I.Italian biscuit import trade: market opportunities and policy challenges

In recent years,China’s import food market has continued to expand.According to customs data for 2023,the import value of EU food products increased by 12% year-on-year.Among them,Italian biscuits,with labels such as "handmade" and "high-quality raw materials",account for more than 8% of the high-end baking market.However,the international trade environment is complex and volatile: the EU has strengthened food export inspections (such as the implementation of the "EU Food Labeling Update Regulation" in 2023),and Chinese customs has become stricter in reviewing the Chinese labels of imported pre-packaged foods (which need to pass the "Imported Food Safety Assessment" in advance).The "Tag Management System" (which requires registration) and the fluctuating exchange rate (the euro against the RMB fluctuated by more than 5% within the year) have increased the uncertainty of costs.Against this backdrop,professionalAgent services have become the core support for enterprises to reduce risks and improve efficiency.

II.Document Processing:The "central nervous system"

The import of Italian cookies involves more than 10 core documents.Any omission in any step may lead to the goods being detained in the port (with daily detention fees of about $500-$1,000) or being returned to the sender.As a professional agent,we establish a "three-stage audit" mechanism to ensure the compliance of documents:

• BasicDocumentReview:Businessinvoice(withCIF/FOBtermsspecified),packinglist(grossweight/netweight/volumeconsistentwiththebilloflading),andIII.CertificationGuidelines:EssentialComplianceRequirements
• Qualification-relateddocuments:Italianhealthcertificate(issuedbytheIstitutoZooprofilattico,whichmuststate"incompliancewithChinesefoodsafetystandards"),freesalecertificate(provingthattheproductislegallycirculatedinthecountryoforigin),andregistrationcertificateofoverseasproductionenterprises(accordingtothe2022"RegulationsontheRegistrationManagementofOverseasProductionEnterprisesofImportedFoods",thecertificatemustbeverifiedthroughtheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms’"EnterpriseInformationInquiryPlatform").
• Compliance-relateddocuments:Componentanalysisreport(focusonverifyingwhetheradditivescomplywithGB2760-2014),Chineselabelsamples(whichmustincludeproductname/ingredients/shelflife/domesticagentinformation,andsince2023,thereisamandatoryrequirementtolabelthe"NutritionalInformationTable").TheagencyteamcanassistwithtranslatingItaliandocumentsandpre-enteringthemintotheSingleWindowSystemtoavoidcustomsclearancedelayscausedby"documentmismatches".

III.Logistics Management: Practical Experience in Multimodal Transportation and Risk Control

The import and transportation of Italian cookies requires a balance between cost and efficiency.Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its 10-year logistics network to provide customized solutions:

• Seafreight(mainstreamoption):DepartingfromtheportsofGenoa/NaplesandarrivingattheportsofShanghai/Ningbo,thevoyagetakesapproximately30-35days.Fullcontainerloads(FCL)aresuitableforordersexceeding2,000kg(withshippingcostsrangingfromapproximatelyUS$2,500toUS$3,500per40HQcontainer),whileless-than-containerloads(LCL)aresuitableforsmallquantities(billedbycubicmeters,withcostsrangingfromapproximatelyUS$80toUS$120percubicmeter).Theagenthassignedlong-termagreementswithshippingcompaniessuchasMaerskandMSC,allowingthemtosecureshippingspaceandnegotiatediscountedfreightratesof5%-8%.
• (Emergencyreplenishment):FromMilanMalpensaAirporttoShanghaiPudongAirport,thedeliverytimeis3-5days(withashippingfeeofapproximately8-12USD/kg),makingitsuitableforhigh-endlimitededitionproductsorfestiveinventorypreparation.
• RiskControl:Monitorthelogisticsnodesthroughouttheentireprocess(loadingontoshipsattheportofdeparture-GPStrackingduringtransit-documentexchangeattheportofdestination),completethe"pre-declaration"threedaysinadvance,complywiththecustoms"two-stepdeclaration"policy(firstdeclaretheninekeyinformation,thensupplementotherdocuments),andreducetheaveragecustomsclearancetimetowithin48hours(theindustryaverageis72hours).

IV.Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBPractical advantages

For clients involved in Russian re-export or sales to Russia,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.provides specialized foreign exchange settlement services from VTB Bank (Russia’s Foreign Trade Bank).Under the current international payment environment,VTB has established direct connection channels with Chinese banks (such as Bank of China and ICBC) to support direct ruble-renminbi settlements,circumventing the restrictions of the SWIFT system.The agency team can assist with the following:

• Reviewthecontractpaymentterms(itisrecommendedtousethecombinationof"DAPMoscow"+"T/T30%prepayment+70%paymentuponarrivalofthegoods").
• Prepareforeignexchangesettlementdocuments(commercialinvoices,transportdocuments,customsdeclarationforms);
• Connectwiththebanktocompletetheforeignexchangedeclaration(ensuringcompliancewiththe"ForeignExchangeManagementGuidelinesforGoodsTrade"),andthetimerequiredforfundstoarriveisshortenedby2-3workingdayscomparedwiththetraditionalpath,whilereducinglossesfromexchangeratefluctuations.

