I.The international situation and market opportunities of the Dutch imported cookie trade

In recent years,China-EU economic and trade cooperation has continued to deepen.In 2023,China and the European UnionThe total value reached 5.6 trillion yuan,with a year-on-year increase of 1.9%.Among them,the demand for food imports rose significantly.As a core logistics hub of the European Union,the Netherlands,with the location advantage of the Port of Rotterdam (one of the top ten container ports in the world) and its supply chain network as the "European Gateway",has become an important source of imported biscuits for China.Dutch biscuits are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients (such as Dutch butter cookies),which align with the trend of domestic consumption upgrading.According to customs data,in 2023,China’s total import of biscuits exceeded $820 million,with a year-on-year increase of 12%.The Netherlands accounted for 18% of this,demonstrating huge market potential.

It should be noted that the European Union imposes strict regulations on food exports (such as the EC 178/2002 "General Food Law"),and China’s customs has also strengthened the inspection of imported food (in accordance with the "Regulations on the Registration and Management of Foreign Food Manufacturing Enterprises").Enterprises that operate on their own are prone to compliance risks,so professional assistance is necessary in this regard.The importance of proxy services has become increasingly prominent.

II.Core Competencies of Professional Agents: Comprehensive Control of All Links in Documentation and Logistics

(I) Document processing: Dual guarantee of compliance and efficiency

Output:

The single document system for imported cookies is essential for customs clearance and other related procedures.As the core documents for customs clearance,they must strictly comply with the rules of both China and the Netherlands,as well as international standards.Based on our 20 years of foreign trade experience,our company has established a "three-stage review" mechanism to ensure that there are no errors in the documents.

• BasicdocumentsCommercialInvoice,PackingList,Thebilloflading(B/L)servesasthebasisforthetransaction,anditisnecessarytoverifythatthedescriptionofthegoods(productname,specifications,grossweight/netweight)isconsistentwiththecontract.
• SpecialdocumentsThehealthcertificateissuedbytheDutchauthorities.(EUR.1,applicabletotheChina-EUGeneralizedSystemofPreferences)isnecessaryforcustomsclearance.Ourcompanycanassistinreviewingthecertificateformat(e.g.whethertheissuingauthorityistheDutchMinistryofAgriculture,NatureandFoodQuality)andcontent(e.g.whethertheproductingredientscontainprohibitedadditives);
• SupportingdocumentsComponentAnalysisReport(COA),NutritionalIngredientsTable(mustcomplywithGB28050),ChineseLabelSamples(forfiling),etc.Althoughthesearenotmandatorysubmissions,theydirectlyaffectthecomplianceofsubsequentsales.Ourcompanyprovidesprofessionaltranslationandformatguidanceservices.

(II) Logistics Management: Designing the Optimal Route from Rotterdam to China

Output:

The logistics process requires balancing cost and efficiency.Our company tailors solutions based on clients’ needs:

• Transportationmethod:Mainlybyfullcontainerload(FCL)(suitableforsingleimportof≥15tons),withacost30%-40%lowerthanthatofless-than-containerload(LCL);urgentorderscanbeselectedasneeded.(Rotterdam-Shanghai/Beijing,deliverytime4-5days),butthefreightcostisabout8-10timesthatofseafreight;
• PortSelectionPrioritizeShanghaiPort(withhighcustomsclearanceefficiencyandanaveragedailyprocessingofover200food-relateddocuments)andNingboPort(forcustomersinEastChina,offeringlowlandtransportationcosts).ForcustomersinSouthChina,GuangzhouNanshaPortcanbeanoption(connectedtotheSoutheastAsiadistributionnetwork).
• RiskmanagementandcontrolWehaveestablishedlong-termagreementswithshippingcompaniessuchasMaerskandCMACGMtoensurethestabilityofshippingspace.WealsopurchaseAllRisksmarineinsurancetocovercargodamageduringtransportation(suchasmoisturedamageandcollisions).Additionally,weprovidein-transittrackingservices(viatheshippingcompany’sE-Trackingsystem)toprovidereal-timeupdatesonthelocationofthegoods.

