I.The current situation of the French biscuit import market and the value of agency services

In recent years,with the deepening of Sino-French trade and the upgrading of domestic consumption,French biscuits have continued to gain popularity in China’s high-end food market due to their traditional craftsmanship (such as Brest crepes and Bordeaux shortbread),high-quality ingredients (often using Normandy butter and Breton sea salt),and brand premiums.According to customs data,from January to October 2023,the value of biscuit imports from France to China (HS code 1905.31/1905.32) increased by 22% year-on-year.However,issues such as document compliance,logistics efficiency,and tariff calculation often lead non-professional enterprises to face customs clearance delays,high demurrage fees,or the risk of product rejection.Against this backdrop,professional services are increasingly needed to assist enterprises in addressing these challenges and ensuring smooth customs clearance and efficient logistics operations.The agency service,by integrating document processing,logistics coordination,and compliance management capabilities,has become the core support for enterprises to reduce import costs and avoid operational risks.

II.French biscuitsCore Services: Dual-Driven by Documentation and Logistics

(I) Document Handling: The "Passport" for Full-Chain Compliance

Output:

The core documents required for the import of French biscuits include: a commercial invoice (which must reflect the FOB/CIF price terms),a packing list (indicating the gross weight/net weight and packaging specifications),and a sanitary certificate issued by French authorities (certifying that the products comply with EU food hygiene standards).(If applicable to China-EU most-favored-nation treatment,a FORM E or a general certificate of origin is required),bill of lading (B/L),/(Main and sub-bills),Ingredient Analysis Report (including additive types and contents,which must comply with GB 2760-2014 "Food Additives Use Standards").Our agency team ensures document compliance through the "Three-Phase Audit Method": 1.Pre-audit stage: Check regulatory requirements (A/B customs clearance documents) based on HS codes (e.g.1905.3100 corresponding to "sweet biscuits"),and prompt clients to supplement missing documents (e.g.requiring a "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" for dairy products).2.Document preparation stage: Translate and standardize foreign-language documents (e.g.translating "allergens: milk,nuts" to "allergens: milk,nuts"),avoiding ambiguous expressions that could lead to customs inquiries.3.Declaration stage: Submit electronic data in collaboration with customs brokers,track the "document release" status in real time,and ensure document verification is completed within one working day.

(II) Logistics Management: A Precise Balance of Timeliness and Cost

Output:

Given the susceptibility of French biscuits to moisture (with a water content typically ≤8%) and their shelf life (generally 6-12 months),the logistics solution must prioritize transportation methods and temperature control measures: 1.Sea freight in full containers (FCL) is suitable for large quantities (≥15 tons),with direct routes from Marseille/Le Havre to Shanghai/Ningbo taking approximately 35 days.Dry cargo containers (requiring moisture-proof paper lining) are used.2.Air freight (DHL/TNT) is ideal for small-quantity,high-value orders (e.g.new product testing).The Paris-Shanghai route takes 48 hours and requires the use of insulated containers (temperature ≤25°C).3.LCL shipments reduce costs by consolidating multiple clients’ goods,but strict control over port consolidation timelines (to avoid delays exceeding 5 days causing biscuit moisture absorption) is essential.The agency team monitors logistics nodes in real time via the TMS (Transport Management System),sends advance "port arrival notifications" to clients 72 hours in advance,and coordinates document exchange at the destination port (e.g.electronic bills of lading or endorsed bills of lading).This streamlines customs clearance and pickup to within 3 working days of arrival,improving efficiency by 40% compared to industry averages.

III.Risk response and compliance management in the context of international trade

Currently,French biscuit imports face three major policy variables: 1.The EU’s "New Food Regulation" (EU 2015/2283) has strengthened allergen labeling requirements (e.g.products containing gluten must be labeled as "Contains gluten"),while China’s GB 7100-2015 mandates that Chinese labels must list all allergens.The agent team will focus on verifying label consistency during document review; 2.The 2023 China-France trade agreement maintains Most-Favored-Nation tariffs (10% import tariff for biscuits and 13% VAT),but note that if goods are transshipped via third countries (e.g.through Hamburg,Germany),a Certificate of Transshipment (CT-1 form) is required to qualify for tariff benefits; 3.The General Administration of Customs Announcement No.58 of 2023 reinforces sampling inspections for imported foods (with a sampling rate of approximately 5%).Agents can assist clients in preparing the required samples (generally 3-5 boxes) in advance and simultaneously provide the "Registration Number of Overseas Food Production Enterprises" (which clients must obtain independently from the General Administration of Customs).complete the filing in the “Merchant Filing System”).

