Full-Process Compliance Operation Guide for Food Import Freight Forwarding

Core Operation Logic of Food Import Freight Forwarding

In 2026,I assisted Ms.Huang from Zhejiang in handling a Chilean cherry import project.When the client initially filed the declaration on her own,she omitted the additional statement on the RCEP certificate of origin,resulting in the loss of eligibility for the 5% tariff preference and an extra tax payment of around RMB 80,000.Such mistakes are common in food imports,and professional freight forwarders need to control risks throughout the entire process from document review to port release.

1.Customs Valuation: Avoid Being Identified as Underreporting or Overreporting

According to the latest 2026 valuation rules of GACC,imported food must be provided with a full set of transaction price documents,including commercial invoices,packing lists,ocean bills of lading,official quotation sheets from overseas suppliers,and freight allocation details.A detail often ignored by some freight forwarders is that if goods are traded under EXW terms,domestic freight and insurance premiums must be listed separately,otherwise the customs will re-value the goods based on CIF price.Our team once handled a case where a client declared under FOB terms but failed to provide freight certificates,resulting in the goods being detained for 14 days and an additional port detention fee of RMB 23,000.ZST will assist clients in organizing the full set of price documents in advance,calculate tariffs and value-added tax in advance against the preferential tax rates of RCEP member states,and avoid delays in customs valuation.

2.Commodity Pre-inspection: Screen Label and Compliance Risks in Advance

Chinese labels of prepackaged food must comply with GB 7718-2011 (2025 Revision) General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods,and food additives in the ingredient list must be included in the access list of GB 2760 of China.In 2026,some palm oil exported from Southeast Asia was returned due to failure to label trans fatty acid content,and such problems can be completely avoided through pre-inspection.ZST’s commodity inspection team will review label samples in advance,cooperate with domestic inspection institutions to complete pre-audit,mark content that does not meet national standards,such as mandatory labeling requirements for allergen information,to avoid rectification delays after the goods arrive at the port.

3.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Compliance with Decree 248 and Certificates

According to GACC Decree 248,all overseas production enterprises of imported meat,aquatic products,fruits and vegetables must complete registration in 2026,and goods from unregistered enterprises will be directly returned.Official Phytosanitary Certificate or Health Certificate must also be provided,and certificates from EU countries must be electronically verified through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).I once assisted Manager Lv from Guangdong in handling the import of Spanish olive oil,and avoided the loss of 7 days of port detention by confirming the registration list of overseas factories in advance.

4.Import License: Accurately Match Regulatory Requirements

Anti-dumping duties are imposed on some dairy products from the United States in 2026,so it is necessary to confirm the tariff rate and license type in advance.For food made from endangered animals and plants,CITES certificates are also required.ZST’s national port coordination team can complete license declaration synchronously at ports in Shanghai,Shenzhen,Guangzhou and other cities,with an average approval cycle 40% shorter than that of enterprises’ self-declaration.

The following is a comparison of regulatory requirements for mainstream imported food in 2026:

Early Warning of Common Risks in Food Import Freight

• Hidden fee trap: Some freight forwarders charge document exchange fees and inspection fees privately.It is necessary to sign an all-inclusive agreement in advance to clarify all fee details and avoid additional expenses after the goods arrive at the port.
• Exchange loss risk: Choose an appropriate settlement method to avoid cost increases caused by exchange rate fluctuations.ZST can provide auxiliary foreign exchange settlement services to lock in exchange rate costs.
• Holiday delay: During Ramadan 2026,the customs clearance efficiency of Middle East ports dropped by 30%,and the congestion rate of European and American ports increased by 25% during the Christmas season.Shipment plans should be adjusted in advance.

In November 2025,an importer in Shanghai planned to import New Zealand kiwifruit,which was scheduled to arrive at the port during the Christmas season in December,but the shipment was delayed due to failure to apply for the animal and plant quarantine certificate in advance.After receiving the entrustment,ZST cooperated with local agents in New Zealand to complete the registration verification of overseas factories,processed the certificate on an urgent basis,and finally the goods arrived at the port 3 days ahead of schedule,catching up with the Christmas sales peak season,saving the client from an order loss of about RMB 200,000.

As an import agent at Shanghai Port,we can realize cross-port declaration across the country.Relying on the global agency network,we provide customers with one-stop services from overseas pickup,international ocean shipping,port clearance and distribution to domestic delivery,breaking regional limitations and solving cross-regional trade problems.