New Dynamics in China-France Food TradeDemand Analysis

In recent years,as Chinese consumers’ demand for high-quality imported food has surged,French biscuits—thanks to their traditional craftsmanship and distinctive flavors—have seen their share of the Chinese market grow by more than 15 % annually.However,the EU enforces stringent SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures on food exports,while Chinese customs have been progressively refining labeling,ingredient,and quarantine requirements for pre-packaged foods,all of whichCost fluctuations and exchange-rate risks leave companies that import on their own facing three pain points: “documents are error-prone,logistics are hard to control,and compliance risks are high.” Professional import-agency services,by integrating expertise in document handling,logistics coordination,and trade compliance,have become the core choice for companies to cut costs and boost efficiency.

Core Import Agency Services: Document Processing and Logistics Management as Dual Drivers

I.Document Processing: End-to-end review ensures zero customs clearance obstacles

Output:

Importing French biscuits involves more than ten categories of critical documents; any oversight in any step can lead to customs rejection or cargo detention.As a professional agent,establish a "3+2" document review system:

• BasicDocumentReview:StrictlyverifythatthevalueanddescriptionofgoodsontheCommercialInvoicematchthecontract;confirmthatthegrossandnetweightsonthePackingListalignwiththeBillofLading;reviewAccuracyoftheissuingauthorityfortheCertificateofOrigin(CO)(FrenchCustomsorCCPIT)andtheproduct’sHScode(e.g.biscuitsusuallycorrespondtoHS1905.31).
• SpecialDocumentVerification:Forfoodproducts,focusonverifyingthattheSanitaryCertificateissuedbytheFrenchauthoritiesexplicitlystates“compliantwithEUfoodregulation(EC178/2002)”;theAnalysisCertificatemustlistadditivetypes(e.g.Enumbers)andcomplywithChina’sGB2760standard;pre-packagedlabelsmustbetranslatedintoChineseandfiledinadvance(includingnutritionfactsandallergendeclarations)toavoidon-arrivalrectificationsanddelays.
• Dynamicupdatemechanism:CloselymonitortheGACC’s“RegulationsontheRegistrationofOverseasFoodManufacturersforImportedFood.”Startingin2023,newregistrationrequirementsforFrenchbiscuitmanufacturersexportingtoChinahavebeenadded.OuragencycanhelpclientsverifywhetheranoverseasmanufacturerislistedontheGACC’sRegistrationList,preventingtheriskofreturnduetounregisteredstatus.

II.Logistics Management: The Core Competency for End-to-End Time Control and Cost Reduction

Output:

French biscuits are high-value,fragile,perishable goods (shelf life typically 12–18 months); the logistics solution must balance speed and cost.Leveraging 10 years of Europe-route partnerships,Zhongshen International Trade provides a “customized transport + milestone monitoring” service:

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Recommendedforsmallbatches(1000kg)(e.g.Paris–Shanghai,48-hourdirectdelivery),reducingBreak-bulklossinLCLshipments;forlargevolumes(>2000kg),prioritizeFCLseafreight.LeveragecontractedrateswithcarrierslikeMSCandCMAtocutoceanfreightbyover30%.Forsummershipments,wecanarrangetemperature-controlled(Reefer)containerstokeepthecargobelow25°C,preventingqualityissuessuchasmeltingchocolatecoatings.
• CriticalNodeMonitoring:Afterloading,simultaneouslyobtainETD(EstimatedTimeofDeparture)andETA(EstimatedTimeofArrival);initiatethe“pre-arrivaldeclaration”sevendaysinadvanceandsubmitthecustomsdeclarationthroughtheSingleWindowsystem,cuttingclearancetimeto24hours(thestandardis3–5days).Atthedestinationport’sD/O(DeliveryOrder)stage,interfaceinrealtimewiththeshippingagenttoavoiddemurragecausedbydelaysintheTelexReleaseofthebilloflading.
• InlandDistributionOptimization:Basedonthecustomer’ssalesnetwork,coordinatedomestictrunk-linetransport(e.g.ShanghaiPort–Beijingviahigh-speedrailcold-chainexpress)orregionaldistribution(e.g.splittingshipmentsfortheSouthChinamarketthroughShenzhenQianhaiBondedWarehouse),cuttinglast-miledeliverycostsby15–20%.

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBAdvantages that bolster capital security

It is worth noting that some companies are involved in China-Russia cross-border settlements by re-exporting to Russia or selling French biscuits directly to Russia.Zhongshen International Trade and RussiaBank (VTB Bank) establishes a strategic partnership,offering three major foreign-exchange settlement advantages:

• ExchangeRateLock-in:ByutilizingVTB’sspot/forwardFXsettlementtools,youcanlockintheRUB/EURexchangerateinadvance,hedgingagainstexchangelossescausedbyrecentrublevolatility(whichexceeded20%in2023).
• Arrivaltime:AstheprimaryclearingbankdesignatedbytheCentralBankofRussia,VTBshortensChina-Russiacross-borderT/Tremittancearrivaltimeto1–2businessdays(comparedwiththeusual3–5days),improvingcapitalturnoverefficiency.
• ComplianceAssurance:StrictlycomplywithRussianforeign-exchangecontrols(e.g.transactionsaboveUSD5,000requiresubmissionofsupportingdocumentssuchascontractsandbillsoflading);assistclientsinpreparingcompletetransaction-backgroundmaterialstomitigatetheriskoffundsbeingfrozen.

