I.The current international trade situation and opportunities for importing French cakes

With the deepening of Sino-French economic and trade cooperation (the bilateral trade volume between China and France increased by 8.2% year-on-year in 2023),French baked goods have seen surging demand in China’s high-end food market,thanks to their reputation for using high-quality raw materials from their origin regions and traditional craftsmanship.The EU’s "2023-2027 Agricultural and Food Strategy" emphasizes the traceability requirements for exported food products,combined with the Chinese General Administration of Customs’ "Optimized Management Scheme for the Registration of Overseas Food Manufacturers in 2024",which means that imported French cakes need to pay more attention to compliance.Meanwhile,the transit demand for French pastries in the Russian market has risen (the Sino-Russian food trade volume increased by 15% in 2023),providing new opportunities for French baked goods to expand their market share in China and Russia.Business brings new growth points.

II.Core Services of Import Agents: Professional Capabilities in Document Processing and Logistics Management

(I) Document Processing: The "Pass" for Full-Process Compliance

Output:

The import of French cakes involves 12 types of core documents,which need to be accurately matched with the rules of China,France,and international regulations.

• BasicCommercialDocuments:Businessinvoices(whichmustspecifytradetermssuchas"EXWParisFactory"or"CIFShanghai")andpackinglists(whichmustlistthenetweight,grossweight,andtemperaturecontrolrequirementsofeachboxofcakes).
• OriginandQualityCertificates:EuropeanUnion(InEur.1format,subjecttothesignatureoftheFrenchCustomsAdministration),ahealthcertificateissuedbytheFrenchMinistryofAgricultureandFood(whichmustindicate"incompliancewithECRegulation852/2004onfoodhygiene"),andaningredienttestingreport(whichmustcovermicrobiologicalindicatorsandadditivecompliance).
• Transportationandcustomsclearancedocuments:BillofladingB/L,ColdChainTransportationmusthavedesignation“ReeferContainer,溫度Seta-2℃to2℃”）,InsurancepolicyProcessandFrequentlyAskedQuestionsforExportingMiningMachinerytoSoutheastAsia|ShanghaiImport/ExportAgentCIFterms下musthaveinthecontainer“AllRisks+冷藏carriedbyforeigntransportationenterprisesRisk”）.

The document team has more than 10 years of experience in food import and can achieve the "3-1" standard: completing document pre-review within one working day,passing customs document review in one go,and permanently storing one set of electronic files (in accordance with the "Regulations on the Establishment of Customs Supervision Workplaces (Sites)").

(2) Logistics Management: A Dual Guarantee of Temperature Control and Timeliness

Output:

French cakes are perishable food items,and their logistics must strictly adhere to the "3T principles" (Time,Temperature,Tolerance).Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its global logistics network (in deep cooperation with Maersk Cold Chain and DHL Temperature-Controlled Transportation) to provide customized solutions:

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Forsmallbatches(lessthan500kg),itishighlyrecommendedtochoosethisoption.Transportation(Paris-Shanghaitakesabout12hours,usingULDcontainerswithtemperaturecontrol);Forlargequantities(>2tons),maritimerefrigeratedcontainersarerecommended(requiringtheuseofrefrigeratedcontainerscertifiedbytheTIRConvention,withtemperaturerecordersuploadingdatatothecustomssupervisionsysteminrealtime).
• CustomsClearanceCoordination:24hoursinadvance,sendthe"manifestinformation"totheChineseCustomsandutilizethe"two-stepdeclaration"mode(summarydeclaration+completedeclaration)toshortenthecustomsclearancetime;within3hoursafterarrivingattheport,completethe"cargohandling-unloadingcontainers-checkingandverifyingtemperaturerecords",ensuringthatthetemperaturedifferencebetween"fromthefactorytothewarehouse"is≤1℃.
• Last-miledelivery:IncooperationwithJDLogisticsandSFExpressColdTransportation,weprovide"last-mile"B2B/B2Cdeliveryservices(withfull-processGPStrackingandtemperaturemonitoring),andrequirecustomerstoconfirmthetemperaturereadingsuponreceiptofthegoods.

