What is the complete specific operation process of olive oil import entrusted agency from overseas
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I am a newcomer who just started the offline retail of imported food. Last month, I found a small agent to ship two containers of Spanish olive oil for the first time. As a result, the cargo was detained because the labels did not meet the new regulations.
The goods were stranded at the port for a week, I was fined nearly 20,000 yuan, and the cargo was almost returned. It took me a long time to solve all the problems. Now I plan to ship another four containers of olive oil from different producing areas this month.
I don't want to have any problems this time, so I want to find a formal import agency for cooperation. But I have no idea about the formal agency operation process, what materials need to be prepared in advance, and what compliance risks need to be noted. Could you please explain in detail how the olive oil overseas import agency works, and what work do I need to cooperate with on my side?
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
The whole process of olive oil import agency is disassembled as follows. You can promote the work according to the nodes to achieve smooth and compliant implementation.
The first step is pre-procedure document review. You need to provide the agency with the certificate of origin，official health certificate，plant quarantine certificate，filling date certificate and color sample of original labels in advance. The agency will check the contents in advance against the 2025 Edition Administrative Specifications for Imported Food Labels，confirm that the markings of nutrition facts，country of origin and distributor information on the Chinese labels meet the requirements，and assist in completing the domestic consignee filing，and apply for the entry animal and plant quarantine approval in advance to avoid document inconsistency problems from the source.
The second step is core node connection. The agency will contact the overseas shipper in advance to confirm the transportation information，arrange booking and document exchange in advance，complete the pre-input of customs declaration 3 working days before the goods arrive at the port，check the declared price and HS code classification，ensure accurate classification and avoid triggering price verification warning，and synchronously contact the port quarantine department to make an appointment for inspection plan to reduce waiting time.
The third step is abnormality response plan. For common abnormalities such as label rectification，sampling test non-conformity，and price verification disputes，the supporting documents for supplementary certificate application，label re-sticking and price negotiation shall be prepared in advance. Once abnormality occurs，the rectification can be initiated within 1 working day to avoid high demurrage fees caused by long-term port stranding.
The last step is compliant implementation. After inspection and release，the agency will arrange to pick up the goods and deliver them to your designated warehouse，assist in applying for the Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Imported Food Entry，and complete follow-up closing work such as foreign exchange settlement and tax declaration. Under normal circumstances，the whole process from port arrival to goods pick-up only takes 3-5 working days.
EllaYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Financial AdvisorStart a Chat
The olive oil import declaration link needs to focus on HS code classification and customs price verification. Olive oils with different acidity correspond to different HS codes and different tax rates. Wrong classification will lead to wrong applicable tax rate and trigger subsequent customs audit. Customs price verification for olive oil will refer to the public transaction prices of same period and same producing area.
If the declared price is lower than the interval value, customs will initiate price negotiation. It is necessary to prepare price supporting materials such as foreign exchange payment vouchers, original manufacturer invoices and trade contracts in advance. If there are situations such as bookkeeping and document suspension, it is necessary to sort out the declaration logic in advance to form a complete price evidence chain, so as to avoid customs clearance delay caused by price verification disputes.
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat
Olive oil is a kind of liquid food cargo. The import logistics link needs to focus on route selection and cargo right control. For shipments from major European producing areas such as Spain and Italy, direct voyage to East China ports in China can save 3-5 days of voyage compared with routes transiting via Hong Kong, and avoid package damage caused by container change during transit. It is necessary to apply to the shipping company for a free storage period of more than 14 days in advance, to avoid high container demurrage fees and port demurrage fees caused by abnormal customs clearance.
The original bill of lading shall be controlled throughout the whole process, and the document shall not be released to overseas parties in advance to ensure the safety of cargo right. If bill of lading endorsement transfer is required, the continuity and validity of the endorsement shall be verified.
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat
VAT deferral can be applied for olive oil import, which means VAT does not need to be paid in advance at the import link, and can be directly deducted at the sales link, which can revitalize the enterprise's cash flow and reduce capital occupation cost. It is necessary to confirm that the enterprise has the access qualification for VAT deferral. At present, most major domestic ports support VAT deferral operation for food import.
It is necessary to confirm the port policy with the agency in advance, and keep relevant materials such as purchase contracts, customs declaration forms and payment vouchers to meet the requirements of subsequent tax verification and avoid tax risks. Enterprises can choose whether to apply for this policy according to their own cash flow situation.
OliviaYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
The receipt and payment of foreign exchange for olive oil import must comply with the current cross-border payment compliance requirements. At present, CIPS cross-border RMB payment is available. Compared with SWIFT, it can reduce exchange loss, shorten the arrival time, and avoid exchange rate fluctuation risks.
The amount of foreign exchange receipt and payment must be consistent with the transaction amount on the customs declaration form. If there is situation of paying foreign exchange in batches, the foreign exchange payment registration shall be completed in advance to avoid abnormal settlement and account closing. If an offshore account is used to pay for the goods, complete transaction flows and correspondence shall be retained to meet the verification requirements of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Legal AdvisorStart a Chat
The trade contract for imported olive oil shall explicitly exclude soft clauses of letter of credit, specify the specific clauses of responsibility division if cargo detention is caused by label compliance problems, and clarify the scope of force majeure clauses, covering common emergencies such as port congestion and policy adjustment.
If cargo right transfer is involved, the time node and handover process of transfer shall be clearly specified, and the overseas party shall be required to provide a qualified bank guarantee to protect one's own rights and interests. If branded olive oil import is involved, intellectual property customs protection filing shall be completed in advance to avoid infringement risks.
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat
For on-site customs inspection of olive oil import, first of all, the authenticity of the container seal shall be verified, confirming that the seal number is consistent with the mark on the bill of lading. If the seal is damaged, photos shall be taken for evidence immediately, and inspection officers shall be invited to confirm the cargo damage situation together. Relevant original manufacturer's certification documents shall be prepared in advance for container unpacking inspection, to cooperate with inspection officers to verify the product name, quantity, weight and place of origin.
If the cargo is selected for sampling inspection and identification, the sampling inspection application form shall be filled in cooperatively, and the issuance progress of the test report shall be followed up. If the report shows conformity, the cargo can be released immediately. If there is non-conformity, re-inspection can be applied for in accordance with the procedures.
WilliamYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics AdvisorStart a Chat
Olive oil is generally transported in iron drums or glass bottles. Reinforcement measures for packages shall be taken according to the transportation mode. Honeycomb buffer pads shall be added for glass bottle packages, with moisture-proof and anti-collision treatment, to avoid package breakage and liquid leakage caused by storm jolting during sea transportation.
Qualified MSDS shall be prepared in advance, clarifying the composition, transportation and storage requirements of olive oil, confirming that olive oil is not a dangerous good. If disposable wooden packaging is used, it shall meet the quarantine requirements of domestic imported packaging, and the packaging disinfection treatment shall be completed in advance to avoid cargo return caused by unqualified packaging.
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat
The olive oil import business needs to optimize the supply chain structure in combination with domestic sales and inventory situation. If domestic end demand is stable, the mode of bulk import plus bonded warehousing can be adopted to reduce the unit logistics cost and flexibly adjust the shipment rhythm.
In terms of trade term selection, if you want to control logistics cost and cargo right, it is recommended to choose FOB term and arrange the domestic logistics by yourself, which is easier to control cost than CIF term, and can avoid extra markup brought by the logistics designated by overseas parties. The import plan can be adjusted dynamically according to the exchange rate and sea freight fluctuation in different quarters to control the overall procurement cost.