IV.Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBAdvantages Boost Cross-Border Capital Flow

Some clients sell French biscuits to the Russian market through China (with the total value of Sino-Russian food trade increasing by 38% year-on-year in 2023).In this scenario,VTB Bank (Russia’s Foreign Trade Bank) offers significant advantages in foreign exchange settlement: 1.Stable multi-currency settlement channels (supporting EUR/RUB/CNY),and exchange rate locking services can reduce exchange loss (saving 1-2% of the spread compared to ordinary banks); 2.High compliance standards – VTB is a direct participant in the China-Russia Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS),enabling clients to avoid SWIFT sanction risks; 3.Fast settlement speed – EUR settlement arrives within T+2,and RUB settlement arrives within T+1.The agency team can assist clients with VTB account opening consultations and other related services.Document review (such as ensuring that the amounts on the commercial invoice and customs declaration match) and foreign exchange declaration (which requires submitting the "Registration Form for Foreign Exchange Business of Goods Trade") are necessary to ensure that the flow of funds and the customs clearance of goods proceed simultaneously.

5.A Detailed Explanation of the Entire Import Process: Nine Key Stages from Consultation to Feedback

• CustomerInquiry:Definethetypesofcookies(suchascrispycookies/chewycookies),ingredients(whethertheycontainchocolate/nuts),andannualimportvolumes(todeterminelogisticssolutions).Simultaneously,provideguidanceonHScodeclassification(e.g.productscontainingcocoashouldbeclassifiedunder1905.3200).
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Reviewthetradeterms(itisrecommendedtoadoptCIFterms,andlettheagentdesignatealogisticscompanytocontroltherisks),andagreeontheservicefees(usually1-3%ofthevalueofthegoods,includingthefeesfordocumentsandlogisticscoordination);
• Orders&Payment:AssistclientsinmakingpaymentsviaT/T(30%advance+70%uponarrival)orPaymentiscompleted(L/C—issuingbank’scredentialsmustbeverified);forRussia-relatedbusiness,VTBbankwiretransferisrecommended.
• ProductionSupervision:GototheFrenchfactorytoverifytheproductionrecords(suchasbakingtemperature,packagingsealingdegree),andconfirmthattheproductsmeetthemicrobiologicalindicatorsofGB7100-2015(totalcolonycount≤10000CFU/g);
• LogisticsManagement:Selectthetransportationmethodbasedonthecargovolume,coordinatewithshippingcompanies/airlinestobookshippingspace,generateanMBL(MasterBillofLading),andtracktheETD(EstimatedTimeofDeparture);
• CustomsCompliance:Pre-enterthecustomsdeclarationform(withaccuratedeclarationofthe"domesticconsignee"and"foreignconsignor"information),calculatethecustomsduty(duty-paidprice×10%)andvalue-addedtax((duty-paidprice+customsduty)×13%),andreleasethegoodswithinoneworkingdayafterpayment;
• DeliveryandDistribution:Arrangedomesticlogistics(coldchaintrucksorordinarytrucks,withtheneedtochecktheintegrityofthepackaging),anddeliverthegoodstotheclient’sdesignatedwarehouseordistributioncenter;
• QualityAssurance:Samplesubmissionforinspection(commissionedbySGSordomesticthird-partyinspectionagencies).Ifmoisturedamageorspoilageisdetected,assistclientsinclaimingcompensationfrominsurancecompanies(suchasPICC)ortheshippingparty;
• SummaryandFeedback:Providethe"ImportBusinessExecutionReport"(includinglogisticsefficiency,costdetails,andproblem-solvingrecords),settlethefinalpayment,andfilethedocuments(witharetentionperiodof5years).

VI.Certification Prompts and Service Boundary Explanation

The import of French biscuits may involve the following certifications,but our company does not directly provide processing services for them: 1.French export health certificate1.The certificate (issued by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food (DGAL)) requires customers to contact French suppliers to apply for it; 2.ISO 22000 Certification1.The (Food Safety Management System) can be used as a guarantee of product quality and it is recommended that clients require suppliers to provide it; 2.The (Food Safety Management System) can be used as a guarantee of product quality and it is recommended that clients require suppliers to provide it; 3.The (Food Safety Management System) can be used as a guarantee of product quality and it is recommended that clients require suppliers to provide it; 4.The (Food Safety Management System) can be used as a guarantee of product quality and it is recommended that clients require suppliers to provide it; 5.The (Food Safety Management System) can be used as a guarantee of product quality and it is recommended that clients require suppliers to provide it; 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Conclusion: The import of French biscuits is a business field where "market opportunities" coexist with "operational risks".Through professional agency services in document control,logistics optimization,and compliance management,enterprises can focus their efforts on market expansion and truly achieve "import without worries".Relying on 20 years of foreign trade experience,we use standardized processes and customized solutions to build a solid compliance barrier for every import of French biscuits,helping clients break through the import market efficiently.