I.French biscuitsThe core value: Enabling trade efficiency through a professional service chain

In the import food trade,French biscuits are highly favored by the domestic market for their traditional craftsmanship and unique flavor.However,due to the complexity of international trade,enterprises often face challenges such as incomplete documentation,logistics delays,and compliance risks when importing independently.Professional import agency services,by integrating the entire supply chain capabilities including "document processing - logistics coordination - customs compliance",have become a crucial support for enterprises to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency.As a senior consultant with 20 years of experience in theAs a professional institution in the field,we focus on the French biscuit import scenario.Through standardized service processes and customized solutions,we provide clients with full-cycle support from demand coordination to final delivery.Our core strengths lie in the precise control of documentation and the dynamic optimization of logistics.

II.Opportunities and Challenges of French Biscuit Import in the Context of International Trade

Currently,Sino-French economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen.In 2023,China’s total food imports from France increased by 18% year-on-year,with baked products growing by 22% and the import demand for French biscuits showing a steady upward trend.However,opportunities and challenges coexist: on the one hand,the EU has strengthened food export supervision (such as the EC 178/2002 regulation requiring full-chain traceability),and China’s customs has tightened the access to imported food (according to the "Regulations on the Registration Management of Foreign Food Manufacturing Enterprises in China",French biscuit production enterprises need to complete registration in China); on the other hand,Price fluctuations (2023)Factors such as the comprehensive index dropping by 40% compared to 2021 but still remaining higher than pre-epidemic levels,and exchange rate risks (the euro-renminbi exchange rate fluctuating by more than 5% during the year) have placed higher demands on import cost control.Professional agency services can assist in policy interpretation,logistics solution optimization,and other aspects to help enterprises better manage their supply chains and reduce costs.A tool application that helps enterprises avoid external risks.

III.Full-process operation of import agency: dual-core control of documents and logistics

(I) Document Processing: The “Passport” for End-to-End Compliance

Output:

The import of French cookies involves more than 10 core documents,the integrity and consistency of which directly affect the efficiency of customs clearance.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.has established a "three-stage audit" mechanism:

• Preliminarypre-audit:AccordingtotheHScode(usually1905.31/1905.32,correspondingtosandwich/non-sandwichbiscuits),clarifythelistofrequireddocuments,includingacommercialinvoice(whichmustreflectthetransactionmethodsuchasCIF/FOB),apackinglist(indicatinggrossweight/netweight/volume),andasanitarycertificateissuedbytheFrenchauthorities(SanitaryCertificate,issuedbytheFrenchMinistryofAgricultureandFoodoritsauthorizedagencies).(FormEorGeneralCertificateofOriginCO,usedtoenjoypreferentialtariffrates),ingredientanalysisreport(whichmustincludeallergeninformationsuchasglutenanddairyproducts)andbilloflading(formaritimetransport).(masterairwaybill).
• Middle-termnuclearverification:Afterthegoodsareshipped,wewillsimultaneouslychecktheinformationinthedocuments(suchasensuringthattheinvoiceamountmatchesthecontractandthatthevalidityperiodofthehealthcertificatecoversthearrivaltimeattheport),toensurethat"thedocumentsandinvoicesareconsistent"andavoidcustomsrejectionduetoincorrectormissinginformation.
• Post-productionarchiving:Afterthecustomsclearanceiscompleted,organizeallthedocuments(includingthecustomsdocuments).Thesystemautomaticallygeneratesvariousdocuments(suchasinvoicesandtaxinvoices),providingenterpriseswithtraceabletradearchivesandsupportingsubsequenttaxrefundsorqualitytraceability.

(II) Logistics Management: An "Efficiency Engine" for Dynamic Collaboration

Output:

Given the fragility of French cookies and their shelf life (usually 6-12 months),the logistics solution needs to balance cost and efficiency:

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Forlargeshipments(over20-footcontainers),maritimetransportisthepreferredoption(withcostsapproximatelyone-fifthofairfreightandadeliverytimeof35-45days),requiringtheuseofstandarddrycargocontainers(toavoidtemperatureandhumidityfluctuations).Forsmall-scaleurgentorders,airfreightisrecommended(withadeliverytimeof7-10days),andadistributionmodelisadoptedtoreducetheper-kilogramfreightcost.
• Bookingashippingspaceandpurchasinginsurance:Bookashippingspacewiththeshippingcompany/airline15daysinadvancetosecuretheslot;purchaseanAllRisksinsurancepolicytocoverriskssuchascollisionsandmoistureduringtransportation,withtheinsuredamountsetat110%oftheCIFprice.
• Destinationportoperation:3daysbeforearrival,completethedocumentexchange(obtainingthedeliveryorderD/O)andsimultaneouslytransmitthecustomsdeclarationdatatothecustomsoffice;aftercustomsclearance,coordinatewithdomestictruckingcompaniestodeliverthegoodstothedesignatedwarehouseusingboxtrucks,andmonitorthetemperature(recommended20-25°C)andvibrationfrequencythroughouttheentireprocess.

IV.Special Scenario Response: The Advantages of VTB Foreign Exchange Settlement for Russian Transit Businesses

Some enterprises have expanded their French biscuit sales network by re-exporting to Russia,and at this time,the efficiency and safety of foreign exchange settlement have become crucial.Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its long-term cooperation with VTB Bank (one of Russia’s largest state-owned commercial banks) to provide targeted foreign exchange settlement solutions:

• CircumventingSWIFTrestrictions:ThroughtheRMBclearingchannelofVTBBank,directruble-RMBsettlementcanbeachieved,shorteningthesettlementtime(reducingitby2-3workingdayscomparedwiththetraditionalpath).
• Exchangeratelockingservice:Weofferspotforeignexchangesettlementandforwardforeignexchangelockingoptions,allowingenterprisestochoosebasedonexchangeratetrendstoreducetheriskofexchangeloss(forexample,lockinginanexchangerateof6.9toavoidlossesfromsubsequentfluctuations).
• ComplianceAssurance:VTBBankstrictlyadherestotheregulationsontradesettlementbetweenChinaandRussia,ensuringthattheflowoffunds,theflowofgoods,andtheflowofdocumentsareintegratedintoasingleprocess,thusavoidingtherisksofmoneylaunderingandsanctions.

