Full-process Compliance Operation Rules and Risk Mitigation for Hefei Food Import Customs Declaration Agency

In 2026,the import volume of food at Hefei Port increased by 18% year-on-year,but the return rate for local enterprises due to document compliance,qualification review,port inspection and other issues still reached 12%.Many importers reported that the review of Chinese labels alone could take 2-3 weeks,and goods would be directly returned if they did not meet GB national standards.As a professional agency deeply engaged in foreign trade agency,we have summarized the core practical points of Hefei food import customs declaration to help you avoid common pitfalls.

Four Core Compliance Processes for Hefei Food Import Customs Declaration

Key Points for Customs Valuation Operation

Customs valuation is a core link in food import customs declaration.In 2026,the General Administration of Customs further refined the valuation standards for imported foods,requiring importers to provide true transaction price vouchers,including contracts,invoices,payment receipts,etc.We once encountered a Hefei importer who imported French red wine; the invoice provided did not match the actual transaction price,leading to the customs requiring a supplementary payment of 20% tariff and late payment surcharges.The correct approach is to prepare complete transaction certificates in advance.For related-party transactions,additional documents from related enterprises should be provided to ensure successful valuation review at one time.

Pre-review by Commodity Inspection and Chinese Label Recordation

According to the latest GACC requirements in 2026,pre-packaged food must complete Chinese label recordation before import.The labels must comply with General Rules for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2024),especially the use of food additives must comply with the access list of GB 2760-2024.We once assisted a Hefei cereal importer in label rectification; the original label used "vegetable fat powder" which was not clearly marked in the latest national standard,leading to failed pre-review.After adjusting the ingredient list,the recordation was completed in 3 days.

Animal and Plant Quarantine Approval

For fresh and frozen foods,meat,fruits and vegetables,pre-application for animal and plant quarantine permits is required.In 2026,the approval process for food imports from RCEP member countries was further simplified.If importing prepackaged food from ASEAN countries,providing a Certificate of Origin (FORM E) can enjoy a 5%-10% tariff reduction.It should be noted that meat products from some countries require prior GACC registration of overseas production enterprises; unregistered enterprises’ products cannot enter the Chinese market.

Import License Application

For special foods such as health foods and infant formula foods,pre-application for imported food recordation certificates is required.In 2026,Hefei Customs launched a linkage model of "declaration from other locations + local inspection".Enterprises can submit materials in Hefei without going to the Shanghai port,significantly shortening the processing cycle.

Common Risk Warnings for Hefei Food Import Customs Declaration

• Failure to pre-review Chinese labels in advance: Frequent updates of national standards in 2026 may lead to delayed return and rectification if not reviewed against the latest version,potentially delaying the delivery cycle by up to 1 month.
• Ignoring GACC overseas enterprise registration: Products from unregistered overseas food production enterprises cannot pass customs clearance.Some enterprises need to submit registration materials 3 months in advance.
• Hidden cost traps: Some freight forwarders may charge unreasonable document exchange fees and detention fees.We will list all charging items in advance to avoid additional expenses for enterprises.
• Port congestion during holidays: Hefei Port saw a 30% drop in inspection efficiency during Christmas and Ramadan in 2026; advance adjustment of inventory plans is required.

Practical Case: Customs Clearance Experience of a Hefei Cereal Importer

Situation: A Hefei trading company imported 1200 boxes of prepackaged cereal from Germany in March 2026.Due to failure to pre-review the Chinese label,the goods were returned by Hefei Customs after arriving at the port.

Task: Our team needed to complete label rectification and re-clearance within 7 days to catch the supermarket shelf period.

Action: We re-reviewed the label against GB 7718-2024 and found that the position of "maltodextrin" in the original label was non-compliant.We also supplemented translated versions of the Certificate of Origin and Health Certificate to assist the enterprise in completing Chinese label recordation.

Result: The rectified label passed pre-review within 3 days.The goods were re-cleared 2 days after arriving at the port,successfully catching the 618 promotion period of the supermarket,with 100% customer satisfaction.

Exclusive Advantages of Hefei Food Import Customs Declaration

As a professional agency deeply engaged in foreign trade agency,we have national port linkage service capabilities,providing one-stop services including customs declaration,logistics,foreign exchange settlement,and export tax rebate in Hefei.In 2026,we launched a "7×24-hour customs clearance follow-up" service,allowing enterprises to query goods clearance progress anytime without repeated contact with different departments.For local enterprises,we also provide free qualification pre-review services to proactively identify document loopholes and reduce customs clearance risks.