I.The Import Trade Situation and Market Opportunities of Japanese Biscuits

In recent years,with the deepening of Sino-Japanese economic and trade cooperation and the release of RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) dividends,Japan’s demand for food imports has continued to rise.According to data from the General Administration of Customs,from January to October 2023,the total value of food imports from Japan to China increased by 12.7% year-on-year,with baked goods (including cookies) accounting for 21% of the total,demonstrating significant market potential.Consumers’ preferences for Japanese cookies focus on labels such as "low sugar and low fat","traditional craftsmanship",and "no additives",driving steady growth in imports.However,it should be noted that the international trade environment is complex and volatile,with factors such as exchange rate fluctuations,technical trade barriers (TBT),and stricter customs supervision placing higher demands on importers’ professional operational capabilities.

II.Core services: Document processing and logistics management

As a core aspect of import agency services,document processing and logistics management directly affect customs clearance efficiency and cost control.

1.Document processing: Compliance control throughout the entire process chain

The import of Japanese biscuits requires providing a full set of trade documents,including but not limited to: Commercial Invoice,Packing List,etc.(FORM E,which grants tariff preferences under the RCEP),a health certificate issued by the Japanese Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare,a Certificate of Analysis (COA) specifying the types and contents of additives,and a Chinese-language label sample on the transport packaging (in compliance with GB 7718-2011 "General Principles of Labeling for Prepackaged Foods").Our agency team will review the completeness and consistency of all documents throughout the process,with a focus on verifying the following: 1.The qualifications of the origin certificate issuing authority; 2.The match between the "processing methods" in the health certificate and the declared HS code (e.g.1905.3100 for biscuits); 3.Whether the COA indicators such as "aflatoxin B1" and "total coliform count" comply with China’s "National Food Safety Standards" (GB 2761-2017).For foreign-language documents,we provide professional translation and customs registration support to avoid the risk of document rejection due to ambiguous interpretations.

2.Logistics Management: Multimodal Transportation and Time Efficiency Guarantee

The logistics solution needs to be customized based on the value of the goods,the batch size,and the time requirements.For small batches (less than 200 kg),the following recommendations are suggested:(For example,from Narita to Shanghai Pudong),the total journey takes about 3-5 days; for large cargo (over 1,000 kg),it is highly recommended to choose this route.For LCL (Less-than-Container Load) or FCL (Full-Container Load) shipments from Japanese ports in Kanto/Kansai to major Chinese ports (Shanghai,Tianjin,Qingdao),the voyage duration is approximately 7-10 days.For perishable biscuits containing cream and chocolate,we provide cold chain logistics solutions to ensure that the transportation temperature (2-8°C) complies with the "Hygiene Standards for Cold Chain Food Logistics" (GB 31605-2021).Our agency team will coordinate with shipping companies/airlines to secure priority cargo space,track logistics status in real time (via maritime EDI systems or airwaybill information),and transmit manifest data (AMS/ACI) to customs 24 hours in advance,thereby reducing customs clearance waiting times upon arrival.

III.Business Expansion into Russia: VTBAdvantage Analysis

If the client is involved in re-exporting to Russia or cross-border settlements (such as Japanese biscuits being distributed to the CIS countries via Russia),our company can rely on our cooperation with Russia to provide efficient and reliable services.Through long-term cooperation with VTB Bank,we provide efficient foreign exchange settlement services.As a systemically important bank in Russia,VTB maintains some settlement channels in the SWIFT system,supports direct RMB-ruble exchange (reducing USD exchange losses),and shortens the arrival time of overseas remittances to 1-2 working days compared with other Russian banks.Our agent team will assist clients in completing trade background reviews (such as contracts,bills of lading,and customs declarations to ensure "consistency of the three documents"),ensuring compliance with CIPS (the RMB cross-border payment system) and the Russian Central Bank’s foreign exchange control requirements,and reducing risks.Delay risk.

IV.Compliance Reminder: Necessary Certifications and Precautions for Importing Japanese Cookies

Please note: Our company does not directly provide product certification services,but we can advise clients on the compliance steps they need to complete independently.

① Japanese Exporter’s Qualifications: It is necessary to confirm that the production enterprise has been registered with the Japanese Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare (Food Business Operator Registration) and has passed the "Registration of Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Food" (filed by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) and can be checked through the "Internet + Customs" platform).

② Chinese label filing: Before importing,you need to submit the label samples and translation documents to the local customs office,with a focus on reviewing the standardization of information such as the "production date","shelf life",and "storage conditions".

③ Registration of Importers for Imported Food: The client needs to fill in the form for importing food products.After completing the enterprise information registration on the "Business Registration System",a 10-digit registration number will be issued (which should match the "Consumption Unit" column in the customs declaration form).

