Core Process Breakdown of Food Import Customs Clearance Agency

In 2026,the market size of imported food in Shanghai exceeded 30 billion yuan,with over 60% of enterprises choosing customs clearance agency services.Food import customs clearance,as the "last mile" from overseas to the domestic market,directly affects the circulation efficiency of goods after arrival at the port - if there is a mistake in the link,it will delay delivery and incur storage fees in mild cases,and face cargo return or fines in severe cases.Many enterprises have encountered customs clearance delays due to unfamiliarity with the latest quarantine policies or label requirements.This article,based on Zhongshen’s 20 years of industry experience,systematically sorts out the core process of food import customs clearance agency,precautions for each link,and the value of professional agents.

1.Preliminary Qualification Pre-review and Document Preparation (Goal: Ensure all qualifications are compliant and avoid rework later)

The core of this stage is to confirm whether the qualifications of imported food and related entities meet the latest regulatory requirements in 2026.The key actions include:

• Checkiftheimportedfoodisincludedinthe"AllowedImportedFoodCatalogue"(12categoriesofnichebakedfoodswereaddedtothecataloguein2026);
• Reviewthevalidityoftheforeignexporter’shealthregistrationcertificateandcertificateoforigin;
• Verifythebusinessscopeofthedomesticimporter’sbusinesslicenseandfoodbusinesspermit;
• Pre-reviewwhethertheChineselabelcomplieswithGB7718-2011andthe2026revised"GeneralRulesforNutritionLabelingofPrepackagedFoods"(whichrequiresthelabelingof"addedsugar"content).

Common problems: Some enterprises imported unapproved niche fermented foods because they did not check the access catalogue in advance,resulting in the inability to declare after the goods arrived at the port; other enterprises ignored the "imported food traceability label" newly required in 2026 and had their labels returned during the review.

Role of Zhongshen: Manager Gu’s team can update the 2026 access catalogue in real time through the General Administration of Customs database and inform the enterprise of the import feasibility 3 working days in advance; for label review,they provide "one-on-one modification suggestions".For example,a customer’s imported Japanese matcha powder failed to label "lead content",and Manager Gu’s team assisted in supplementing the test report and adjusting the label to avoid order returns.

2.Document Declaration and Tariff Calculation Before Goods Arrive at the Port (Goal: Complete document declaration in advance to reduce waiting time after goods arrive at the port)

In 2026,Shanghai Customs launched the "advance declaration" policy,and documents can be submitted 48 hours before the goods arrive at the port.The key actions in this stage include:

• Organizebasicdocumentssuchasbilloflading,invoice,packinglistandcontract;
• Accuratelyclassifythecommoditycode(someprocessednutcodeswereadjustedto0802.2290in2026);
• Calculatetariffs,value-addedtax,andconsumptiontax(somechocolatesaresubjecttoa10%consumptiontax);
• Submitquarantinedeclarations(includinganimalandplantquarantineandsanitaryquarantine).

Common problems: Incorrect commodity code classification leads to overpayment of tariffs (for example,an enterprise declared baked nuts under the "raw nuts" code and overpaid 2,000 yuan in tariffs); inconsistent document information (invoice quantity does not match the packing list) leads to rejection of the declaration.

Role of Zhongshen: Mr.Geng’s team has 15 years of customs declaration experience and can accurately match the newly adjusted commodity codes in 2026.A customer’s imported freeze-dried fruits were questioned by the customs due to incorrect codes,and Mr.Geng’s team provided product process descriptions and reclassified them to avoid cargo detention; they also established a "triple document review mechanism" to ensure zero errors in information.

3.On-site Inspection and Quarantine After Goods Arrive at the Port (Goal: Pass the inspection smoothly and avoid cargo detention)

In 2026,the inspection rate of various ports in Shanghai increased by 5% compared with 2025.The key actions in this stage include:

• Arrangespecialpersonneltodockforinspectionatthecustomssite;
• Cooperatewithcustomssamplingandinspection(frozenfoodsneedtobetestedformicroorganismsandpathogenicbacteria);
• Handleinspectionissues(suchasreattachinglabelsiftheyareblurred);
• Obtainthereleaseorderafterpayingthetariff.

Common problems: Frozen foods are required to be retested due to incomplete transportation temperature records; an enterprise’s imported red wine was required to rectify on-site by the customs because the Chinese label did not label the "country of origin".

Role of Zhongshen: Ms.Che’s team is familiar with the inspection procedures of Yangshan Port and Waigaoqiao Port and can make an appointment for inspection in advance.A customer’s frozen seafood faced tight inspection windows,and Ms.Che’s team coordinated to complete the inspection 2 days in advance; if the sampling is unqualified,they can assist in contacting a third-party testing institution with CMA certification to issue a re-inspection report within 24 hours.

4.Domestic Distribution and Follow-up Services After Release (Goal: Deliver goods in time and complete follow-up procedures)

The key actions in this stage include:

• Arrangecoldchaintransportation(thetemperatureoffrozenfoodsmustbekeptbelow-18℃throughouttheprocess);
• CompletetheattachmentofChineselabels(ifnotattachedinadvance);
• Assistinobtainingthe"InspectionandQuarantineCertificateforEntryGoods"(CIQ);
• Providetariffdeductionconsultation(thevalue-addedtaxofimportedfoodscanbefullydeductedin2026).

Common problems: Frozen foods deteriorate due to cold chain breakage; failing to obtain the CIQ certificate in time affects entry into supermarkets for sale.

Role of Zhongshen: All cooperating cold chain transportation companies have the latest 2026 "cold chain temperature monitoring certification",and the temperature can be traced throughout the process; Ms.Che’s team can assist enterprises in obtaining the CIQ certificate within 1 working day after release.A customer’s imported chocolate had a delay in the CIQ certificate,and Ms.Che’s team handled it urgently to avoid delays in supermarket shelves.

Comparison of Self-Clearance vs.Agency Clearance

Core Service Value of Zhongshen

Policy requirements for food import customs clearance are continuously updated in 2026,and enterprises’ self-handling is prone to risks due to information lag and insufficient experience.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for 20 years,focusing on the entire process of food import customs clearance,and its core values are reflected in:

• Real-timepolicyresponse:ManagerGu’steamsortsoutthelatestpoliciesoftheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsandtheStateAdministrationforMarketRegulationeveryweek,suchasthenewlyimplemented"MeasuresforTraceabilityManagementofImportedInfantFormulaFoods"inMarch,andinformsenterprisestoadjusttheirdeclarationmaterialsinadvance;
• Resourceintegrationcapability:Maintainlong-termcommunicationwithinspectiondepartmentsofvariousportsinShanghai,prioritizeinspectionarrangements,andreducecargodetentionattheport;
• Riskpredictionmechanism:Issuea"RiskAssessmentReport"duringthepreliminaryqualificationreviewstagetoavoidrisksinadvancefornichefoods,newnationalstandardsandotherriskpoints;
• Customizedservices:Provideexclusiveclearanceplansfordifferentfoodtypes(frozen,baked,alcoholic),suchasthe"pre-cooling+coldchainconnection"planforfrozenfoods.

If you have a need for food import customs clearance,Zhongshen can provide the entire process service from qualification review to domestic distribution,helping enterprises shorten the clearance cycle by more than 40% and reduce compliance risks by 80%.Choose a professional agent to make food import more efficient and compliant.