III.Business Expansion into Russia: VTBEfficiency and cost advantages

In response to the Russian customers’ demand for purchasing French cakes for resale,Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its partnership with Russia to meet this demand.A strategic cooperation with the bank (VTB) to provide dedicated services for foreign exchange settlements:

• Exchangerateadvantage:AsoneofRussia’slargestcommercialbanks,VTBhasestablishedadirectclearingchannelwithBankofChina,offeringaforeignexchangeratethatis0.3to0.5percentagepointsbetterthanthemarketaverage.
• Time-limitguarantee:UsingtheSWIFTMT103telegraphictransfermodeinconjunctionwiththe"China-RussiaLocalCurrencySettlementAgreement",cross-borderpaymentsinrubles/renminbicanbesettledwithinT+1days(whileconventionalbankstypicallyrequireT+3days).
• RiskControl:Offerthe"exchangeratelocking"service(throughforwardforeignexchangecontracts)toavoidtheriskofrubleexchangeratefluctuations(thefluctuationrangeoftherubleagainsttheRMBreached12%in2023).

IV.Client Notice: Key Certification Points and the Scope of Agency Services

Importing French cakes requires customers to complete the following certifications themselves (Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.does not provide certification processing services):

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:TheFrenchcakefactoryneedstoregisterinChina(applythroughthe"RegistrationManagementSystemforOverseasFoodProductionEnterprises"),asrequiredbytheGeneralAdministrationofCustomsinitsAnnouncementNo.12of2024.
• FoodContactMaterialCompliance:ThepackagingmustcomplywiththeEURegulationEC1935/2004(withafocusonverifyingthemigrationlevelsofplasticandpaperpackaging),anda"DeclarationofConformity(DoC)"mustbeprovided.
• Chineselabelfiling:ItisnecessarytolabelaccordingtoGB7718-2011:"Countryoforigin,domesticagent,shelflife(whichshallbe≤theactualtransportationandstoragetime)",andthesamplelabelsmustberegisteredwiththecustomsinadvance.

It is recommended that clients entrust professional certification agencies (such as SGS and Bureau Veritas) to handle the certification process.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.can provide auxiliary services including "certification materials translation and requirement interpretation".

5.Full-process operation of import agency: a closed-loop service from consultation to feedback

1.Client Consultation & Demand Confirmation

Output:

Through the "Demand Survey Form",clarify the product type (cream cake/macaron,etc.),quantity (kg/ton),destination (Shanghai/Beijing,etc.),and special requirements (halal certification,etc.),and assess whether it involves cold chain qualifications (requires the client to provide a cold storage operation license).

2.Negotiation and signing of contracts,and contract review

Output:

The key points to review include trade terms (it is recommended to use DAP Shanghai,which clarifies the "unloading responsibility"),payment methods (L/C 90 days later is more beneficial for customers’ capital turnover),and quality breach clauses (such as the compensation ratio for exceeding the temperature standard upon arrival at the port).

3.Order execution and payment arrangements

Output:

Through the payment mode of T/T prepayment (30%) + final payment (70% upon receipt of the bill of lading copy),combined with VTB’s foreign exchange settlement tools,we completed the cross-border payment.At the same time,we sent the "Order Confirmation (PO)" to the French supplier,noting that "the raw material traceability code must be verifiable".

4.Production supervision and factory inspection and verification

Output:

Delegate third-party quality inspection (such as Intertek) to supervise the production process in the factory,with a focus on checking the following aspects: raw material batches (consistent with the health certificate),processing environment (ISO 22000 certification),packaging sealing (passing the vacuum test),and issuing a "Factory Compliance Report".

5.Customs compliance and tax payment

Output:

Pre-classify the HS code (1905.9000,with a tariff of 15% and a value-added tax of 13%),calculate the "duty-paid price" (CIF price + freight + insurance premiums); submit the customs declaration form through the "single window" and pay taxes simultaneously (supporting electronic payment,completing the process within 1 hour).

6.Delivery and final quality inspection

Output:

Within 24 hours after the goods arrive at the warehouse,the CIQ sampling inspection (focusing on the total number of colonies and Salmonella) shall be completed.If the inspection results are satisfactory,the goods will be released; if not (e.g.labeling is missing),we will assist clients in handling the procedures of "returning the goods (within 30 days)" or "destroying them (subject to customs supervision)".

7.Summarize the feedback and archive the files

Output:

Provide the "Import Execution Report" (including cost details,time-efficiency nodes,and problem-handling records),and archive all documents (originals + scanned copies) in the client’s dedicated cloud space (with a retention period of 5 years,in accordance with the "Customs Inspection Regulations").