Key Compliance Points for Full-process Food Import Customs Clearance and Practical Agency Operation Guide

Core Operation Guide for Food Import Customs Clearance Agency

I have previously contacted many food trading enterprises that suffered huge losses due to customs clearance delays or even goods return,caused by unfamiliarity with 2026 customs and commodity inspection rules.As China’s core port,Shanghai’s food import customs clearance efficiency directly affects the overall trade rhythm.The following summarizes the core risk control and operation points concluded from Zhongshitong’s practical experience.

I.Core Risk Control Points for Customs Price Verification

In 2026,customs price verification focuses on checking transaction authenticity and price rationality,and no longer only refers to the original declared FOB price.Complete CIF conversion vouchers (detailed freight and insurance premium documents) are required,and third-party audit reports need to be supplemented for related party transactions.I once handled a case of imported pre-packaged snacks: the enterprise declared an FOB price 18% lower than similar products,which was questioned by customs as suspected price underreporting,leading to 7 days of port detention of the goods.The case was finally smoothly approved in price verification with the real ocean bill of lading,insurance policy and supplier quotation letter provided by Zhongshitong.

• Complete pre-verification of price verification documents 3 days before the goods arrive at the port,to avoid delays caused by on-site document supplementation
• Prepare public supplier quotation certificates in advance for related party transactions to avoid price queries
• Freight and insurance premium must be consistent with actual payment vouchers,and cannot be estimated arbitrarily

II.Mandatory Documents and Compliance Requirements for Pre-inspection of Commodity Inspection

2026 commodity inspection regulations stipulate that food imports must meet the GACC overseas manufacturer registration requirement (Order No.248).Animal and plant products need to provide the Phytosanitary/Health Certificate issued by the official authority of the exporting country.The Chinese label of pre-packaged food must be filed in advance at Shanghai Port,and food additives in the ingredient list must meet the national limit specified in GB2760.I once assisted an imported dairy enterprise to adjust its ingredient list: the preservative content in its product exceeded the limit specified in GB2760,which would have resulted in goods return.After Zhongshitong guided the enterprise to adjust the formula,the product smoothly passed commodity inspection,saving nearly 2 million RMB of losses.

• The GACC overseas registration number must be clearly marked on the customs declaration form,no omission is allowed
• Chinese label filing application must be submitted 10 days in advance,packaging printing can only be carried out after the filing is approved
• The validity period of the animal and plant quarantine certificate shall not exceed 14 days,and must match the arrival time of the goods

III.Key Processes and Precautions for Animal and Plant Quarantine

The animal and plant quarantine efficiency at Shanghai Port in 2026 has increased by 22% compared with that in 2025,but sampling inspection reservation must be made in advance.Products such as meat and fruits need to provide an additional certificate of origin.I once handled a case of imported Chilean cherries: the enterprise did not make a sampling reservation in advance,leading to 3 days of port detention.Later,Zhongshitong arranged sampling in advance,and the inspection was completed on the same day,avoiding demurrage fees.

• Make sampling reservation for animal and plant products 1 day before the goods arrive at the port,no temporary on-site application is allowed
• Goods with unqualified sampling inspection results must be disposed of within 7 days,otherwise they will be destroyed after the deadline
• Additional import quarantine approval document is required for importing live animals,no omission is allowed

IV.Practical Details of Import License Application

Special categories such as dairy products,alcoholic beverages,and infant formula food require import licenses.The processing period in 2026 is 5-7 days.Zhongshitong can process the application urgently relying on its local resources in Shanghai.I once assisted an imported French red wine enterprise whose shipping schedule was changed due to delayed license processing,we got the license 2 days in advance through the urgent channel,realizing smooth customs clearance.

• Complete the import license application 10 days before customs declaration,no retroactive application after customs declaration is allowed
• The product name and quantity on the license must be completely consistent with those on the customs declaration form,no discrepancy is allowed
• The import license is valid for 6 months,customs clearance must be completed within the validity period

Risk Warning and Practical Cases of Customs Clearance Agency Services

I have come across many enterprises that fell into traps of demurrage fees and document exchange fees.Some freight forwarders charge extra document exchange service fees,while Zhongshitong provides transparent all-inclusive quotation with no hidden charges.We once served a domestic food trader importing 10 containers of Australian milk powder: Zhongshitong pre-audited the GACC registration number,animal and plant quarantine certificate and Chinese label,reserved sampling inspection,and applied for the import license in advance.The customs clearance was completed 2 days after the goods arrived at the port,generating no demurrage fees at all,saving nearly 300,000 RMB of costs for the enterprise.

Food imported from RCEP member countries in 2026 can enjoy tariff reduction.Zhongshitong will pre-audit the authenticity of the certificate of origin to ensure enterprises get the maximum preferential treatment.For food imported from Europe and America,extra attention should be paid to the latest changes in anti-dumping duties.Zhongshitong monitors policies in real time and adjusts customs clearance plans in advance.As a global trade center,Shanghai enables Zhongshitong to realize joint declaration across all national ports.If the enterprise imports goods through other ports,no additional coordination is needed,and all demands can be settled in a one-stop manner.