Xiamen Food Import Customs Clearance Agent: Complete Process Guide from Access to Release

Xiamen Food Import Customs Clearance Agent: Complete Process Analysis from Access to Release

As a food import hub on the southeast coast,Xiamen’s import volume increased by 12% year-on-year in the first half of 2026,with pre-packaged food accounting for 68% of the total.However,many enterprises have suffered cargo detention at the port due to neglecting details such as "GACC Overseas Production Enterprise Registration" and "Chinese Label Filing".As a practitioner who has handled over 200 Xiamen food import cases,I often encounter situations like this: a Southeast Asian nut importer failed to verify in advance whether the exporting country was a non-epidemic area permitted by China,resulting in their cargo being directly intercepted by the animal and plant quarantine department upon arrival,which ultimately delayed sales during the Mid-Autumn Festival peak season.Below,we break down the key operations of Xiamen food import customs clearance from four core links: customs valuation inspection,commodity inspection pre-review,animal and plant quarantine,and license processing.

I.Customs Valuation Inspection: How to Avoid Clearance Delays Caused by "Price Disputes"

Xiamen Customs imposes strict valuation on food products,with particular focus on "historical declaration data of similar products" and "fair market price in the international market".I once represented a European olive oil importer whose declared price was 20% lower than the internal reference price of Customs,triggering manual valuation.At that time,we spent 3 days supplementing the following documents: ① Proof of "insurance amount borne by the seller under FOB terms" in the purchase contract; ② Screenshot of the average import price of EU olive oil in the past 3 months from the General Administration of Customs; ③ Import declaration forms of domestic similar products (desensitization required).Eventually,Customs approved the declared price,and the cargo was released on the 5th working day.Here is a reminder: Food importers must communicate with the Valuation Section of Xiamen Customs in advance and provide the certificate of origin and FORM R (the newly added RCEP tariff reduction certificate in 2026),which can reduce the probability of valuation disputes by 5%-10%.

II.Commodity Inspection Pre-review: "Hidden Minefields" of Pre-packaged Food Labels

The Xiamen Commodity Inspection Bureau implements a "three-review system" for label inspection: initial review (1 working day),re-review (2 working days),and final review (3 working days).Labels must include 4 core elements: ① Chinese name,ingredient list,net content,and production date; ② Specific names and contents of food additives (in accordance with GB 2760-2024 standard); ③ Storage conditions (clearly mark "store at 0-4℃" if refrigeration is required); ④ Name of importer/distributor and Xiamen filing number.

An importer once had their declaration rejected because the specific content of "sodium metabisulfite" was not marked on the label,resulting in 7 days of cargo detention.Our solutions were: ① Design the label in advance using the template provided by Xiamen Commodity Inspection; ② Contact a third-party testing institution (such as SGS Xiamen Laboratory) to issue a "Food Additive Compliance Declaration"; ③ Submit a "Label Rectification Commitment" simultaneously with the declaration to ensure priority processing of problematic cargo.

III.Animal and Plant Quarantine: Be Alert to "Epidemic Area Ingredients" and "Certificate Traps"

In 2026,the quarantine of animal and plant-derived foods such as meat and dairy products at Xiamen Port has become stricter.Enterprises must verify in advance whether the exporting country is included in the "Catalogue of Animal Quarantine Diseases for Entry".For example,durians from some areas in Thailand are restricted from import due to the risk of African swine fever.In addition,attention should be paid to: ① The validity period of the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" is 6 months,and it cannot be extended beyond the expiration date; ② The Health Certificate must include a statement that "no genetically modified ingredients are involved in the processing",otherwise it may be judged as "not in compliance with China’s quarantine requirements".

A Japanese aquatic product enterprise was required to supplement materials at Xiamen Port because the "shellfish breeding area" was not marked on the Health Certificate.At that time,we coordinated with the Japanese exporter to re-issue the certificate and submitted it to Xiamen Bureau through a 24-hour urgent channel,ultimately saving 5 days of detention fees.Key point: Xiamen Bureau has strict requirements on the interval between the "issuance date" of the certificate and the "cargo arrival date".If it exceeds 72 hours,additional "cold chain transportation temperature control records" must be provided.

IV.License Processing: "Hard Thresholds" of GACC Registration and Decree No.248

According to the "Regulations on the Administration of Registration of Overseas Production Enterprises for Imported Food" (Decree No.248 of the General Administration of Customs),in 2026,a new requirement was added that "pre-packaged food production enterprises must complete electronic registration with the General Administration of Customs",otherwise the cargo cannot be imported.In practice,enterprises need to complete GACC registration 2 months in advance,and Xiamen Bureau will require the following documents: ① HACCP system certification (ISO 22000) of the production enterprise; ② Food quality inspection report of products exported to China in the past year (issued by a laboratory recognized by Xiamen Customs); ③ Enterprise legal person power of attorney (overseas enterprises need to be certified by Chinese embassies or consulates).

A Southeast Asian nut importer failed to complete the "importer filing with Xiamen Commodity Inspection Bureau",resulting in the cargo being unable to be released upon arrival.We urgently assisted them in completing the filing (which took 3 working days).During this period,we contacted the Animal and Plant Quarantine Division of Xiamen Bureau simultaneously and provided the "agency agreement between the importer and the overseas enterprise".Eventually,the cargo cleared customs on the 2nd working day after the filing was completed.

V.Risk Early Warning: Enterprise Self-inspection Checklist and Zhongshitong Risk Control Mechanism

The following 5 self-inspection items must be completed 3 days before customs clearance:

• Validity of GACC Registration: Verify whether the overseas production enterprise is included in the "List of Registered Overseas Production Enterprises for Imported Food" on the official website of the General Administration of Customs;
• Completeness of Certificate of Origin: FORM A (ASEAN) must include a statement that "the product HS code is consistent with the declaration";
• Label Compliance: Self-inspect the format using the "2026 Version 3 Label Filing Template" provided by Xiamen Commodity Inspection;
• Additive Compliance: Compare with GB 2760-2024 to confirm that the "functional category + maximum usage amount" of all additives are correctly marked;
• Consistency of Logistics Documents: Check whether the "shipping mark","gross weight/net weight" on the ocean bill of lading and the customs declaration form are completely consistent.

Zhongshitong adopts a "three-review and three-check" risk control system: ① Initial review by customs declarant (completeness of documents); ② Re-review by document review supervisor (consistency with customs policies); ③ Final review by Shanghai headquarters (search of national port case database).For example,an importer once had their declaration rejected due to incorrect marking of the content of "food additive sodium metabisulfite".We completed label rectification and filing in 3 days,avoiding more than 50,000 yuan in detention fees caused by cargo detention.

VI.Comparison of Customs Clearance Efficiency at Xiamen Port: How to Shorten the Release Cycle

Xiamen food import customs clearance agency is by no means a simple document submission,but a comprehensive capability integrating "policy interpretation + risk prediction + resource linkage".With a national port agency network accumulated over 20 years by Zhongshitong Shanghai headquarters,we can respond to the inspection requirements of Xiamen Bureau in real time.Adopting the "headquarters + port" dual-team collaboration model,we ensure that the entire process of food from "overseas warehouse to Xiamen shelf" is compliant and controllable.If you are facing difficulties in Xiamen food import customs clearance,you can contact Zhongshitong Xiamen Branch in advance and provide basic materials such as GACC registration certificate and label template.We will issue a "Customs Clearance Risk Assessment Report" within 24 hours.