What are the core customs clearance processes for agent import of snacks?
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I am a newly established imported food trader. Previously, I only did domestic snack wholesale, and now I want to import pre-packaged snacks like durian cakes and mango dried snacks from Southeast Asia, but I have no idea about the import process.
Recently, I heard that the customs inspection rate for pre-packaged food will increase by 30% in 2026, and there is a new VAT deferral policy. I am afraid that incomplete documents will lead to cargo detention, that logistics costs will be too high to make a profit, and even worried about being fined for non-compliant foreign exchange settlement.
I want to know the complete steps from finding an agent to receiving the goods, and which pitfalls must be avoided. Can you help me sort this out clearly?
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
First，from the perspective of full-link disassembly，the first step is pre-document review: In 2026，imported pre-packaged food needs to complete customs electronic filing in advance，prepare the certificate of origin，official health certificate，food contact material test report，and also provide the brand owner's authorization letter. All documents need to be translated and notarized before submission for review. Completing pre-review 15 days in advance can avoid customs clearance delays.
In the core node connection link，it is necessary touse the 2026 national customs clearance integration system to match manifest information in advanceto avoid return of documents due to inconsistency between the manifest and the actual goods. When paying taxes，you can apply for VAT deferral，which requires the qualification of import volume exceeding 500,000 Euros in 12 consecutive months，with a maximum deferral period of 6 months to ease capital pressure.
Regarding abnormal plans，if customs inspection is encountered，you need to prepare the production batch records and purchase vouchers of the goods in advance，cooperate with video recording during the unpacking inspection. If there is packaging damage，you can contact a third-party testing agency to issue a rectification report urgently，and apply to the customs for a temporary free storage period to reduce port detention fees.
In the final compliance implementation link，priority should be given to CIPS cross-border RMB payment for foreign exchange settlement to avoid SWIFT sanctions risks. The tax refund cycle in 2026 has been shortened to 3 working days. It is necessary to ensure the consistency of the four flows: contract，invoice，bill of lading，and payment voucher to avoid tax letter investigation risks.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
Regarding the customs valuation link, in 2026, the customs will use big data to compare the global transaction prices of imported food. You need to provide real purchase contracts, commercial invoices, and pricing instructions from the brand owner.
If there is a valuation query, you can submit a market quotation report from a third-party inquiry agency to apply for price negotiation. For the classification of pre-packaged food, you need to accurately correspond to the customs code.
The tax rate difference between different categories can reach 10%-15%. It is recommended to consult professional customs declaration personnel in advance to confirm the code to avoid overpayment of taxes due to classification errors.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of logistics path optimization, the coverage rate of direct shipping routes from Southeast Asia to Shanghai will increase to 85% in 2026. Choosing direct shipping first can shorten the transportation cycle by 50%, and at the same time lock the free storage period to 14 days and the free container period to 21 days.
Sign a space guarantee agreement with the shipping company to avoid the risk of container being dropped due to overcrowding. For small batches of goods, you can use the consolidated shipping mode to share logistics costs, and require the freight forwarder to provide a full-process cargo right tracking system to grasp the cargo transportation status in real time and reduce the risk of cargo right loss.
RobertYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Warehouse Management AdvisorStart a Chat
In cross-border tax planning, the VAT deferral policy only applies to general taxpayer enterprises, which need to complete the filing with the customs in advance. The deferred tax must be paid in full before the expiration date, and late payment fees will be incurred if it is not paid on time.
At the same time, attention should be paid to the compliance of cross-border related transaction pricing to avoid BEPS investigation by the tax authorities. It is recommended to formulate a reasonable pricing plan in advance and retain transaction vouchers for verification.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of foreign exchange settlement compliance, the proportion of cross-border RMB settlement has exceeded 60% in 2026. Using the CIPS system for settlement can enjoy exchange rate preferential treatment and does not need to occupy foreign exchange quotas.
Enterprises need to establish a foreign exchange collection and payment ledger to ensure that the capital flow of each transaction is consistent with the trade contract. For foreign exchange settlement business exceeding 500,000 US dollars per transaction, it is necessary to submit trade background materials to the bank in advance to avoid the settlement being returned.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of international trade legal protection, when signing an import agency agreement, it is necessary to clarify the ownership of cargo rights, responsibility division, and breach clauses between the two parties, and add force majeure clauses to cover special situations such as port congestion and policy changes.
At the same time, it is necessary to file intellectual property rights with the customs to avoid imported snack products involving trademark infringement. If the goods are detained, you can quickly submit the right certificate to apply for release.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of on-site inspection response, the packaging should be sorted out in advance before the goods arrive at the port to ensure that the seals are intact. When passing the machine inspection, you can declare the density, packaging material and other information of the goods to the customs to reduce the probability of unpacking inspection.
If unpacking is required, you need to cooperate with the customs personnel for inspection and keep unpacking photos and videos. If damage to the goods is found, you can submit a claim application to the customs on the spot and contact the freight forwarder to contact the shipping company for damage assessment.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of food packaging compliance, pre-packaged snacks need to use food-grade packaging materials, and cartons need to pass the compression test to avoid damage during transportation. For products with high moisture content, moisture-proof buffer materials should be added, and correct Chinese labels should be pasted.
The labels should include product name, ingredient list, production date, shelf life and other information. The customs inspection rate for Chinese labels has increased to 40% in 2026, so it is necessary to ensure that the label information is consistent with the official health certificate.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
In terms of supply chain planning, you can use the Shanghai bonded warehouse distribution mode. After storing the imported goods in the bonded warehouse, you can ship according to the order to reduce the cost of inventory backlog.
The storage fee of the bonded warehouse has been reduced by 10% in 2026, and it supports small-batch and multi-batch shipping. At the same time, you can establish an inventory linkage mechanism, adjust the import batches according to sales data, avoid the risk of unsalable goods, and improve the capital turnover efficiency.