2026 Full Guide to Dried Fruit Import Customs Clearance

I.Core Process of Dried Fruit Import Customs Clearance and Advantages of Agency Services

As a customs broker with 20 years of deep operation experience at Shanghai Port,we have encountered numerous cases where clients faced cargo port detention due to incomplete documents,incorrect classification or quarantine negligence.Last year,a Southeast Asian dried fruit importer failed to apply for Import Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit in advance,resulting in the detention of a full container of 120 tons of cashews at Yangshan Port,with daily port demurrage up to 8000 RMB.This article breaks down the whole "access - customs clearance - release" chain of dried fruit import customs clearance with real operation details,to help peers or enterprise owners avoid relevant risks.

1.Customs Valuation and Accurate HS Code Classification

Customs authorities have strict standards for dried fruit classification.Products with the same product name may apply for different HS codes due to differences in processing methods,packaging and ingredients.For example: Unshelled Unroasted Pistachios correspond to HS code 0802.1200 (10% tariff rate),Shelled Unroasted Pistachios correspond to HS code 0802.1000 (7% tariff rate).Last year,we handled a batch of pistachios imported from Iran.By verifying the "shelled" description in the Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture,we corrected the classification in time,directly saving 120,000 RMB in tariff costs.

• Key Action: Request suppliers to provide English MSDS and ingredient list,highlighting "seed content","roasting status" and "shelled/unshelled status"
• Pitfall to Avoid: Do not generally classify "mixed dried nuts" under HS code 08029090 (20% tariff rate),split classification according to the actual proportion of different ingredients

2.Commodity Inspection Pre-review and Quarantine Certificate Verification

Dried fruit import requires pre-approval of entry animal and plant quarantine,and the application shall be submitted 7 working days in advance.Two types of certificates shall be verified with priority: Official Quarantine Certificate of Exporting Country (which shall indicate "no fumigant used" and "product from non-epidemic area") and Certificate of Origin (FORM A or FORM R).When a client imported dried walnuts from the United States,the goods were detained for an additional 3 days in the commodity inspection process due to missing "non-GMO" declaration,resulting in 45,000 RMB port demurrage.

II.RCEP Member States Tariff Preference and Certificate of Origin Operation

RCEP tariff preference continues to deepen in 2026,which is a major benefit for dried fruit importers.Taking Thai dried durian as an example,FORM R certificate of origin can reduce the tariff from 12% MFN rate to 5%.However,in practical operations,we find that enterprises often miss the preference due to the following 3 problems:

• FORM R is not submitted to customs within 90 days after issuance
• declaration elements on customs declaration form are inconsistent with the "processing procedure" recorded on the certificate of origin
• the "substantial transformation" clause is ignored (simple packaging or repackaging does not meet the requirement)

When a client imported dried mango from Vietnam,we completed compliant declaration through the following steps: ① Request the supplier to add "processing procedure description" (e.g."only drying treatment is performed") at export; ② Submit the statement of no re-processing issued by the exporter together with the certificate of origin; ③ Mark "RCEP preferential tariff applicable" in the remarks column of the customs declaration form.The goods successfully enjoyed the tariff reduction in the end,saving 180,000 RMB of cost.

III.Common Risk Warning and Mitigation Solutions

In addition to customs clearance procedures,hidden costs of dried fruit import are often ignored.The following 3 types of risks require priority attention:

1.Commodity Inspection Verification and Label Specification

• Chinese label shall include: product name,ingredient list,country of origin,importer,production date,shelf life
• One client was fined 2000 RMB by the commodity inspection authority due to missing "allergen reminder" (e.g.containing peanut) on the label

2.Customs Valuation and Price Query

Customs authorities will verify the consistency between the declared price and import data.Supplementary explanation shall be prepared if the following situations occur: ① The import price is 15% higher than the average price of the same port in the previous 3 months; ② Related party transaction exists between the importer and supplier (e.g.internal pricing between parent and subsidiary companies).Last year,for a batch of dried durian imported from Malaysia whose declared price was 22% higher than the market average,we assisted the client in providing "processing technology difference explanation" (e.g.special drying technology applied),and finally passed the valuation verification.

3.Logistics Connection and Port Detention Cost

• Confirm port storage fee in advance: the cold storage storage fee at Yangshan Port is 0.8 RMB/ton/day,and the ordinary warehouse storage fee is 1.2 RMB/ton/day
• Bill of lading exchange fee trap: freight forwarders may overstate the "bill of lading exchange fee" which is actually only 150 RMB per shipment.We assisted the client to check the original documents and saved 3000 RMB in related cost

IV.Core Competence of Zhongshitong Agency Services

As a long-established customs broker at Shanghai Port,our differentiated advantages are reflected in the following aspects:

• National Port Interconnection: We can handle cross-region customs declaration at 12 coastal ports including Shanghai,Ningbo and Guangzhou,to avoid document rejection caused by inconsistency between the issuing place of certificate of origin and customs declaration place
• Global Agency Network: We have liaison offices in Thailand,Vietnam and Australia,which can assist clients in tracking the whole door-to-port logistics process
• Pre-review Team: We are staffed with more than 5 professionals holding Customs Declarant Qualification Certificate,who complete document pre-review 3 days in advance to lower inspection rate

(Note: For specific service process,please contact 139-1777-6136,we respond during 9:00-18:00 on workdays)

V.Typical Case S-T-A-R Analysis

Situation (S): A foreign trade company imported dried pitted cherries from Chile (unroasted,with a small amount of fruit pits),and could not complete customs clearance after cargo arrival due to the failure to apply for Import Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit in advance.Task (T): Complete quarantine approval and customs clearance within 72 hours to avoid daily demurrage of 8000 RMB.Action (A): ① Contact the supplier in Chile to reissue the "non-epidemic area certificate"; ② Submit the "permit application" to Shanghai Customs simultaneously; ③ Coordinate with commodity inspection authority to arrange expedited verification.Result (R): All procedures were completed within 3 days,the goods were released smoothly,and 24,000 RMB of demurrage was saved.

The above content is sorted out according to the latest 2026 customs regulatory requirements,and specific operations shall be subject to the real-time policies of the port.For further consultation or customized solution,you can contact the professional Zhongshitong team.