.It is recommended to: Lock in the exchange rate in advance to avoid cost increases caused by RMB depreciation.

Zhongshitong’s Advantage: Relying on 20 years of foreign exchange settlement experience,we can lock in exchange rates through the "forward foreign exchange settlement and sale" tool,saving customers approximately 1.2% in exchange losses in the first quarter of 2026.

III.Risk Warning and Pitfall Avoidance Guide

1.Hidden Cost Traps

Common "hidden expenses" in imported food agency include:

• Demurrage Fees: Food has a short shelf life (e.g.30 days for fresh food),and one day of delay may incur fees equivalent to 5% of the cargo value;
• Document Exchange Fees: For ocean bills of lading,confirm the validity of the "telex release"; otherwise,an additional document exchange fee of RMB 300-800 will be required;
• Label Rectification Fees: A Southeast Asian nut enterprise incurred label rectification fees equivalent to 8% of the cargo value due to failing to label allergens.

2.New Regulatory Requirements in 2026

Starting from March 2026,imported pre-packaged food must additionally provide: Nutrition facts panel (13 core indicators are mandatory),allergen reminders,and production batch traceability codes.Enterprises must verify in advance:

• Whether the importer has a "Food Business License" (with business scope covering "import of pre-packaged food");
• Whether the Chinese label record-filing uses the latest version of the "Food Label Record-filing System" (the 2026 version adds a "blockchain traceability" module);
• Whether the tariff rate has changed due to "anti-dumping investigations" (e.g.the tariff rate for Brazilian beef increased from 3% to 5% in 2026).

IV.Advantages of Agency Services at Shanghai Port

As a core agency at Shanghai Port,Zhongshitong has three major advantages: Yangtze River Delta Port Linkage,24-hour Emergency Response,Full-chain Compliance Pre-review.Taking a Korean snack import case as an example: Mr.Fu’s company (a subsidiary of Lotte Korea) entrusted us with the agency service,and we completed the following 3 days in advance:

• Verification of GACC registration of the overseas enterprise;
• Compliance pre-review of the "nutrition facts panel" on the Chinese label (compliant with GB 28050-2011);
• Collaborated with the Shanghai Port Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to achieve "inspection upon arrival".

Finally,customs clearance was completed in 3 days,which was 40% faster than the average industry efficiency,saving RMB 48,000 in demurrage fees.

Conclusion: Five-Step Process for Imported Food Agency

• Verify the GACC registration of the overseas enterprise (complete 7-10 days in advance);
• Pre-review the compliance of the Chinese label (key points: ingredient list,allergens,additives);
• Apply for the Inbound Goods Customs Clearance Form and Quarantine Certificate;
• Customs valuation and foreign exchange settlement (lock in the exchange rate);
• Port inspection and release (priority access to the green channel at Shanghai Port).

In 2026,compliance requirements for food imports will be stricter.It is recommended that enterprises choose professional institutions with "GACC registration agency qualification + food label pre-review capability" to reduce risks.Mr.Fu’s company has achieved zero cargo detention records for imported foods for three consecutive years through our agency services.