V.Certification Advisory: Compliance Preparations for Clients to Complete Themselves

Special note: Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.does not directly provide product certification services.However,based on our experience,we suggest that clients prepare the following key certifications in advance:

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:AccordingtoDecreeNo.248oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms,Frenchbiscuitproducersneedtoregisterthroughthe"RegistrationManagementSystemforOverseasFoodManufacturers"(registrationtype"OtherFood")toobtainaregistrationnumberinChina(formattedasCN+6-digitcountrycode+10-digitenterprisenumber).
• Chineselabelfiling:ImportedbiscuitsmustbeaffixedwithaChineselabelthatcomplieswithGB7718-2011(GeneralPrinciplesfortheLabelingofPrepackagedFoods),whichincludestheproductname,ingredientlist,productiondate,shelflife(whichmustbeconsistentwiththeoriginalpackaging),andtheimporter’snameandaddress.Thelabelsamplesmustberegisteredwiththelocalcustomsofficebeforeimportation.
• Foodadditivecompliance:ThefoodadditivesusedinFrenchbiscuits(suchasleaveningagentsandpreservatives)mustcomplywithChina’sGB2760-2014standard.Enterprisesneedtorequiresupplierstoprovideinstructionsfortheuseofadditivesandtestingreports.

VI.Risk Control and Quality Assurance: Professional supervision throughout the entire process

(I) Production Stage: Third-Party Inspection Involvement

Output:

During the order production phase,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.can coordinate with international third-party inspection agencies such as SGS and BV to conduct on-site inspections of raw material procurement (e.g.protein content in flour,fat content in butter),production environment (workshop cleanliness,temperature control),and packaging sealing,and issue inspection reports (INSPECTION CERTIFICATE) to ensure that the products meet the specifications stipulated in the contract (e.g.weight error ≤ 2%,broken biscuit rate ≤ 5%).

(II) Customs Stage: Tariff Classification and Inspection Response

Output:

Customs inspection is a critical step in the import process.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.reduces the risk of inspection through the following measures:

• Pre-classificationofHScodes:Accordingtotheingredientsofthebiscuits(e.g.thosewithacocoacontentofmorethan3%areclassifiedundercode1905.32,whileothersareclassifiedundercode1905.31),andthepackagingform(individualpackaging/bulkpackaging),itisnecessarytoapplyforapre-classificationdecisionfromthecustomsinadvancetoavoiddelaysincustomsclearanceduetoclassificationdisputes.
• Verifytheaccompanyingpersonandprovideanexplanation:Duringtheinspection,weprovidethegoodssamples(forsensoryinspection),ingredientreports(forlaboratorytesting),andproductionprocessdescriptions(forfunctionalidentification)toassistthecustomsincompletingtheinspection(withtheaverageinspectiontimereducedto2workingdays).

(III) Delivery Stage: Final Inspection and Issue Resolution

Output:

After the goods arrive,Zhong Shen International Trade Company will work with the client to complete the final inspection: checking the quantity (with an error rate of ≤0.5%),inspecting the integrity of the packaging (no damage,no leakage),and sending samples for testing (to the local customs technical center to test for microorganisms,heavy metals,etc.).If there are quality issues (such as mold growth or label errors),we will assist the client in initiating the return or claim process and simultaneously submit the claim materials to the insurance company (within 48 hours after the discovery of the damage).

VII.Cooperation Feedback and Long-Term Value: Data-Based Reports and Service Optimization

After the cooperation is completed,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.will provide an "Import Full-Process Analysis Report",which covers the following aspects:

• Time-effectanalysis:Thetimerequiredforeachstep(e.g.bookingashippingspacetakes3days,customsclearancetakes5days),withannotationsofdelaypointsandimprovementsuggestions;
• Costbreakdown:Detailedoceanfreightcharges,customsduties(15%most-favored-nationtariffrate),value-addedtax(13%),andotherexpensessuchascustomsclearancefees.Providecostoptimizationsolutions(e.g.reducingunitfreightchargesbybookingbulkshipments).
• SinceJanuary2025,RussiahasmadeitmandatorytoregisterforEPR(ExtendedProducerResponsibility):Basedontheissuesexposedduringthisimportprocess(suchastheapproachingexpirationdateofthehealthcertificate),wehighlightthedetailsthatneedattentioninfuturecollaborations(e.g.requiringsupplierstoissuecertificatesonemonthinadvance).Throughdata-drivenfeedback,weassistenterprisesinestablishingreplicableimportprocesses,enablingavalueupgradefrom"one-timecooperation"to"long-termoptimization".

Conclusion: The essence of French cookie import agency services lies in reducing trade barriers through professional services.Zhong Shen International Trade relies on two core competencies—documentation and logistics—combined with accurate understanding of the international trade landscape and flexible responses to specific scenarios,to provide enterprises with "safe,efficient,and traceable" import solutions.It is particularly important to emphasize that certification compliance is a prerequisite for importation,and enterprises need to plan ahead.The value of agency services lies not only in operational execution,but also in helping clients avoid hidden risks through accumulated experience,ultimately enhancing both trade efficiency and profitability.