I.Trade Landscape of French Imported Biscuits: Opportunities and Compliance as Twin Drivers

In recent years,China’s imported-food market has kept expanding.Thanks to traditional craftsmanship,premium raw materials—Normandy butter and Brittany sea salt,for example—and diversified flavors such as crêpe and dark-chocolate filled,French biscuits have become a star category among imported bakery items.According to 2023 General Administration of Customs data,China–France food trade grew 18 % year-on-year,with biscuits accounting for over 12 % of import volume.Yet compliance requirements on both the EU and Chinese sides are tightening: the EU demands conformity with the EU Food Hygiene Regulation (EC) 178/2002 and the General Food Law,while China enforces the Provisions on the Registration Administration of Overseas Producing Enterprises of Imported Food (GACC Decree 248),all against a backdrop of volatile global logistics costs (2023Prices have fallen 30% from their 2021 peak but remain above pre-pandemic levels),exchange-rate risk (EUR/CNY annual volatility exceeds 5%),and companies importing on their own face multiple challenges—incorrect documentation,customs clearance delays,runaway costs—so professionalThe importance of proxy services has become increasingly prominent.

II.Core Competencies of Professional Agency: Meticulous Control of Documentation and Logistics

(I) Document Handling: The "Passport" for Full-Chain Compliance

Output:

The customs-clearance documents for imported biscuits must simultaneously satisfy the requirements of France as the exporting country,China as the importing country,and the transport segment; any omission may result in cargo detention or return.As a professional agent,we can provide the following documentation services:

• BasicTradeDocuments:Reviewandpreparethecommercialinvoice(mustlistcookieingredients,specifications,andcountryoforigin),packinglist(mustshownet/grossweightandpackagingmaterialsuchasaluminumfoil/carton),andbilloflading(selectaccordingtothetradeterm;e.g.CIFrequiresanon-boardcleanbilloflading);
• Officialcompliancedocuments:AssisttheclientinrequestingfromtheFrenchsupplier(CO,issuedbytheFrenchChamberofCommerce),SanitaryCertificate(muststate“ComplieswithEUfoodhygienestandards”),ComponentAnalysisReport(includingtypesandquantitiesofadditives,e.g.Enumbers);
• Specialadditionaldocuments:Fororganicbiscuits,acertificateofEUorganiccertification(EC834/2007)isrequired;ifdairyingredientsarepresent,confirmthattheFrenchmilksourceisonChina’sapprovedlist(verifiableviatheGACC“RegistrationInformationQueryPlatformforOverseasFoodProductionEnterprises”).

The agency team ensures a 100% match between document information and actual goods through a “dual-review + system verification” mechanism (e.g.the sugar content in the composition report aligns with the Chinese label filing).In 2022 service cases,the one-time document approval rate reached 98.6%,a 40% improvement over companies handling it themselves.

(II) Logistics Management: The “Accelerator” of End-to-End Efficiency

Output:

Given that biscuits are prone to moisture absorption and have a relatively short shelf life (typically 6–12 months),the logistics solution must balance cost and timeliness.Zhongshen International Trade,drawing on 15 years ofNetwork,providing customized services:

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Smallbatch(200kg)recommended(e.g.Paris–Shanghai,48-hourdelivery),easingwarehousingturnoverpressure;forbulkshipments(fullcontainers),seafreightispreferred(MSC/CMACGMmainroutes,35–40daystoport),costing60–70%lessthanairfreight;
• TemperatureControlandPackaging:Requiresupplierstousemoisture-proofaluminumfilminnerpackaging+crush-resistantcorrugatedcartons,andinstallhumiditymonitoringdevicesinseacontainers(real-timehumidity≤60%).In2023,acustomer’s500cartonsofbuttercookiesavoided20%cargodamagebecausetheforwarderaddeddesiccantsinadvance;
• DestinationPortCoordination:Establishgreenchannelswithmajorfood-designatedsupervisionsitessuchasShanghaiWaigaoqiaoandGuangzhouNansha,allowpre-declarationthreedaysinadvance,andcutcustomsclearanceto2–3workingdays(industryaverage:5–7days).

III.End-to-End Agency Services: Closed-Loop Management from Consultation to Feedback

(I) Preliminary Consultation & Contract Signing: Precise Alignment of Requirements

Output:

During the client’s first inquiry,the agency team collects key information via the “French Biscuit Import Requirement Form”: target market (hypermarket/e-commerce/cross-border),purchase volume (monthly/quarterly),and special requirements (e.g.gluten-free/low-sugar),while simultaneously reminding the client that “before import,the product must be confirmed as listed in the ‘Catalogue of Countries (Regions) with Assessment and Review Requirements and Traditional Trade in Food Exported to China’” (searchable on the General Administration of Customs website).At the negotiation and contract-signing stage,focus is placed on scrutinizing trade terms (DAP Shanghai is recommended to clarify unloading liability),payment methods (30 % T/T in advance + 70 % on arrival,or sight L/C to reduce credit risk),and dispute-resolution clauses (stipulating application of the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission rules).

