The current situation and opportunities of the biscuit import trade in the UK

With the deepening of Sino-British trade cooperation,the UK’s food exports to China increased by 12% year-on-year in 2023,with baked goods (including cookies) accounting for more than 25% of the total.British cookies are renowned for their high-quality ingredients (such as Scottish butter and Welsh oats) and traditional craftsmanship (with some brands boasting century-old recipes),which have gained popularity in China’s high-end and mid-range consumer markets.It should be noted that after the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union,its food export regulations have diverged from those of the EU.The independence of its food regulatory system (such as the FSA UK Food Standards Agency certification) for exports to third countries has been strengthened,while China’s customs authorities have implemented the "double random" inspection system (random deployment and random inspection) for imported foods,placing higher demands on document compliance and product safety.Against this backdrop,professionalService has become the key for enterprises to reduce operational risks and improve customs clearance efficiency.

Core competencies of import agents: document processing and logistics services

I.Compliance control of the entire document process

Output:

The import of British biscuits involves more than 10 types of key documents.Agents need to complete a three-level review mechanism of "initial review - re-check - submission" to ensure that the documents are consistent with the actual goods and that the documents and goods match each other.Specifically,this includes:

• BasicCommercialDocuments:Commericalinvoice(whichmustindicatetheFOBprice,freightcharges,anddetailsofinsurancepremiums),packinglist(listingthenet/grossweightofeachboxandspecifications),andbilloflading.Chooseacleanbilloflading,Needtoverifythemasterairwaybillinformation);
• Regulatorydocuments:AhealthcertificateissuedbytheUKauthorities(whichmustspecifythatit"complieswithrelevantstandardssuchasChina’sGB19643-2016’NationalFoodSafetyStandardsforAlgalProducts’").(IfthepreferentialtariffundertheChina–UKFreeTradeAgreementisclaimed,aFORMEcertificateoforiginmustbeobtained);
• Specialrequirementsfordocuments:Componentanalysisreport(whichshalllistthetypesandcontentsofadditivesandcomplywithGB2760-2014"StandardsfortheUseofFoodAdditives"),nutritionalinformationtable(labelingenergy,protein,andother1+4corenutrientsinaccordancewithGB28050-2011requirements).Theagentteamshallfocusonreviewingkeyindicatorssuchastheissuingauthorityofthehealthcertificate(whichmustbeanauthorityauthorizedbytheUKDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs-DEFRA)andthetransfattyacidcontentintheingredientlist(whichshallnotexceed0.3g/100g),toavoidthereturnordetentionofthegoodsduetodefectsinthedocuments.

II.Customized Logistics Solutions and End-to-End Management

Output:

Given the characteristics of British biscuits,which are fragile and have a sensitive shelf life (usually 6-12 months),the agent needs to provide an integrated logistics solution covering "transportation methods - route planning - risk prevention".

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Forsmallbatches(2,000kg),airfreightisrecommended(e.g.LondonHeathrowtoShanghaiPudong,withadeliverytimeof5-7days),toreducetheriskofmoisturedamageduringlong-termseatransport.Forlargebatches(>5,000kg),seafreightLCL(less-than-containerload)orFCL(full-containerload)ispreferred.Itisnecessarytospecifytheshippingcompany(recommendMaersk,MediterraneanShippingCompany,etc.forfast-speedroutes,withadeliverytimeof30-35daysfromEuropetomajorChineseports).
• Specialprotectivemeasures:Itisrequiredthatsuppliersusemoisture-proofaluminumfoilinnerbags+corrugatedcardboardboxes(withacompressivestrengthof≥500kg).Forseafreightcontainers,ahumidityrecorder(tocontrolhumidity≤60%)mustbeinstalled,andan"allrisks"insurancepolicy(coveringriskssuchasbreakageandmoisturedamage)mustbepurchased.
• Coordinatewiththeportofdestinationtoclearcustoms:3daysinadvance,submitthe"importedfood"tothecustoms."ConsigneeRegistration"(requiresthecustomertoprovideabusinesslicenseandafoodbusinesslicense),completethe"SingleWindow"pre-declaration,andensurethattheinspectionofthegoodsiscompletedwithin24hoursaftertheyarriveattheport(ifthereisnosurveillance).Thiswillavoidincurringdemurragecharges(usually$50-100perday).

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBAdvantages and Cross-Border Payment Solutions

Some enterprises import British biscuits through agents and then resell them to the Russian market,or directly entrust agents to import them on behalf of Russian buyers.In such scenarios,agents can rely on their partnerships with Russian suppliers to handle the import process.Long-term partnership with VTB Bank to provide efficient foreign-exchange settlement services:

• ExchangeRateLock-in:ThroughVTB’s"forwardforeignexchangesettlement"tool,youcanlockinT/Tpayments(telegraphictransfer)orL/C(letterofcredit)ratesinadvance,therebyminimizingtheimpactofexchangeratefluctuationsonyourforeignexchangetransactions.Undertheexchangeratespecifiedinthecontract,wecanavoidtheriskoffluctuationsintheruble/RMBexchangerate(thefluctuationrangeoftherubleagainsttheRMBin2023reached±18%);
• Fastcrediting:AsasystemicallyimportantbankinRussia,VTBhasestablishedadirectSWIFTconnectionwithmajorChinesebanks(suchasBankofChinaandIndustrialandCommercialBankofChina),whichhasshortenedthetimerequiredforcross-borderremittancesto1-2workingdays(comparedto3-5daysforordinarybanks).
• ComplianceAssurance:AssistinreviewingtheRussianparty’spaymentinstructions(e.g.whethertheyinvolvetheOFACsanctionslist)toavoidaccountfreezesduetoissueswithfundtransferroutes.

