Italian imported cookies: Key preparations and document requirements before importation

Italian handmade biscuits are deeply favored by domestic consumers for their crispy texture and unique flavor,but the complexity of the import process often deters novice enterprises.Starting from the document preparation stage,professional assistance is essential to ensure a smooth import process.The value of the agent has become apparent—We have accumulated over 10 years of experience in handling import documents for food products,enabling us to precisely control critical stages of the process.

The core documents for importing Italian biscuits include: a commercial invoice (which must specify the description of the goods,the unit price,the total amount,and the seller’s signature),a packing list (which lists the weight,dimensions,and detailed information of each box of goods),and a certificate of origin (which confirms the country of origin of the goods).(EU countries typically issue General Certificates of Origin.If the tariff rate under the ASEAN Agreement is involved,a FORM E is required.) An official health certificate issued by Italy (which must include the product ingredients,the manufacturer’s information,and a declaration of compliance with EU food standards).A report on ingredient testing (highlighting the types and contents of additives,and ensuring compliance with China’s GB 2760 standard).Special note: The HS code for biscuit products is typically 1905.31 (filled biscuits) or 1905.32 (other biscuits).Declarants must accurately classify these products,otherwise they may face customs inquiries or the risk of additional tax payments.

The professional team of Zhong Shen International Trade will initiate pre-audit of documents 15 working days in advance,with a focus on verifying whether the health certificate is issued by an authorized agency of the Italian Ministry of Health,whether the ingredient testing report covers additives prohibited in China (such as some artificial dyes),and whether the HS code on the certificate of origin matches the actual goods.In 2022,a client once faced document failure after arrival due to failing to pay attention to the validity period of the health certificate (only 12 months).Through Zhong Shen International Trade’s urgent coordination with the Italian exporter to reissue the certificate,the client avoided losses from port detention fees—this is precisely the value of professional document processing.

Full control of the entire logistics chain: key nodes from the Milan warehouse to Chinese ports

The logistics process directly affects the import cost and delivery time.Most Italian biscuits are shipped from the ports of Genoa or Naples.To the ports of Shanghai,Shenzhen,or Ningbo in China,the transportation time is approximately 30-35 days (LCL) or 25-30 days (FCL).It is necessary to pay special attention to the fragile nature of biscuits.Zhong Sheng International Trade Co.Ltd.recommends using 5-layer corrugated cardboard boxes and air cushion bags for packaging.When using LCL,it is necessary to avoid mixing with liquids or heavy goods.For FCL,it is necessary to lay a moisture-proof film on the inner wall of the container (as the climate in Italy is humid,there is a high risk of condensation during maritime transportation).

After arriving at the port,the process consists of four steps: ① Document Exchange: Exchange the bill of lading (D/O) for the pick-up note based on the shipping company’s electronic release guarantee or original bill of lading.② Inspection Application: Submit the accompanying documents to the customs for inspection and quarantine.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.will pre-enter the inspection information into the Single Window System in advance to shorten the on-site processing time.③ Customs Declaration: When declaring,you need to link the inspection and quarantine number.Key declaration items include the country of origin,brand,and ingredient content (if the sugar content is ≥20%,it must be specified).④ Inspection and Release: If the customs conducts random inspections,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.’s on-site customs team will assist with opening the boxes and verifying the consistency of the goods with the documents.The process is typically completed within 24 hours.

The Q1 2023 data shows that the average time required for Italian biscuit imports handled by Zhong Shen International Trading Co.Ltd.to clear customs from arrival to release is 4.2 days,which is 30% shorter than the industry average.This is due to its in-depth cooperation with customs clearance agencies at ports such as Shanghai Outer Port and Shenzhen Yantian Port,as well as its independently developed logistics tracking system (which enables real-time monitoring of container locations,arrival times,and customs clearance progress).

Extension of Russia’s Market to Southeast Asia: Special Strategies for Different Regions

If the company plans to export Italian biscuits to Russia or Southeast Asia through Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.the following information should be noted:When using this template,please ensure that you comply with the specific rules of the region.

