Nantong Food Import Agency: 5 Customs Clearance Steps and Risk Avoidance Guide

Core Operation Guide for Nantong Food Import Agency: Full Process from Qualification Pre-audit to Label Filing

As a foreign trade agent serving 200+ Nantong food import enterprises,I will state the conclusion directly: The key to Nantong food import is not just finding an agent,but finding a professional team that can connect the "Shanghai-Nantong" port linkage.Last year,a Nantong trading company imported 10 tons of cashews from Vietnam.Because the label did not use GB 2760 standards to name additives,the goods were detained by Nantong Customs during inspection.Ultimately,the rectification was completed within 24 hours through coordination with the Shanghai headquarters.Here are the 5 essential links and key points to avoid pitfalls.

1.Customs Valuation: 3 Pre-audit Techniques to Avoid Supplementary Tax Risks

Food imports are often scrutinized because the "declared value is lower than the customs reference price." In 2026,Nantong Customs added a spot-check mechanism for HS codes for categories like "nuts and dairy products." We have summarized 3 practical techniques:

• Price Comparison Method: Check the average import price of similar products in the last 6 months in advance using the GACC "Commodity Price Database" (added in 2026).A Nantong importer once declared "pistachios" (08021200) as 08021100,which was determined as a classification error,resulting in 8,000 yuan in supplementary tax.
• Supplementing Transaction Details: Clearly mark "FOB price includes packing charges" and "separately list marine insurance" in the invoice.Last year,a Nantong enterprise failed to report packing charges,leading to a determination of "falsely low price" during valuation and an extra payment of 23,000 yuan in tariffs.
• Certificate of Origin Comparison: For food imported from Southeast Asia,both FORM E (ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Certificate of Origin) and "China Customs Pre-classification Certificate" must be provided; otherwise,the valuation may increase due to disputes over the origin.

2.Commodity Inspection Pre-audit: Double Insurance for Animal and Plant Quarantine and Label Filing

The "quarantine barrier" for food imports is stricter than the "customs declaration barrier." In 2026,the Nantong Commodity Inspection Bureau implemented "pre-audit before release" for products like "meat and aquatic products." We recommend completing the following in advance:

• Animal and Plant Quarantine Approval: The "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine License" must be submitted 15 working days before the goods arrive at the port.There are 2 designated quarantine stations locally in Nantong (Nantong Customs Animal and Plant Quarantine Department,Development Zone Quarantine Section).You must confirm in advance if they match the exporting country.
• Electronic Pre-audit for Label Filing: In 2026,Nantong Customs launched the "Label Filing Electronic System," requiring submission of design drafts + GB 7718-2011 compliance declaration.An enterprise had its label returned for modification 3 times because it used "natural flavoring" without listing specific ingredients,causing a 20-day delay.
• Health Certificate Verification: The "Health Certificate" issued by a Vietnamese nut factory did not reflect "irradiation treatment" (HS code 0802 requires verification),leading to a discrepancy between goods and documents during inspection at Nantong Port.We resolved this by obtaining an "Emergency Release Letter" from the Shanghai Commodity Inspection Bureau.

3.Import License Processing: 3 Types of Qualifications Nantong Enterprises Must Know

Not all food import categories require licenses,but the following situations must be processed in advance:

4.Risk Warning: 3 Compliance Red Lines Most Prone to Pitfalls

1."Hidden Risks" in Labels: A Nantong client imported Thai coconut milk.The label listed "thickener" without specifying the GB code,which was determined to violate the "General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods" (GB 7718-2011).The result was a fine of 50,000 yuan and label destruction.2.Timeliness of Quarantine Certificates: In 2026,Nantong Customs clarified that the "validity period of the phytosanitary certificate is shortened to 15 days." An enterprise had its goods detained at the Nantong Port yard for 3 days due to an expired certificate,incurring demurrage charges of 3,000 yuan per day.3.Foreign Exchange Settlement Trap: A Nantong enterprise used "forward settlement" to lock the exchange rate but suffered an actual settlement loss of 120,000 yuan due to fluctuations.We recommend prioritizing "spot settlement + hedging tools" to mitigate risks.

5.Zhongshitong’s Shanghai-Nantong Port Linkage Advantages

As an agent with a Shanghai headquarters and presence in Nantong,we can solve 2 local pain points: 1.Nantong Lacks Shanghai Port Authority: The Nantong local Commodity Inspection Bureau does not have "final approval authority for food labels," requiring expedited processing through the Shanghai Commodity Inspection Bureau.Zhongshitong can coordinate to issue the certificate in Shanghai within 3 working days.2.Cross-Regional Customs Declaration Coordination: Nantong Port and Shanghai Waigaoqiao implement "remote declaration." We can use the "Nantong declaration,Shanghai release" model,which is 2-3 days faster than purely local agents.

Real-World Case: Full Process of Customs Clearance for Nuts Imported from Vietnam by a Nantong Enterprise

Scenario: A Nantong company needs to import Vietnamese in-shell cashews (HS 08021000) with a cargo value of 500,000 USD,scheduled to arrive at the port on October 15.Task: Ensure full process customs clearance is completed before October 20.Action: ① Complete GACC overseas factory registration verification 7 days in advance; ② Declare price using the "3-Parameter Comparison Method" (average price of similar Vietnamese products in the last 6 months + Nantong local historical transaction price); ③ Coordinate synchronous document review by Nantong Customs and Shanghai Commodity Inspection Bureau.Result: Goods arrived at the port on October 18 and were released on October 20,5 days faster than peers,saving 80,000 yuan in demurrage charges.

Final Advice: 3 "Don’ts" for Nantong Food Import

1.Do not blindly look for low-price agents (a local Nantong agent quoted 20% lower but missed the label filing fee,resulting in an extra expenditure of 12,000 yuan); 2.Do not delay label design draft review (GB 7718 compliance check must be completed 15 working days in advance); 3.Do not ignore HS code classification (an enterprise classified "seasoned nuts" as 0802,when it should be 2008,resulting in 30% more tariff paid).

The core of a Nantong food import agency is "using Shanghai port experience to solve local pain points." If you have questions about clearing specific categories,you can directly contact Manager Yu of Zhongshitong (Nantong Branch).Providing the HS code will get you a customized solution.