I.The Import Situation of Dutch Biscuits and the Value of Agency Services

In recent years,China’s imported-food market has kept expanding; 2023 customs figures show that imports of bakery products rose 12.7 % year-on-year,with Dutch cookies—branded “premium European ingredients + traditional craftsmanship”—claiming 23 % of the high-end segment.As the EU’s logistics hub (Rotterdam ranks 10th worldwide in container throughput),the Netherlands ships its cookies under the TIR Convention (International Road Transport Convention) for seamless multimodal transport,yet it also faces tougher SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) measures and the need to align with GB standards (China’s National Food Safety Standards).Against this backdrop,professionalBy integrating documentation,logistics,and compliance resources,the service can compress customs-clearance lead time from the industry average of 8–10 days to 5–7 days,significantly reducing demurrage and tied-up capital costs.

II.Core of Agency Services: The Professional Barrier of Document Processing and Logistics Management

(I) Document Processing: The “Invisible Cornerstone” of End-to-End Compliance

Output:

The import of Dutch biscuits requires the submission of 12 core documents; the absence or discrepancy of any one of them may trigger a customs inspection.Drawing on 20 years of document-examination expertise,we have built a “three-tier verification system”:

• Pre-approval:Beforeimportation,verifythatthecommercialinvoice(mustshowVAT-inclusivepriceandtradeterm),packinglist(muststategross/netweightandpackagingmaterial)andcontractareconsistent;focusoncheckingtheHScode(e.g.1905.3100“sweetbiscuits”and1905.3200“otherbiscuits”bothcarrya15%dutyrate,buttheirregulatoryconditionsdifferandrequireattention);
• CertificateofOriginVerification:VerifythroughtheChinaInternationalTradeSingleWindowSystemthegeneralcertificateissuedbytheDutchMinistryofEconomicAffairs,ensuringcompliancewiththe“whollyobtained”criterion(rawmaterials≥90%originatingintheNetherlandsmayqualifyforFORMEpreferences;however,biscuitscontainingimportedinputsarenormallysubjecttoMFNrates);
• HealthCertificateReview:RigorouslyreviewthehealthcertificatesissuedbytheNetherlandsFoodandConsumerProductSafetyAuthority(NVWA),verifyingthatkeyitemssuchas“processingtechnology,”“useofadditives”(e.g.E-numbersmustalignwithGB2760),and“microbiologicalcriteria”(totalplatecount≤10^4CFU/g)conformtoChinesestandards.Inservicecasesoverthepastthreeyears,advancecorrectionofdocumentationissueshaspreventeda98%return-to-senderrate.

(II) Logistics Management: End-to-End Transit-Time Control from Rotterdam to Chinese Ports

Output:

Dutch biscuits are mostly made using “Led by+Emergency transportation plan:

• Seafreight:PrioritizedirectRotterdam–Shanghai/ShenzhenservicesoperatedbyMaersk,CMACGM,etc.(transit≈30days),andlockinoceanfreightandinsuranceunderCIFterms(cost,insurance&freight)withAll-RisksplusBreakagecoverage,protectingover70%ofen-routerisks.
• Airfreight:Fornew-producttrialsalesoremergencyreplenishment,optfortheAmsterdamSchiphol–Beijing/Shanghaiall-cargoflight(12–14htransit),underDAP(DeliveredatPlace)terms:aftertheagentcompletesdestinationcustomsclearance,goodsaretruckedstraighttothecustomer’swarehouse;
• DomesticDistribution:Leveraginganationwidenetworkof15bondedwarehouses,wesupportthefullprocessof“fullcontainertowarehouse–unpacking&sorting–directdeliverytoe-commerce/supermarkets.”IntegratedwiththeWMSsystem,weachieve24-hour“order-to-dispatch”response,cuttingcustomers’warehousingcostsbyover30%.

III.Business Expansion into Russia: VTBAdvantages Boost Cross-Border Capital Flow

If the client’s Dutch biscuits are re-exported to Russia via China,Zhongshen International Trade and RussiaA deep partnership with VTB can solve two major pain points:

• Hedgingagainstexchange-raterisk:ViaVTB’sdirectRMB-RUBclearingchannel,theFXconversionrateis0.5–1pipsbetterthanthemid-marketquote;animporterwithanannualvolumeofUSD5millioncansaveroughlyUSD25,000–50,000inexchangecosts;
• Paymenttimelinessimprovement:VTB,designatedbytheCentralBankofRussiaasthecross-borderpaymentclearingbank,supportsT/Tsettlementwithfundsarrivingin1–2businessdays(traditionalcorrespondentbankingtakes3–5days),andcooperatesUndertheL/C,the"documentsrevieweduponsubmission"serviceeffectivelyshortensthesupplier’spaymentcycleandstrengthensprocurementbargainingpower.