Certification Reminder: Key Steps That Customers Must Complete Independently

It should be specifically noted that Zhongshen International Trade does not directly provide product certification services; however,it can assist clients in clarifying certification requirements and reviewing the validity of documents:

• attheEUlevel:FrenchbiscuitmanufacturersmustholdHACCP(HazardAnalysisandCriticalControlPoints)certification;somepremiumproductsmayalsorequireorganiccertification(e.g.ABcertification).Customersshouldconfirmsupplierqualificationsinadvance.
• AttheChinalevel:Pre-packagedbiscuitsmustcompletelabelfiling(via"ImportedFoodTheproductmustberegisteredinthe"NationalFoodSafetyTraceabilityandLabelingInformationManagementPlatform(hereinafterreferredtoasthe’LabelRegistrationSystem’)"andcomplywithGB7718(GeneralStandardsfortheLabelingofPrepackagedFood)andGB28050(GeneralStandardsfortheNutritionLabelingofPrepackagedFood).Iftheproductcontainsdairyingredients,anadditionalSanitaryCertificateforDairyProductsImportedintoChina(anewrequirementintroducedin2024)mustbeprovided.
• OperationSuggestions:Thecertificationprocesstypicallytakes45–60days;werecommendclientsinitiateitimmediatelyaftersigningthecontract.Theagentcanprovidea“CertificationDocumentChecklist”templateandreviewservicetoensureallsubmittedmaterialsmeetcustomsrequirements.

End-to-End Import Agency Process: A Closed-Loop Service from Consultation to Feedback

Drawing on the characteristics of French biscuits,Zhongshen International Trade has broken the import-agency process down into nine key milestones,with special emphasis on “production oversight” and “quality assurance.”

• CustomerInquiry:Specifythecookietype(e.g.shortbread,sandwich),importvolume(monthly/quarterly),andtargetmarket(NorthChina/SouthChina),thenassesswhethercold-chaintransportorspecialpackagingisrequired.
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Reviewthe“qualityclauses”inthecontract(e.g.breakagerate≤3%),the“risk-transferpoint”(FOBMarseilleorCIFShanghai),andstipulatedemurragechargesandtheallocationofliabilityforreturnshipmentincaseoffailedinspection.
• Orders&Payment:SelectT/T(30%deposit)basedoncustomerrequirements(L/C)andothermethods;forRussia-relatedbusiness,VTBBanksettlementisstronglyrecommended.
• ProductionSupervision:DispatchaQCspecialisttotheFrenchplantforanon-siteaudit,verifyingtheoriginofrawmaterials(e.g.butter,flour)andthehygieneleveloftheproductionlines(mustcomplywithISO22000).Retaintheproductionlotnumbersfortraceability.
• LogisticsManagement:Asdetailedearlier,thefocusisonmonitoringthe“pre-declaration”sevendaysbeforearrivalandthe“inspectioncooperation”afterarrival(forexample,customssamplingandtestingtakes3–5days;coordinatewiththelabinadvancetoshortenthecycle).
• CustomsCompliance:Calculateimportduties(MFNrate15%,provisionalratemaybelower)andVAT(13%);assistinapplyingforthe“ImporterofRecordFilingforFoodProducts”(mustbecompleted15daysinadvance).
• DeliveryandDistribution:Delivertowarehouseorsupermarketaspercustomerrequirements,providinga"logisticstrackingsheet"forreal-timelocationupdates.
• QualityAssurance:Uponarrival,conductsamplingandsendfortesting(e.g.totalplatecount,additivelevels);ifanyissuesarefound,initiatethesupplierclaimprocesswithin24hours(athird-partytestreportmustbeprovided).
• SummaryandFeedback:Issuethe"ImportExecutionReport,"includingcostanalysis(breakdownofoceanfreight,customsduties,andagencyservicefeesaspercentages),timelinessstatistics(daysfromorderplacementtodelivery),andoptimizationrecommendations(e.g.adjustingsailingschedulestoavoidpeakseasons).

Conclusion: A professional agent is the “safety accelerator” for importing French biscuits.

Against the backdrop of ever-closer China-France food trade,the core competitive edge for importing French biscuits has shifted from “finding supply” to “controlling the process.” With 20 years of foreign-trade agency experience,Zhongshen International Trade leverages precise document handling,efficient logistics coordination,and compliant risk management to help companies bypass pitfalls such as “customs delays,” “document errors,” and “l(fā)ogistics losses,” compressing the import cycle from an average of 60 days to 45 days and cutting overall costs by 10–15%.Choosing a professional agency is not just about saving time and money—it’s about paving a “high-speed corridor” for French biscuits to enter the Chinese market.