Customer Notice: Certification Requirements and the Scope of Agency Services

It should be noted that importing British biscuits requires completing the following certifications/registrations,but our company does not directly provide certification services:

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:UKbiscuitmanufacturersneedtoregisterwiththeGeneralAdministrationofCustomsthroughthe"RegistrationandManagementSystemforOverseasFoodManufacturersImportingFoodintoChina"(registrationnumberformat:GB+4-digitcountrycode+6-digitenterprisecode).Agentscanassistinverifyingthevalidityoftheregistrationinformation.
• Chineselabelfiling:Pre-packagedbiscuitsmustbelabeledwithChineselabelsthatcomplywiththerequirementsofGB7718-2011(includingthecountryoforigin,informationaboutthedomesticdistributor,andtheshelflife).Theagentcanprovidealabelreviewtemplate,anditisrecommendedthatclientsentrustthird-partytestinginstitutions(suchasSGSandHuace)tocompletetheregistrationprocess.
• Importerregistration:Domesticimportenterprisesneedtocompletetheimporterregistrationatthe"ChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindow"(submittingmaterialssuchasthebusinesslicenseandthefoodbusinesslicense),andagentscanguidethemthroughtheregistrationprocess.

Full-process service: a closed-loop management from consultation to feedback

Our company’s import agency services strictly follow a 9-step standardized process to ensure that every step is controllable and traceable.

• CustomerInquiry:Collectinformationsuchastheproductingredients(whethertheycontainnuts/dairyproducts),packagingspecifications(whethertheycontainperishablematerials),andtargetcustomsclearanceports(recommendedShanghai/Guangzhou,whichhavehighcustomsclearanceefficiency)throughthe"ImportDemandSurveyForm";
• NegotiationandContractSigning:CalculatethecomprehensivecostbasedontheHScode(e.g.1905.3100"SweetBiscuits",withaMost-Favored-Nationtariffrateof15%andavalue-addedtaxof13%),clarifythescopeofservices(whetheritincludespayingcustomsdutiesonbehalfoftheclient),anddefineliabilityexemptionclauses(e.g.forreturnsduetoincorrectingredientsprovidedbytheclient).
• Orders&Payment:Helpreviewthetradetermsintheprocurementcontract(recommendingCIFShanghai,withthesupplierassumingresponsibilityfortransportationandinsurance),andprovidesuggestionsforchoosingaletterofcreditissuingbank(givingprioritytomajorinternationalbankssuchasStandardCharteredandHSBC);
• ProductionSupervision:VerifythattheproductionenvironmentmeetstheHACCPrequirementsthroughvideofactoryinspectionsorthird-partyreports(suchasBRCcertification),andretainrawmaterialinspectionreports(e.g.aflatoxinB1inwheatflour≤5μg/kg).
• LogisticsManagement:Developthe"LogisticsTrackingForm"toupdatethecargostatusinrealtime(e.g."shipped"→"estimatedarrivaltime"),andnotifycustomerstopreparecustomsclearancematerials10daysinadvance.
• CustomsCompliance:Completingproductclassification(notethedifferencesinHScodesbetweensandwichcookiesandordinarycookies),pricedeclaration(requiringsupportingdocumentssuchasfreightinvoicesandinsurancepoliciestoprovetheCIFprice),andpayingcustomsdutiesonbehalfofclients(withtheoptionofcheckingpaymentreceiptsviathebankinterface);
• DeliveryandDistribution:Coordinatewithdomesticlogisticscompanies(recommendedJDLogisticsandSFExpressColdChain)todistributethegoodstowarehousesorendstoresaccordingtocustomerneeds(payingattentiontothe"lastmile"andanti-droppackaging).
• QualityAssurance:Assistclientsincompletingthearrivalinspection(withasamplingratioof≥5%).Ifanydamageisfound(withareasonablelossrateof≤3%)orifthegoodsareexpired(requiringaproofoflogisticsdelaytoclaimcompensationfromthesupplier),initiateanemergencyresponsewithin24hours.
• SummaryandFeedback:Providethe"ImportBusinessReport"(includingtimeefficiencystatistics,costbreakdown,andriskpointanalysis),andassistclientsinoptimizingtheirnextimportplan(suchasadjustingtheportofdeparturetoSouthamptontoshortenthevoyage).

Conclusion: Professional agents enable the efficient import of British biscuits to China

The import of British biscuits involves multiple challenges such as trade compliance,logistics optimization,and financial security.Professional agency services help enterprises save more than 30% of operating time and reduce more than 15% of hidden costs (such as port detention fees and return loss) by accurately reviewing documents,customizing logistics solutions,and providing advance risk warnings.Choosing an agency team with 20 years of foreign trade experience is a key guarantee for enterprises to enter the British food import market.