IV.A Step-by-Step Guide to the Full Import Process: 9 Standardized Procedures from Inquiry to Feedback

(1) Customer Inquiry and Requirement Confirmation (Step 1)

Output:

In the initial phase,the product attributes (e.g.cookie/wafer/soft biscuit),packaging specifications (whether individual inner packs are included),import volume (1–50 containers per batch),and sales channels (hypermarket/e-commerce/cross-border O2O) must be clarified,while simultaneously flagging the “l(fā)ow-declaration risk” (e.g.a declared price lower than the customs-determined dutiable value may trigger a price review).

(II) Contract Negotiation and Clause Lock-in (Step 2)

Output:

Focus on reviewing trade terms (CIF to a Chinese port is recommended; the agent can coordinate both transport and insurance),quality standards (stipulate compliance with Dutch NEN 3535 or the client’s designated SOP),and dispute resolution (CIETAC is advised).In the past year,we have helped clients revise contract clauses more than 200 times,averting potential disputes over “l(fā)ate-delivery penalties” and “return shipment for non-conforming quality.”

(III) Order Execution and Payment Arrangements (Step 3)

Output:

Supports payment methods such as T/T (30% in advance + 70% on arrival) and L/C (sight letter of credit),completes foreign-exchange registration through the State Administration of Foreign Exchange’s “Foreign Exchange Monitoring System for Trade in Goods,” and ensures compliance with the regulatory requirement of “whoever imports shall make the payment.”

(4) Production Supervision and Quality Control (Step 4)

Output:

If requested by the customer,a local third-party in the Netherlands (such as SGS or BV) can be commissioned to conduct a factory audit,focusing on verifying HACCP certification (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and BRC certification (British Retail Consortium standard) implementation,ensuring raw material traceability (e.g.butter sourced from Vreugdenhil Farm in the Netherlands) and production environment compliance.

(V) Customs Compliance and Clearance Operations (Step 6)

Output:

When pre-entering the customs declaration,accurately report “Country of Origin” (Netherlands),“Purpose” (domestic sale),and “Brand” (e.g.Speculoos,Janssen),and attach the “Registration Number of the Overseas Food Manufacturing Enterprise” (clients must file this with the General Administration of Customs in advance).If inspection occurs (probability ≈ 15 %),the agent will coordinate customs sampling (≈ 500 g per batch) for testing; test items include additive residues such as benzoic acid (≤ 1.0 g/kg) and sorbic acid (≤ 1.0 g/kg).The report is usually issued within 3–5 working days.

(VI) Certification Reminder: Key steps that customers must complete on their own

Output:

Please note: Zhongshen does not provide certification services,but will inform clients in advance of the certifications they need to complete:

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:Through"importedfood"Submitfactoryqualificationsthroughthe“BusinessFilingSystem”toobtainaCustomsGeneralAdministrationregistrationnumber(validfor5years);
• Chineselabelfiling:Thelabelmustdisplay11itemsincluding“productname,ingredientlist,productiondate,shelflife(≥6months),storageconditions(ambient/refrigerated),”etc.;filingisrecommendedtobecompleted30daysinadvance;
• Entry-ExitInspectionandQuarantine:Aftercustomsclearance,on-siteinspectionandlaboratorytestingbythecustomsauthoritymustbecompleted;onlyafterpassingwillthe“InspectionandQuarantineCertificateforImportedGoods”beissued,allowingtheproductstobemarketedandsold.

V.Summary of Partnership Value: The Professional Agent as a “Risk Firewall” and “Efficiency Accelerator”

By choosing Shenzhen World Trade Center as an agent for importing Dutch cookies,companies can focus on their core businesses without having to invest resources in studying complex trade rules (such as the requirements for recyclable materials in the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in 2024) or building up infrastructure.or to cope with sudden disruptions (such as the sailing delays caused by the Suez Canal congestion in 2023).With our three safeguards—"0% documentation error rate," "committed transit-time guarantee," and "compliance risk early-warning system"—we help customers achieve import goals of "controllable cost,predictable lead time,and avoidable risk."

From the Rotterdam bakery to the Chinese consumer’s table,every box of Dutch cookies imported is a testament to the value of professional agency services.With a 20-year track record,Zhongshen International Trade lives by the mission of “Making Import Easier,” safeguarding every step of your trade journey.