Professional Full-Process Compliance Clearance Service Manual for Food Import Customs Declaration at Dalian Port

Core Compliance Procedures for Food Import Customs Declaration at Dalian Port

In 2026,regulatory requirements for food import customs clearance at Dalian Port continue to be upgraded.The General Administration of Customs (GACC) has added a number of detailed rules for customs valuation,labeling,and quarantine of imported foods.Any oversight may lead to cargo detention at the port or even return.As a foreign trade agency headquartered in Shanghai,we have summarized four core compliance nodes for food import customs declaration at Dalian Port based on 20 years of frontline practical experience,helping you avoid common risks.

1.Customs Valuation Compliance Control

In 2026,the General Administration of Customs upgraded the imported goods valuation system,further tightening the audit standards for related transactions and the authenticity of transaction prices.Common valuation risks include understating cargo value,failing to provide complete freight and insurance documents,concealing supplier rebate agreements,etc.At the end of 2025,I handled a case of importing New Zealand dairy products at Dalian Port.The client’s dutiable value was adjusted by 30% by the customs due to failure to provide the annual rebate agreement with the supplier.Later,we assisted the client in organizing complete related transaction documents,including annual cooperation agreements and payment vouchers,and completed the customs valuation review in only 1 working day.

A special reminder here: Storage fees at Dalian Port terminals are calculated daily.For cargo not released within 7 days,the daily storage fee can reach up to RMB 20 per cubic meter.Once valuation is delayed,additional costs will increase significantly.Some small freight forwarders hide hidden costs such as document exchange fees and inspection fees in their quotes.Our quotes clearly list all charge items to avoid subsequent disputes.

2.Pre-Inspection by Commodity Inspection and Chinese Label Filing

The revised GB 7718 Food Labeling Standard will be officially implemented in 2026,with stricter requirements for labeling of ingredient lists and food additives.General terms such as "edible essence" or "additives" are prohibited; specific additive names must be labeled.Dalian Port commodity inspection authorities currently require that Chinese labels for imported foods must complete pre-inspection 3 days before cargo arrival.Cargo that fails pre-inspection will be directly returned or revised.

Last year,a Thai snack importer had his cargo detained by Dalian Commodity Inspection Bureau because the "leavening agent" on the label did not specify the exact ingredients.We assisted him in re-making the labels in accordance with the revised national standard and submitted the ingredient test report issued by the Thai Food and Drug Administration,completing the label pre-inspection in only 2 working days.In addition,for the nutrition facts table of pre-packaged foods,mandatory labeling requirements for trans fatty acids have been added in 2026,a point that many importers easily overlook.

3.Animal and Plant Quarantine and Health Certificate Verification

Imported foods such as meat,fruits and vegetables,and dairy products must provide Phytosanitary Certificate and Health Certificate issued by the official authorities of the exporting country.In 2026,quarantine certificates from RCEP member states can be verified via electronic network,while certificates from non-RCEP member states still require original paper documents,which must be certified by the embassy of the exporting country in China.

Meanwhile,according to GACC Order No.248,registration requirements for aquatic product processing enterprises from 6 countries including Vietnam and Malaysia have been added in 2026.Cargo from unregistered overseas production enterprises cannot enter China.We will assist customers in verifying the registration qualifications of overseas suppliers before cargo shipment,avoiding interception due to qualification issues after arrival.

4.Import License Application

Certain special foods,such as bird’s nest,foods related to endangered species,and infant formula milk powder,require advance import license application.In 2026,the Ministry of Commerce has shortened the license processing cycle to 3 working days,but requires importers to provide complete qualification materials,including business license,food operation license,supplier registration certificate,etc.We can help customers sort out required materials in advance to ensure the license passes review on the first attempt,avoiding shipment delays.

Exclusive Service Advantages for Food Import Customs Declaration at Dalian Port

• Complete document pre-verification 72 hours in advance,covering all materials such as certificates of origin,quarantine certificates,and labels,to avoid cargo detention after arrival
• Leverage local cooperative resources at Dalian Port to apply for priority inspection channels for customers,reducing clearance time by 1-2 days
• Provide exchange loss avoidance solutions,select the optimal settlement method based on customers’ trade terms (EXW/FOB/CIF) to reduce losses caused by exchange rate fluctuations
• Track cargo status throughout the process,notify customers of inspection progress and expense details in real time,no need for customers to be present in person

Comparison of Food Import Customs Declaration Between Dalian Port and Other Ports

Common Risk Warnings and Avoidance Guide

• Do not trust freight forwarder quotes lower than the market average.Most low-cost freight forwarders will charge hidden fees later,such as document exchange fees,inspection fees,storage fees,etc.
• Confirm in advance whether overseas suppliers have completed GACC registration.Cargo from unregistered enterprises will be directly returned and cannot enter China in 2026
• Chinese labels must be produced in strict accordance with the 2026 version of GB 7718 standard.Do not use old templates,otherwise commodity inspection authorities will require rectification
• Keep complete transaction documents,including contracts,invoices,freight documents,insurance policies,etc.for use during customs valuation

As an agency with 20 years of experience in foreign trade agency,we are not only familiar with the local inspection rules of Dalian Port,but also have the service capability of national port linkage.Even if your cargo arrives at Dalian Port,you can complete customs declaration through the remote declaration system without additional costs.If you encounter any problems when importing food at Dalian Port,please feel free to contact us for professional solutions.