Guide to Compliant Import Declaration for Food from Japan via Shanghai Port Agency

Core Compliance Nodes for Japanese Food Import Declarations

1.Customs Valuation and Application of Certificate of Origin

Under the RCEP framework in 2026,Japanese food imports are eligible for preferential tariff rates,provided that a compliant Certificate of Origin (FORM R) is submitted.Supervisor Bao once encountered a client that used an old version of FORM R for declaration,which was requested for correction by customs,leading to a 3-day delay in shipping.Such certificates must be issued by Japanese authorities,and the origin proportion of goods must meet the RCEP 55% requirement; otherwise,tariff reductions cannot be enjoyed.During the customs valuation process,if the declared price is 10% lower than the average transaction value of similar goods in the same period,a price verification will be initiated,and full supporting documents such as purchase contracts,invoices,and payment vouchers must be provided; otherwise,higher taxes may be assessed.

2.Commodity Inspection Pre-approval and Food Label Registration

The Chinese label of pre-packaged Japanese food is a must-check item for commodity inspection.The GB7718-2025 standard implemented in 2026 adds a mandatory requirement for the labeling of ingredient lists,requiring specific names of food additives to be clearly stated instead of just labeling "food additives".I once handled a shipment of Japanese imported cookies,where the client only labeled "leavening agent" without specifying the exact ingredient,leading to a 1-week rectification requirement.It is recommended to submit label samples for commodity inspection pre-approval in advance,focusing on details such as font size,layout,and ingredient list logic to avoid clearance delays.

3.Phytosanitary Inspection and Access List Verification

Fresh Japanese food (such as seafood and fruits) requires a Phytosanitary Certificate and must be on the access list published by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).In 2026,GACC updated the "List of Overseas Food Production Enterprises Registered for Import".Some small Japanese food processing plants have not completed registration under Decree 248 and are unable to export to China.If the goods involve endangered species,an additional import/export permit for endangered species is required,a step that is easily overlooked,leading to cargo return.

4.Import License and Foreign Exchange Settlement Compliance

Some Japanese food products (such as dairy products and special dietary foods) require import licenses,which must be applied for in advance on the Ministry of Commerce website,with a processing period of approximately 15 working days.For foreign exchange settlement,current account foreign exchange accounts must be used to avoid exchange losses caused by using personal accounts for settlement.At the same time,transaction vouchers must be retained for customs inspection.In 2026,foreign exchange management policies will be further tightened,and illegal foreign exchange settlement will be included in the corporate credit file.

Practical Pitfall Case: Full Process of Rectification for Returned Japanese Sake Imports

[Scenario] In October 2025,an importer in Shanghai imported a batch of sake from Japan with a declared value of USD 120,000,planning to clear through Yangshan Port.Before the goods arrived,the client submitted the customs declaration documents on its own.[Task] Assist the client in completing rectification to ensure timely delivery of the goods.[Action] After Supervisor Bao inspected the documents,two core issues were found: first,the origin proportion on the Certificate of Origin was only 42%,which did not meet the RCEP requirement; second,the Chinese label did not specify the exact name of the food additive "sodium bicarbonate".We assisted the client in contacting the Japanese supplier to re-issue a compliant FORM R certificate,and also adjusted the Chinese label template and submitted it for commodity inspection pre-approval.[Result] After rectification,the goods successfully cleared customs,with only a 2-day delay compared to the original plan,avoiding detention fees of approximately CNY 2,000 per day.

3 Core Risks in Japanese Food Import Declarations

• Risk of Inconsistent Documentation: Mismatched information on the Certificate of Origin,phytosanitary certificate,and label may lead to customs rejection and detention fees.Some clients,to save costs,use documents issued through non-official channels,which ultimately result in higher costs.
• Risk of Valuation Deviation: If the declared price differs significantly from the average transaction value in the customs database,a price verification will be initiated,prolonging clearance time.Some clients underestimate the strictness of customs valuation and fail to prepare supporting documents,leading to increased taxes.
• Risk of Compliance Violations: Failure to complete registration of overseas production enterprises or non-compliance of ingredients with national standards will directly lead to cargo return or destruction.In 2026,the customs inspection rate for food compliance will increase to 30%,significantly raising the incidence of such risks.

Self-Declaration vs Professional Agency Declaration: Cost and Efficiency Comparison

Exclusive Service Advantages at Shanghai Port

As a local professional agency in Shanghai,leveraging the geographical advantages of Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port,we can provide cross-port declaration services nationwide,eliminating the need for clients to be present in person.At the same time,we collaborate with a global network of agents to assist clients with pre-approval services such as registration under Decree 248 for Japanese factories and label translation and registration.For the frequent operation of near-shore routes,we have optimized the document submission process,enabling pre-approval to be completed one day in advance,ensuring immediate clearance upon arrival of goods and maximizing the reduction of detention time.