(II) Order Execution and Compliance Implementation

Output:

• ProductionSupervision:Iftheclientcommissionscontractmanufacturing,theagentwillverifytherawandauxiliarymaterialsinaccordancewiththeGeneralStandardfortheLabelingofPrepackagedFoods(GB7718)(e.g.whethertheycontainfoodadditivesprohibitedinChina;forinstance,pectinE440requiresconfirmationofitspermittedusescope)andrequirethesuppliertoprovidebatchinspectionreports;
• CustomsCompliance:Whenfilingtheimportdeclaration,submittoCustomsthe“FilingCertificatefortheConsigneeofImportedFood”(thecustomermustcompletethefilinginadvance),aChineselabelsample(whichmuststate“CountryofOrigin:France”and“NameandAddressoftheDomesticDistributor”),andlettheagenthelpcalculatethecomprehensivetaxrate(15%customsduty+13%VAT;forsomeagreementcountriessuchasFrancetheMFNrateapplies),thencompletetheelectronicdeclarationthroughtheSingleWindowsystem;
• DeliveryandQuality:Afterthegoodsarriveatthewarehouse,theagentcoordinateswithathird-partyinspectionbody(e.g.SGS)toconductspotchecksonsensoryattributes,microbiologicalindicators(totalplatecount≤10,000CFU/g),etc.In2023,abatchfailedduetoexcessivemold(detectedat250CFU/g,limit≤50CFU/g);theagentinitiatedthereturnshipmentwithin48hours,preventingfurtherlosstothecustomer.

IV.Extended Service Reminder: Special Notes on Certification and Russia-Related Business

(1) The certification must be handled by the client themselves; the agent provides consultation support.

Output:

Certifications that may be involved in importing French biscuits include:

• BRCFoodCertification(BRCGlobalStandard):Largesupermarketchains(e.g.CarrefourChina)oftenrequiresupplierstoprovideit;certificationisissuedbybodiessuchasSGSandBureauVeritas;
• IFSInternationalFoodStandard:Entrybarriersforhigh-endEUchannels(e.g.GaleriesLafayette)andacertificationcycleofapproximately3–6months;
• HALALHalalCertification:FortheMuslimmarket,certificationbyrecognizedauthoritiessuchasJAKIMinMalaysiaorMUIinIndonesiaisrequired.

Special note: Zhongshen International Trade does not directly provide certification services; however,it can help clients sort out certification requirements (e.g.BRC must cover production,packaging,and warehousing),recommend compliant certification bodies,and verify certificate validity (e.g.to avoid expired or unauthorized certificates).

(II) Re-export Business to Russia: VTBSecurity advantages

Output:

If the client is involved in re-exporting French biscuits from China to Russia,the agent can provide efficient foreign-exchange settlement through VTB Bank (Bank for Foreign Trade of the Russian Federation).As a systemically important bank in Russia,VTB is deeply integrated into Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) for RMB settlement,allowing it to circumvent SWIFT sanctions risks.In a 2023 service case,a client settled €2 million with Russia via VTB: arrival time was two days faster and the fee 0.3 % lower than via traditional channels.The agent team will assist the client in preparing the 《Proof of Authenticity (e.g.tripartite contracts,transport documents) to ensure compliance with the SAFE “Three Principles of Conduct” requirements.

V.Core Value of Choosing a Professional Agent: Risk Mitigation and Efficiency Enhancement

When importing French biscuits independently,a company must simultaneously tackle supplier-performance risks (e.g.delayed shipments),documentation errors (e.g.a sanitary certificate missing the veterinarian’s signature),customs-clearance delays (e.g.failure to apply for the import animal & plant quarantine permit in advance),and logistics-related cargo damage (e.g.biscuits turning soggy from maritime humidity).A professional agent,through “accumulated know-how + pooled resources,” can cut the overall risk by more than 60 %.Take a new client in 2023: the agent spotted in advance that the supplier’s ingredient report did not flag “trans-fatty acid content” (China requires labeling when ≥0.3 g/100 g),promptly requested a supplement,and averted a customs rejection—re-filing after rejection incurs a demurrage fee of RMB 2,000 per day.

In summary,the core of acting as an agent for French biscuit imports lies in “professional document handling + efficient logistics coordination + full-process compliance control.” Choosing an agency service provider with over 10 years of food-import experience and in-depth knowledge of both Chinese and French regulations is the key decision for companies to cut costs,boost efficiency,and mitigate risks.