The above certifications must be handled by the client themselves or by a third-party agency.Our company can provide a list of required materials and guidance on the process to avoid the goods being detained at the port due to incomplete qualifications.

5.Full-process agency services: Practical operations from order placement to delivery

Based on the characteristics of Japanese cookie imports,the agency’s services cover nine major aspects:

• CustomerInquiry:ThroughprovidingbasicinformationsuchasHScodepre-classification(e.g.1905.3100correspondingto"biscuits,includingwafflesandcommunionbread"),tariffrates(15%forMost-Favored-Nationtreatment,reducedto13%undertheRegionalComprehensiveEconomicPartnershipAgreement(RCEP)in2023),andregulatoryrequirements(A/Bcustomsclearancedocuments),clarifythescopeofservices(e.g.whetheritincludesfinancingforpaymentonbehalfofclients).
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Reviewthe"qualityclauses"inthecontract(suchas"subjecttotheinspectionresultsuponarrival"),the"risktransferpoints"(FOBYokohamaorCIFShanghai),andthe"disputeresolutionmethods"(itisrecommendedtochoosetheChinaInternationalEconomicandTradeArbitrationCommission).
• Orders&Payment:HelpclientschoosebetweenT/T(30%prepayment+70%paymentuponreceiptofthebill)andL/C(irrevocableletterofcreditpayableonsight)),ifL/Cisused,itisnecessarytoverifythatthe“documentaryrequirements”matchthedocumentsthatcanactuallybeprovided;
• ProductionSupervision:Accordingtotheclient’sneeds,athird-partyinspectionagency(suchasSGS)canbeentrustedtoconductfactoryinspectionsinJapantoverifythesourcesofrawmaterials(e.g.whetherthewheatcomesfromnon-GMOproductionareas)andtheproductionenvironment(GMPcertificationstatus).
• LogisticsManagement:Asmentionedearlier,wewillcustomizetransportationsolutionsandcoordinatethebookingofshippingspace,whilesimultaneouslyhandlingthe"EntryAnimalandPlantQuarantinePermit"(iftheproductscontaindairyingredients).
• CustomsCompliance:Whenpre-enteringthecustomsdeclarationform,thekeyitemstobedeclaredinclude"specificationsandmodels"(e.g."200g/box,12boxes/case"),"brandname"(whichmustbeconsistentwiththetrademarkregistrationcertificate).Afterpayingthecustomsdutiesandvalue-addedtax(13%),thegoodswillundergocustomsinspection(suchasopeningthepackagingtocheckthelabelsandsendingsamplestothelaboratoryfortesting).
• DeliveryandDistribution:Aftercustomsclearance,wewillarrangedomesticdelivery(withintegratedwarehouseanddeliveryservicesavailable)andprovidethelogisticstrackingnumberanddeliveryconfirmation;
• QualityAssurance:Assistclientsinhandlingsituationswherecustomsinspectionsfailtomeetstandards(suchasmicroorganismexceedingthestandardrequiringthegoodstobereturnedordestroyed),andfileclaimsagainstJapanesesuppliersinaccordancewiththecontract;
• SummaryandFeedback:Providethe"ImportFull-ProcessReport",whichcoversdatasuchaslogisticsefficiency,customsclearancecosts,andasummaryofsingle-documentissues,tohelpclientsoptimizetheirsubsequentimportplans.

VI.Risk Control and Quality Assurance: Supporting a Hassle-Free Full-Lifecycle Import Process

In response to common risks in Japanese biscuit imports (such as non-compliant labels,moisture damage during transportation,and disputes over tariff classification),the agency team has established a full-cycle risk management system covering "pre-event,event,and post-event" phases: - Pre-event: Avoid over- or under-declaration by using HS code pre-classification services (with an accuracy rate of over 98%); - During event: Real-time monitoring of logistics temperature (for cold-chain biscuits) and customs inspection progress,with response to abnormalities within 48 hours; - Post-event: Provide "customs traceability" services,retaining customs declarations,tax invoices,and inspection and quarantine certificates for at least three years to meet customs audit requirements.

In terms of quality assurance,by establishing cooperation channels with domestic authoritative testing institutions (such as Huace Testing and Pony Testing),we can assist clients in booking third-party reinspection services after the goods arrive at the port (with the fees borne by the clients),ensuring that the goods meet sensory indicators such as "color,aroma,taste,and shape" and safety standards.

In summary,professional Japanese cookie import agency services require deep integration of document processing,logistics coordination,and trade compliance capabilities.Choosing an experienced agency team can effectively reduce customs clearance delays,cost overruns,and legal risks,allowing importers to focus more on market development and brand operations.