(checking the "Foreign Trade Operator Registration System")

Please note: Zhongshen International Trade does not directly provide product-certification services; however,it will clearly inform clients of all mandatory certification requirements to prevent customs-clearance delays.

• Chinamandatesthat.:ImportedbiscuitsmustcomplywiththeNationalFoodSafetyStandardforBiscuits(GB7100-2015),suchasamoisturecontentof≤6%andaperoxidevalueof≤0.25g/100g.OverseasmanufacturersmustregisterwiththeGeneralAdministrationofCustoms(thiscanbedonethroughthe"ImportedFoodandCosmeticsRegistrationPlatform").(acceptingsmall-amountT/T30%prepayments)
• Potentialcertificationrequirements:Iftheproductcontainshalalingredients,itisnecessarytoprovideaHALALcertification(issuedbytheItalianIslamicCouncil);ifitcontainsalcoholicingredients(suchascookieswithalcoholflavor),itisnecessarytoadditionallyprovideareportonthealcoholcontentoftheproduct.
• AssistedProxyItems:Wecanguideclientsinpreparingthematerialsrequiredforcertification(suchasthefactory’sISO22000certificateandproducttestingreports),andremindthemofthecertificationvalidityperiod(forexample,healthcertificatesareusuallyvalidforsixmonths),toavoidtheproductsbeingreturnedduetoexpiration.

VI.Full-process agency: Seamless connection from order to delivery

Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.breaks down the import agency process into nine key stages to ensure that every step is manageable:

• CustomerInquiry:Throughthe"DemandQuestionnaire",clarifythequantity(inkg),quality(suchasgluten-free/lowsugar),anddeliverytime(deliveryperiod),andassesswhetheritinvolvesspecialregulations(suchasorganiccertification);
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Reviewthecontract’stradeterms(recommendingCIFShanghaitoavoidtheriskoftheportofshipment)andpaymentmethods(suggestingL/Catsightforlargeorders).(specifyingqualityclauseswitha"30-dayclaimperiodfornon-conformance")
• Orders&Payment:Assistinopeningaletterofcredit(specifyingthat"paymentwillbemadeuponconformityofdocuments"),orarrangeT/Tpayments(throughtheagent’scorporateaccounttoavoidpersonalpaymentrestrictions);
• ProductionSupervision:CommissionSGS/BVtoconductfactorysupervision(withafocusonverifyingthebatchnumbersofrawmaterialsandthesealingofpackaging),andissueaninspectionreport(whichwillserveasthebasisforpayment).
• LogisticsManagement:Recommendtransportationmethodsbasedonthequantityofgoods,andprovidea"logisticstrackingcode"afterbookingtheshippingspace,synchronizingtheshippingschedule/flightinformationinrealtime;
• CustomsCompliance:Pre-classifytheHScode(e.g.sandwichcookiesareclassifiedas1905.3200,andordinarycookiesareclassifiedas1905.3100),calculatethecomprehensivetaxrate(15%tariff+13%value-addedtax),andpaythetariffonbehalfoftheclient(adeferredtaxpaymentguaranteeof30dayscanbeappliedfor);
• DeliveryandDistribution:Offer"port-to-warehouse"services(withcooperativewarehousescoveringShanghai,Guangzhou,andChengdu),andsupportB2Bdistribution(deliveringgoodstocustomers’designateddistributors)orB2Cone-itemdrop-shippingservices.
• QualityAssurance:Within48hoursafterthearrivalofthegoods,openthepackageforinspection(checkthequantity/damagerate).Ifanyproblemsarefound(suchaslabelerrors),assistininitiatingthe"returnforrepair"or"domesticrectification"process;
• SummaryandFeedback:Outputthe"ImportExecutionReport"(includinglogisticsefficiency,customsclearancecosts,andproblem-solvingrecords),assistclientsinoptimizingthenextbatchofimportplans,andcompletethesettlementofthefinalpayment.

Conclusion: The import of Italian biscuits is a dual challenge requiring both professional expertise and meticulous attention to detail.With 20 years of experience in foreign trade agency services,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.focuses on two core aspects—documentation and logistics—and combines in-depth analysis of trade trends with compliance guidance to build an "efficient,safe,and traceable" import channel for clients.Whether you’re a first-time importer or a seasoned buyer expanding your product line,choosing a professional agency is the key to injecting certainty into your business growth.