Russian Market: VTBThe convenience and advantages of n

The core pain point of trade with Russia is foreign exchange settlement.Due to the impact of international sanctions on Russia,some banks have been excluded from the SWIFT system,but VTB Bank (Sberbank of Russia),which cooperates with China Shenyin Guomao,still maintains an uninterrupted international settlement channel.The foreign exchange settlement process is as follows: After the two parties sign a contract,the Russian buyer opens an account at VTB Bank.Pay via Letter of Credit (L/C) or Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) to Zhongshen International Trade’s foreign exchange account; Zhongshen International TradeAfter that,the company converts the foreign exchange into RMB according to the enterprise’s needs (with the option of spot or forward lock-in to avoid the risk of ruble exchange rate fluctuations).During the significant fluctuations of the ruble in 2022,Zhong Shen International Trade helped clients control the exchange loss to within 2%,which was far lower than the average market exchange loss of 5%-8%.

Southeast Asian Market: Process Simplification and Certification Tips

When exporting to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia,you can take advantage of the RCEP agreement (requiring a FORM E certificate of origin,with tariffs reduced to 0-5%).Taking Indonesia as an example,additional customs clearance requirements include: ① HALAL certification (Zhong Shen International Trade will inform clients in advance that they need to apply for this certification from the Indonesian Ulama Council themselves,but we can assist with translating the company’s qualification documents); ② Product labels must be marked with ingredients,production dates,and expiration dates in Indonesian.For logistics,shipping to Vietnam can be via sea (Ho Chi Minh City Port) or land (Pingxiang Port).Zhong Shen International Trade cooperates with local customs brokers in Vietnam to provide "door-to-door" services,with the entire process taking 10-15 days.

Current International Trade Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Cookie Importation

In 2023,the international trade environment showed the characteristics of "strict supervision and high volatility",posing two major challenges to the import of Italian biscuits:

• EUExportRestrictions:ThenewregulationsoftheEuropeanUnionin2023requirethatexportedfoodproductsmustbeprovidedwithISO22000certificationfromtheproductionenterprises(previously,thisrequirementwasonlymandatoryforcertainproductcategories).Duringtheinitialstageofcooperation,ZhongShenInternationalTradeCo.Ltd.remindedclientstoverifywhetherItaliansupplierspossessthisqualification,inordertoavoidthesituationwhereexportersareunabletodelivergoodsduetothelackofcertification.
• China’simportsupervisionhasbeenupgraded:Thecustomsauthoritiesimplementadual-tracksystemof"documentreview+samplinginspection"forimportedfoods.Inthefirsthalfof2023,thesamplinginspectionrateforbiscuitsreached18%(comparedwith12%in2022).ZhongShenInternationalTradeCo.Ltd.advisesenterprisestosubmitsamplesforinspectioninadvance(theycanentrustthird-partyinspectionagenciessuchasSGS),toensurethattheingredientscomplywithChinesestandards.

The opportunities are equally significant: the domestic import food market has exceeded 1 trillion yuan,with an annual growth rate of 12% for biscuits; under the RCEP agreement,tariff preferences for more than 90% of goods in the Southeast Asian market will be implemented,creating room for transit trade.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.helps enterprises seize growth opportunities amid challenges through a combination of services including "document pre-review + logistics optimization + regional policy adaptation".

Certification Service Boundaries: What Professional Agents Can and Cannot Do

Regarding product certification,Zhong Shen International Trade clarifies the scope of its services: it does not directly handle certification procedures,but provides "checklist-style" guidance.For example,for imported biscuits,the following requirements must be met: ① The overseas production enterprise must register in China (apply through the General Administration of Customs’ "Registration Management System for Overseas Food Production Enterprises in China"); ② The importer in China must register (register with the market supervision department); ③ If special functions (such as low sugar) are involved,additional functional testing reports are required.Zhong Shen International Trade will,based on the specific information of the goods,list the "certification requirements checklist" and assist in organizing the application materials (such as translating enterprise qualifications,filling out registration forms),but the final submission and review will be completed by the enterprise or third-party agencies.This model not only avoids the risk of agent exceeding authority,but also ensures that clients will not face customs clearance delays due to information asymmetry.

Conclusion:

The customs clearance process for Italian imported cookies is essentially a comprehensive test of "document accuracy + logistics controllability + regional policy adaptability".With 20 years of foreign trade agency experience,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.has developed unique advantages in document processing,full-chain logistics management,and multi-regional market response,helping enterprises achieve "efficient import and secure operation" in a complex trade environment.