I. Analysis of Market Trends and Trade Situation for Imported German Dark Chocolate

In recent years, China’s imported-food market has kept expanding. German dark chocolate—thanks to its high cocoa content (often 70 % or more), strict production standards (in line with EU regulation EC 2000/36) and distinctive flavor—has become a sought-after segment of premium-chocolate consumption. According to 2023 data from the General Administration of Customs of China, Germany’s chocolate exports to China rose 18 % year-on-year in value, accounting for 32 % of the EU’s total chocolate shipments to China, underscoring significant market potential.

In the current international trade environment, the EU has tightened its oversight of food exports to China. Chinese customs, following the Administrative Provisions on the Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import (Decree 248), has intensified its admission reviews. Meanwhile, after the RCEP agreement took effect, certain German chocolates that meet the rules of origin can enjoy tariff preferences (HS code 18063200, MFN rate 8%, possibly reduced to 0–5% under RCEP). In addition, stable Sino-German economic and trade relations—bilateral trade reached €297.9 billion in 2023—provide a solid policy foundation for dark-chocolate imports.

II.Import Agent ServicesCore Competencies: Dual-Driven Document Processing and Logistics Services

(1) Professional Document Processing: The Key to Avoiding Customs Clearance Risks

The import of German dark chocolate involves more than ten categories of core documents; an agent’s ability to handle them directly affects customs-clearance efficiency and compliance. With 20 years of experience, our documentation team can systematically complete the following:

• Basic Trade Documents: Verify the consistency among the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading to ensure that the product names, specifications, and quantities match the actual goods;
• Officially certified document: Verify the health certificate issued by the German authorities (Health Certificate),Origin Certificate(Certificate of Origin, e.g., EU FORM EUR.1), confirming that the manufacturing enterprise has been registered in China (verifiable through the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China “Registration Information Query Platform for Overseas Food Manufacturing Enterprises for Import”).
• Test report: Review the ingredient test report issued by a DAkkS-accredited German laboratory (which must include cocoa butter content, microbiological indicators, etc.) and verify compliance with the heavy-metal (lead and cadmium) limits specified in China’s GB 9678.2-2014 “Chocolate, Chocolate Substitute, and Their Products.”
• Special documents: If organic certification (EU EC 834/2007) is involved, a copy of the organic certificate must be provided; however, it should be clearly understood that our company does not offer certification services and only assists in verifying the validity of the certificate.

It is worth noting that if the goods are transshipped through a third country (e.g., via Rotterdam, the Netherlands), an additional Non-manipulation Certificate must be provided to avoid return due to "origin fraud."

(II) End-to-End Logistics Management: A Precise Balance Between Cost and Timeliness

German dark chocolate is mostly made withMaritime transport(accounting for 85%) orAir freight(Urgent Order) Transportation: Leveraging our long-term partnerships with carriers such as MSC, Maersk, and Lufthansa Cargo, we can provide tailored logistics solutions.

• Selection of transportation methods: Full-container load (FCL) suits high-volume imports (≥15 t), while less-than-container load (LCL) works for smaller batches (5–15 t), cutting the unit freight cost; air freight is for new-product testing or holiday stock-ups (transit time ≈ 5–7 days, cost ≈ 3–5× that of ocean freight);
• Transport condition control: Dark chocolate has a melting point of approximately 34 °C; during ocean freight, a temperature-controlled container (Reefer Container) must be selected, set to 20–22 °C with 60 %–70 % humidity, and the bill of lading must state “temperature-control required”;
• Customs Clearance Coordination: Complete pre-clearance three days before arrival, simultaneously submit the Customs Declaration, tariff classification (HS code 18063200), and electronic origin-certificate data, enabling “direct pick-up alongside the vessel” or “release upon arrival,” cutting average clearance time to 2–3 working days;
• Domestic distribution: Partner with JD Logistics, SF Express, and others to provide door-to-door delivery, with bonded warehouse storage (e.g., Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone) or direct distribution to distributor warehouses.

III. Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBConvert foreign exchange into RMBEnhanced capital efficiency

If the client is involved with RussiaRe-export Services(such as German dark chocolate distributed through Russia to CIS countries), our company, by cooperating with Russiaforeign tradeCooperation with VTB Bank can provide the following foreign-exchange settlement conveniences:

• Multi-currency settlement: Supports settlement in both EUR and RUB, locking in exchange-rate risk (e.g., via forward FX sales).
• Fast crediting: VTB has established a SWIFT direct connection with major Chinese banks (e.g., Bank of China), cutting cross-border remittance arrival time to 1–2 business days (versus 3–5 days via the conventional route);
• Compliance guarantee: Assist in reviewing whether trade with Russia complies with the OFAC (U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions list, to avoid account freezes due to "secondary sanctions."

IV. Full-process Import Agency Services: Closed-loop management from consultation to feedback

Our agency service strictly follows a “9-step standardized process,” ensuring every stage is controllable and traceable:

1. Client Consultation: Clarify the service scope through a requirements questionnaire (covering import volume, target ports, sales channels, etc.) and assess whether special supervision is involved (e.g., cold-chain transport);
2. Negotiation and Contract Signing: Review key contract clauses (e.g., quality standard “cocoa content ≥70%”, delivery term “arrival at port within 30 days after vessel departure”, dispute resolution “China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission”) to avoid “soft clause” risks;
3. Orders & Payment: Based on the order value, the recommended payment terms are as follows: 50% deposit + 50% against bill of lading by T/T for established customers; 100% at sight?L/C?L/C is applicable to new suppliers) and assists in issuing standby letters of credit (Standby L/C);
4. Production supervision: Coordinate third-party inspections (e.g., SGS), verify raw-material batches (cocoa beans must originate from disease-free areas), and ensure packaging compliance (Chinese labels must state “Country of Origin: Germany” and “Importer’s name and address”);
5. Logistics Management: After booking, provide the vessel name and voyage number, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and insure against All Risks for 110% of the CIF value;
6. Customs Compliance: Calculate the comprehensive tax rate (tariff + VAT; e.g., 0 % tariff under RCEP plus 13 % VAT) and assist with filing for the record of imported food consignees (to be completed by the customer; we provide operational guidelines);
7. Delivery and Distribution: Complete the D/O exchange within 24 hours after arrival at the port, arrange for commodity inspection and examination (sampling for testing, results available in 7–10 working days), and deliver to the designated location upon passing inspection;
8. Quality Assurance: Complete the unpacking inspection within 7 days after arrival (sampling rate 5%); if any damage or quality issues are found, assist in filing claims with the insurance company or supplier;
9. Summary Feedback: Provide the "Import Data Report" (including customs clearance time, logistics costs, and tax rate details), settle the final payment, and file the documents (5-year retention, compliant with customs audit requirements).

V. Customer Notice: Certification and Risk Disclosure

Importing German dark chocolate may involve the following certifications (we do not provide application services, but we can assist in reviewing documents):

• Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import: German manufacturing enterprises must register with the General Administration of Customs (registration numbers can be queried through the “Internet + Customs” platform);
• Halal certification: If the target market is a Muslim region, halal certification issued by Malaysia’s JAKIM or Indonesia’s MUI is required;
• Kosher Certification: For the Jewish consumer segment, certification by the Israeli Rabbinate is required.

Risk reminder: Some small German manufacturers may not have completed China registration; before acting as an agent, verify against the “Overseas Enterprise Registration Whitelist” provided by our company. In addition, dark chocolate containing dairy ingredients (e.g., milk fat) requires an additional “Import Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit”; failure to obtain it may result in return of the goods.

Conclusion: Importing German dark chocolate is a dual test of “professionalism + attention to detail.”Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.With 20 years of experience as a foreign-trade agent, we use documentation as our shield and logistics as our spear, helping clients break through customs barriers efficiently and seize first-mover advantage in the premium chocolate market. From consultation to delivery, we remain the import partner you can trust.