What core documents and materials are required for imported food customs clearance agency?
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I am the person in charge of a trading company that has just stepped into the imported snack business. Last week, we shipped a batch of prepackaged dried mangoes from Thailand, which is expected to arrive at Shanghai Port next week. We have no prior experience in food import, and we heard that customs clearance documents are very complicated.
We are afraid of missing any materials that may lead to cargo seizure, and the port detention fee costs thousands of yuan per day, which makes us very anxious. We want to confirm exactly what materials need to be prepared, especially the special requirements for prepackaged food, and whether there are new policy changes in 2026 that affect the document list.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
First of all，details of pre-document review should be sorted out: core materials include the registration number of overseas production enterprises (which needs to be filed with the General Administration of Customs of China)，certificate of origin，official health certificate，Chinese label sample and its translation，component testing report (covering indicators such as microorganisms and heavy metals). Under the new requirements added in 2026，imported prepackaged food is required to provide a compliance statement of nutrition facts table，which shall be issued by the overseas production enterprise or its authorized institution.
In terms of core node alignment: 7 days before the cargo arrives at the port，the agency shall complete the pre-review of documents，to confirm that all materials are consistent with the information on the customs declaration form. If special foods are involved (such as dairy-containing products and nuts)，a risk assessment report shall be submitted to the inspection and quarantine department in advance. During the customs clearance process，if the customs document review finds any missing materials，supplementary documents shall be provided within 48 hours，otherwise the port detention procedure will be triggered.
Abnormal contingency plan: If the Chinese label does not meet the national standard，application for label rectification can be submitted，which shall be completed and resubmitted within 3 working days. If the health certificate is altered，contact the overseas issuing institution to re-issue the document，and provide corresponding notarial documents at the same time. To achieve final compliance，all documents must match the cargo information，and the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Imported Goods" can be obtained after passing the inspection and quarantine.
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat
In the valuation link of imported food customs clearance, special attention shall be paid to the completeness of documents. In addition to basic certificates, trade contract, commercial invoice and packing list shall be provided, and the cargo value and quantity of the three documents shall be completely consistent. If the customs has objections to the declared cargo value, supplementary materials such as foreign exchange payment voucher, copy of letter of credit or market price certificate of similar products shall be provided. In 2026, the customs will roll out the intelligent customs valuation system, which significantly improves the identification accuracy of under-declared cargo value. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the declared cargo value on the documents is true and reasonable, to avoid form deletion, re-declaration or fines.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
In the logistics link, the documents for imported food shall be consistent with the information on the bill of lading. The consignee and notify party on the bill of lading shall be consistent with those on the customs declaration form. For order bill of lading, endorsement and transfer shall be completed in advance. After the cargo arrives at the port, the free storage period is usually 7 days, and the container detention fee will be calculated from the 8th day. If insufficient document preparation leads to customs clearance delay, application for free storage period extension shall be submitted in advance with written application and relevant supporting documents. In addition, temperature record sheet shall be provided for cold chain food, to confirm that the whole transportation process meets the temperature control requirements, otherwise re-inspection may be required.
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The tax-related documents for imported food include special VAT payment receipt and tariff payment receipt. The 2026 VAT deferral policy applies to some ports. Enterprises can apply for deferred VAT payment, and need to provide a copy of tax registration certificate and bank guarantee. In addition, if the imported food enjoys tariff reduction or exemption, the certificate of origin and preferential trade agreement certificate shall be provided to ensure the compliance of tariff preferences. It should be noted that all tax-related documents shall be declared within 15 days after customs clearance, otherwise late payment surcharge will be incurred.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
For the foreign exchange receipt and payment link, customs declaration form for foreign exchange receipt, commercial invoice and contract shall be provided. In 2026, the CIPS Cross-border Interbank Payment System implements stricter review on the receipt and payment of foreign exchange for food import, so it is necessary to ensure that the capital flow is completely consistent with the goods flow. If settlement is made through offshore account, the offshore account opening certificate and capital source statement shall be provided. In addition, the Directory of Enterprises Engaged in Trade Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment shall be filled in during foreign exchange settlement, to ensure compliance and avoid foreign exchange control risks.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
The legal documents related to imported food include IPR customs protection record (if trademark is involved) and force majeure clause certificate (if cargo delay occurs). If settlement is made via letter of credit, attention shall be paid to the consistency between L/C clauses and customs clearance documents, to avoid soft clause traps. In addition, Chinese labels shall comply with the requirements of Food Safety Law, and any false labeling may lead to administrative penalty. It is recommended to clarify the division of document responsibilities in the contract, to avoid legal risks caused by false documents provided by overseas suppliers.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
During on-site inspection, packing list, label sample and inspection and quarantine certificate shall be provided. Inspectors will verify the consistency between cargo and documents. If any label is found inconsistent with the submitted sample, rectification shall be carried out immediately. If the cargo needs to be sent for laboratory test, sampling note and testing application shall be submitted, and the test report will usually be issued within 5 working days. In addition, it is necessary to verify the authenticity of customs seal, making sure the seal number is consistent with that on the bill of lading. If the seal is damaged, damage certificate and re-sealing record shall be provided.
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat
From the perspective of supply chain, the documents for imported food shall be linked with inventory management. Preparing documents in advance can shorten customs clearance time and reduce inventory cost. It is recommended to adopt the CIF Incoterms, so that the supplier takes charge of transportation and insurance, which reduces the complexity of document preparation. In addition, it is recommended to establish a document management system to store all documents in digital form, which facilitates subsequent audit and query. Under the digitalization trend of supply chain in 2026, the application of electronic documents will greatly improve customs clearance efficiency, and enterprises need to adapt to the requirements of electronic customs declaration in advance.