Complete Customs Declaration Operation Guide for Changzhou Imported Food Agency

Analysis of Core Operation Procedures for Changzhou Imported Food Agency

I.Customs Valuation and Declaration Element Matching

In 2026,the customs valuation system becomes more dynamic,and food products shall focus on the consistency between declared price and dutiable value.For example,a nut gift box imported from Belgium by a Changzhou importer was classified as "other nuts" by customs due to missing "packaging specification" in declaration,leading to the tax rate rising from 6% to 15%.

• It is recommended to strictly check the 8th and 9th digit sub-items of the HS Code (such as the tax rate difference between "08021100" and "08021900") when entering declaration elements through the Single Window in advance
• For pre-packaged food,special attention shall be paid to whether the usage amount of food additives in the ingredient list complies with GB 2760-2024 (2026 latest version),such as the maximum usage limit of caramel color,preservatives and other additives

II.Commodity Inspection Pre-inspection and Label Compliance Control

Changzhou enterprises often face customs clearance delays due to difficult local inspection.Relying on 20 years of experience of its Shanghai headquarters,Zhongshitong provides "off-site pre-inspection + direct port release" services.For example,jelly imported from Japan by a Changzhou client was found to have defects in pre-audit by Zhongshitong as the label did not mark "contains trace pectin" as required by GB 7718-2011,and the rectification was completed in only 2 working days.

• Chinese labels shall include: product name,ingredient list,net content,country of origin,importer/distributor,shelf life,storage conditions,contact information,Chinese warning statements (such as "contains gluten")
• The new requirement of "mandatory nutrition facts table labeling" is added in 2026,which shall be filled strictly according to 5 indicators including energy,protein,fat,etc.with an error not exceeding ±5%

III.Animal and Plant Quarantine and Special Category Approval

For imported meat,dairy products and other categories,an additional Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit shall be obtained,and it shall be confirmed that foreign manufacturers have completed filing under GACC Decree No.248.For example,sausages imported from Germany by a Changzhou client were detained after customs inspection due to failure to provide the processing plant number.

• Meat products shall provide: Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the exporter,processing plant filing number,production date and batch number
• For dairy products,additional confirmation shall be made: raw milk comes from GACC-approved pastures and complies with National Food Safety Standard for Infant Formula (GB 10765-2026)

IV.Import License and Special Supervision Requirements

In 2026,the new regulation requires "special food" (such as infant formula,probiotic products) to obtain special food registration.Probiotic solid beverage imported by a Changzhou client was required to supplement certificates during port inspection due to failure to complete infant supplementary food filing in advance,resulting in a 15-day delay.

• Special food importers shall provide: GMP certification of foreign manufacturers,product test reports (including microbial and heavy metal indicators)
• Import license processing cycle: 7 working days for meat,10 working days for dairy products.Pre-inspection communication with the customs animal and plant inspection department shall be conducted in advance

Risk Early Warning and Pitfall Avoidance Guide for Changzhou Imported Food Agency

I.Compliance Red Line Early Warning

Non-compliant food labels are the most common cause of cargo detention for Changzhou import enterprises.In 2026,GB 7718 adds the requirement of "prohibition of absolute terms".Enterprises that fail to update labels according to the standard will face a fine of 2000-10000 yuan per batch.

• Prohibited: Use absolute terms such as "best","No.1" in labels,such as "best quality chocolate"
• Prohibited: Forge production date or shelf life.Customs adopts blockchain technology to trace production dates in 2026.Once false labeling is found,the enterprise will be included in the discredited entity list

II.Hidden Cost and Exchange Loss Control

Changzhou clients are often charged hidden fees by freight forwarders due to unfamiliarity with Shanghai port operation procedures.For example,dried durian imported from Thailand by a client incurred 23,000 yuan of demurrage due to 3 days of port detention and delayed document exchange.Zhongshitong provides early warning of port detention risks through the port dynamic monitoring system.

• Recommendation: Sign an all-inclusive fixed-price service agreement with Zhongshitong,which explicitly includes: customs declaration fee,transportation fee,storage fee,document exchange fee,and demurrage cap (2000 yuan per day)
• Foreign exchange settlement recommendation: Adopt installment foreign exchange settlement to reduce exchange rate fluctuation risk.The fluctuation range of RMB against Euro in 2026 is ±3%,so exchange rate locking shall be arranged in advance

Advantages of Zhongshitong Changzhou Imported Food Agency Services

Relying on 20 years of import experience of its Shanghai headquarters,Zhongshitong provides Changzhou clients with "off-site declaration at national ports + global agency network coordination" services.Three new advantages are added in 2026:

• Overseas pre-inspection: Check in advance whether foreign manufacturers have completed filing under GACC Decree No.248,to avoid customs clearance failure after cargo arrival due to enterprise qualification issues
• Label rectification green channel: In cooperation with Shanghai Commodity Inspection Bureau,label problems can be feedback on the same day and rectified within 3 working days
• Port resource linkage: Integrate customs clearance data of 12 coastal ports including Shanghai Port and Yangshan Port,so Changzhou clients can enjoy the convenience of "local declaration,port release"