cermaq seafood import agent full-process compliance guide

cermaq import agent: full-link compliance operations from overseas to Chinese port

As a world-leading marine aquaculture enterprise,Cermaq’s imports of high-end aquatic products such as salmon and trout in the Chinese market have been increasing year by year.However,the import process involves supervision by multiple departments including customs,commodity inspection,and animal and plant quarantine.Many traders often delay customs clearance due to issues like inconsistent documents and price verification disputes.As an import agent team with 20 years of experience in Shanghai Port,we combine the latest trade rules in 2026 to break down the core links and pitfall avoidance points of Cermaq’s imports.

I.Accurate Classification of HS Codes: Core Premise to Avoid Price Verification Disputes

In 2026,the General Administration of Customs updated the HS code declaration rules for imported aquatic products.Cermaq’s fresh salmon is classified under 03021100,and frozen salmon under 03031100.The tariff rates of these two codes have a 0.5% difference,and the price verification standards are also different.Last year,a batch of Chilean-origin Cermaq frozen salmon belonging to Mr.Yan was placed under customs control for inspection due to the miswriting of "frozen" as "fresh-frozen" in the declaration.Finally,the code was adjusted and 32,000 RMB in tariffs was paid.

The correct declaration elements should include: brand (Cermaq),production method,origin,farming method,packaging specification,fishing/farming date,and all information must be exactly consistent with the certificate of origin and bill of lading.Our team will complete the pre-examination of declaration elements 3 days in advance to avoid triggering customs control due to detail errors.

II.Customs Price Verification: Practical Skills to Deal with the 2026 New Supervision Model

The customs price verification model for imported aquatic products in 2026 has added the dimension of "trade entity credit rating".For traders importing for the first time,the price verification check rate has increased to 35%.For Cermaq products,customs will compare the transaction price range of similar products imported from Norway and Chile in the same period.If the declared price is lower than the lower limit of the range,a full set of transaction proof materials including contracts,invoices,payment slips,and domestic sales contracts must be provided.

Our practical experience is: Ask Cermaq headquarters for official quotations and annual trade agreements in advance to serve as evidence of price rationality; at the same time,clarify the differences between EXW and FOB terms,declare overseas freight and insurance premiums separately to avoid being included in the dutiable value leading to price verification adjustments.In 2025,we helped a Suzhou-based trader complete a Cermaq import project,saving about 48,000 RMB in extra taxes through this method.

III.Commodity Inspection Pre-examination and Animal and Plant Quarantine: Necessary Threshold for Food Import

Importing Cermaq aquatic products requires advance application for the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit".The approval cycle was shortened to 3 working days in 2026,but materials such as farming licenses,product inspection reports,and manufacturer filing certificates need to be submitted.The commodity inspection department will focus on checking whether the packaging meets China’s food contact material standards,and whether Chinese labels comply with GB7718-2024 standards,which must include 12 items such as product name,ingredients,production date,shelf life,and importer information.

The label inspection rate for imported aquatic products at Shanghai Port increased to 40% in 2026.Last year,a batch of Cermaq products from a Shanghai-based trader was required to rectify and re-label due to missing production batch numbers,delaying customs clearance by 2 days.Our team will complete document pre-examination 10 days in advance to ensure all compliance requirements are met.

IV.Import License and Foreign Exchange Settlement: Last Link of Compliance Risk Control

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange has strengthened transparent supervision of trade foreign exchange receipts and payments in 2026.Importing Cermaq products requires providing genuine trade background materials including customs declaration forms,contracts,invoices,and foreign exchange receipts and payments vouchers.If advance payment is adopted,the advance payment report must be completed in the foreign exchange monitoring system to avoid exchange loss risks caused by unreported matters.

In addition,the bill of exchange fee trap is a hidden cost that many traders easily overlook.Some freight forwarders will charge additional unmarked operation fees,document fees,etc.in the bill of exchange fee.We will clearly list all charge items including bill of exchange fees,customs declaration fees,inspection fees,etc.in the agency contract to avoid subsequent unnecessary disputes.For exchange rate fluctuation risks,we recommend using forward foreign exchange settlement and sale tools to lock in the exchange rate and control exchange losses within a reasonable range.

V.Practical Case: Pitfall-Avoiding Experience of a Cermaq Importer in East China

• Situation: In April 2026,a Hangzhou-based trader imported 12 tons of Cermaq frozen salmon from Norway,planning to clear customs at Shanghai Port before selling to the Yangtze River Delta market.Customs clearance within 7 days was required,otherwise customer breach of contract compensation would be faced
• Task: Ensure goods are cleared on time to avoid demurrage fees (0.05% of the cargo value per day)
• Action: Our team pre-examined the certificate of origin and animal and plant quarantine permit in advance,adjusted the declaration elements,declared freight separately,communicated the price range with the customs price verification department in advance,and coordinated the freight forwarder to arrange bill of exchange and inspection first
• Result: Goods were cleared on the 4th day,3 days ahead of the expected time,saving about 21,000 RMB in demurrage fees,no extra taxes incurred

VI.Risk Alert: 5 Compliance Red Lines for Importing Cermaq

• Strictly prohibit false declaration elements,especially brand,origin,and production method.Once inspected,goods will be detained,fined,etc.
• Do not ignore packaging and label compliance requirements.Chinese labels must comply with the latest national standards,otherwise rectification or return will be required
• No shipment without "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit".Import without a permit will lead to customs seizure of goods and liability investigation
• Do not confuse dutiable value calculation.Overseas freight and insurance premiums must be declared separately and shall not be included in the transaction value of goods
• Do not choose unqualified freight forwarders.Confirm in advance whether they have food import agent qualifications to avoid hidden costs and customs clearance delays

As an experienced import agent team at Shanghai Port,we can not only provide local customs clearance services in Shanghai,but also connect with ports across the country to complete cross-site declarations.Meanwhile,relying on our global agent network,we provide customers with one-stop services from overseas pickup,international logistics to domestic customs clearance to ensure full compliance and control of Cermaq’s imports.