III.The advantages of VTB foreign exchange settlement in the re-export business with Russia

Some clients route their goods through the Netherlands to Russia,which involves the need for RUB/EUR foreign exchange settlement.Our company has established a cooperation channel with VTB Bank in Russia to provide foreign exchange settlement services within a compliant framework:

• EfficiencyadvantageAsasystemicallyimportantbankinRussia,VTBhasashortersettlementpathwithDutchlocalbanks(suchasINGGroup),whichshortensthetimerequiredforT/Tpaymentstobecreditedby1-2workingdayscomparedtootherbanks.
• Exchangerateadvantage:ByleveragingVTB’sforeignexchangetradingplatform,youcanlockinspotexchangeratesorconductforwardforeignexchangesettlements(uptoamaximumof6months),therebymitigatingtheriskofexchangeratefluctuations(forinstance,thefluctuationrangeoftherubleagainsttheeuroreached±15%in2023).
• ComplianceAssuranceStrictlyreviewthetransactionbackground(suchastheoriginofthegoodsandtheauthenticityofthetradecontract)toensurethatitdoesnotviolateinternationalsanctionsprovisions(suchastheSWIFTban)andavoidtheriskofaccountfreezing.

IV.Key nodes of the entire import process and collaboration points with clients

1.Client Consultation & Demand Confirmation

Output:

It is necessary to clarify the product information (such as whether the ingredients contain milk fat/nuts,and allergens need to be labeled),packaging specifications (whether they comply with the Chinese GB 4806.8 standard for food contact materials),import volume (which affects the selection of logistics solutions),and target markets (North China/East China/South China,which determine the distribution warehouses).

2.Contract Review and Clause Negotiation

Output:

The key points to review include trade terms (recommending CIF Rotterdam,with the supplier responsible for transport insurance to reduce our risks),payment methods (for first-time cooperation,we suggest a 30% prepayment plus 70% upon receipt of the bill of lading copy; for long-term cooperation,L/C 90 days deferred payment can be negotiated),and quality dispute clauses (specifying that quality objections must be raised within 15 days after arrival).

3.Production supervision and third-party inspection

Output:

Although it does not directly provide certification services,it can assist clients in commissioning institutions such as SGS and BV to conduct pre-shipment inspections (PSI),with a focus on verifying product sensory characteristics (color,shape) and microbiological indicators (e.g.total colony count ≤ 10000 CFU/g),to avoid products being returned due to quality issues after arriving at the port (in 2023,the proportion of imported biscuits returned due to microbiological non-compliance reached 8%).

4.Customs compliance and tax payment

Output:

The HS code needs to be accurately classified (biscuits are usually classified as 1905.3100,with a Most-Favored-Nation tariff rate of 15% and a value-added tax rate of 13%).Our company reduces the risk of customs inquiries through pre-classification services.Tariffs can be alleviated through summary tax payment (Monthly Tax Payment),but customers need to apply for AEO certification (Advanced Economic Operator) in advance (Advanced Economic Operator enterprises enjoy customs clearance convenience).

5.Delivery and quality feedback

Output:

After the goods arrive at the port,our company will coordinate the customs inspection (usually within 2-3 working days) and arrange domestic land transportation (our cooperative fleet covers the whole country).The client needs to complete the sampling and inspection within 48 hours after the arrival of the goods (according to the GB 7100 Cookie Hygiene Standard).If any problems are found (such as missing labels),our company will assist in negotiating with the supplier for returns and replacements.

V.Certification Notice: Compliance Requirements to be Completed by the Client

Although our company does not handle certification directly,the following steps require customers to plan in advance to avoid delays in customs clearance:

• RegistrationofoverseasproductionenterprisesTheDutchbiscuitfactoryneedstocompletetheregistrationinthe"ImportedFoodOverseasProductionEnterpriseRegistrationandManagementSystem"oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms(theregistrationnumberformatisNL+6digits),andcanapplyforitwiththeassistanceoftheNetherlandsTradePromotionCouncil(NFTC);
• ChineselabelfilingThelabelmustincludetheproductname,countryoforigin,ingredientlist,productiondate(whichmustbeconsistentwiththehealthcertificate),andtheinformationofthedomesticagent(mandatoryrequirementaccordingtoGB7718-2011).Itisrecommendedtosubmittheregistrationapplicationtothelocalcustoms30daysinadvance.
• ImportedFoodConsignorandConsigneeRegistrationTheclientneedstocompletetheenterpriseregistrationatthe"SingleWindow"(withavalidityperiodof5years)andobtaina10-digitregistrationnumber(linkedtothecustomsdeclarationform).

Conclusion: Dutch cookie importers need to balance trade compliance,document expertise,and logistics efficiency.Relying on 20 years of experience and focusing on core competencies in documentation and logistics,we offer foreign exchange settlement advantages in special scenarios such as Russian re-export,helping clients effectively seize market opportunities.Enterprises only need to focus on product selection and sales,while the rest of the processes will be supported by our professional team.