Japanese Biscuits Under the New Opportunities of Sino-Japanese Food Tradevalue

In recent years,driven by the entry into force of the RCEP agreement and the upgrading of domestic consumption,Sino-Japanese food trade has continued to heat up.According to customs data for 2023,China’s imports of food products from Japan increased by 12.7% year-on-year,with baked goods (including cookies) accounting for more than 20% of the total.Against this backdrop,professionalThe importance of agency services is becoming increasingly evident—from document compliance to logistics optimization,and from dealing with trade barriers toWith improved efficiency,agency companies are becoming the core partners for Japanese cookie importers in reducing risks and enhancing efficiency.

The core competence of Japanese biscuit import agents: professional barriers in documentation and logistics

I.Documentation Processing: The "Invisible Defense Line" for Full-Chain Compliance

Output:

The document system for importing Japanese biscuits can be regarded as the "ID card of trade compliance",and its completeness and accuracy directly determine the efficiency and cost of customs clearance.Professional agent enterprises need to pay special attention to the following documents:

• BasicCommercialDocuments:Commericalinvoice(indicatingthetransactionmethodsuchasCIF/FOB,andtheorigin),packinglist(indicatingthegrossweight/netweightandspecifications/models),billoflading.Itisnecessarytochecktheshipnameandvoyagenumber.Splitairwaybillinformationneedstobeconfirmed);
• OfficialQualificationDocuments:AhealthcertificateissuedbytheJapaneseMinistryofHealth,LabourandWelfare(whichmustlisttheregisterednumberoftheproductionenterpriseandconfirmthattheproductingredientsandadditivescomplywiththeJapaneseFoodSanitationLaw);(UnderRCEP,FORMEcanbeappliedfortoenjoytariffconcessions);
• Specialrequirementsfordocuments:Ingredientanalysisreport(focusonverifyingthesugarandfatcontent,andwhetheritcontainsdairy/nutallergens),productiondateandshelflifecertificate(mustbeconsistentwiththespraycodeontheouterbox),andasampleoftheChineselabelforprepackagedfood(incompliancewiththerequirementsofGB7718-2011).

The professional value of the agency company is reflected in the following aspects: 1) Pre-auditing the consistency of documentary evidence (e.g.ensuring the invoice amount matches the cargo value on the bill of lading); 2) Anticipating customs concerns (e.g.identifying high-sugar biscuits that may trigger laboratory testing); 3) Quickly rectifying missing documents (e.g.coordinating with the Japanese side to reissue a health certificate that lacks the “meets China’s import requirements” label).

II.Logistics Management: From "Door-to-Door" to the "Cost-Optimal Solution"

Output:

The import logistics of Japanese biscuits requires balancing delivery speed and cost,and agents need to tailor solutions based on the characteristics of the goods.

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Forregularbiscuits(withlongshelflife),werecommendshippingthembyFCL(fullcontainerload),withacostaslowas0.8-1.2USDperkilogram.Forhigh-endbiscuitswithashortshelflife(≤30days),airfreightisrecommended(deliverytime3-5days),butthecostisapproximately5-8USDperkilogram.
• Speciallogisticsrequirements:Cookiewithchocolatecoatingneedstobetransportedinacoldchain(withatemperaturecontrolof2-8°C),anditisnecessarytoconfirmtheavailabilityofrefrigeratedcontainers(ReeferContainers)fromshippingcompanies/airlinesinadvance.
• Multimodaltransportoptimization:Forthere-exportbusinesstoRussia,wecancombinetheTIRConvention(InternationalRoadTransportConvention)andtransportthegoodsbylandthroughtheManzhouliPorttoRussia,whichcanshortenthecustomsclearancetimeby2-3days.

In addition,the agent enterprises can enjoy the convenience of "priority inspection and accelerated customs clearance" provided by the customs through AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification.The clearance time of ordinary goods is shortened from 5-7 days to 2-3 days,and urgent goods can be cleared immediately after declaration.

The advantages of VTB in foreign exchange settlement for Russian transit business: dual guarantees of fund safety and efficiency

Some importers purchase Japanese biscuits and resell them to Russia,at which point the efficiency of foreign exchange settlement becomes crucial.We have established a long-term cooperation with VTB Bank,offering three major advantages in foreign exchange settlement:

• Hedgingagainstexchange-raterisk:ThroughVTB’sreal-timeexchangeratequotationsystem,youcanlockinthebestexchangeratewithinthreeworkingdaystoavoidlossesduetofluctuationsintheJPY-rubleexchangerate.
• Thepaymentchannelisstable:VTB,asasystemicallyimportantbankinRussia,retainssomeinterfacesintheSWIFTsystem,whichincreasesthesuccessrateofreceivingpaymentsfromRussiaby40%comparedwithordinarybanks.
• Feewaiver:Forclientswithanannualsettlementvolumeexceeding5millionUSdollars,theycanenjoya0.1%discountontransactionfees(theindustryaverageis0.3–0.5%).

Japanese Biscuit Import Guide | Professional Control from Consultation to Delivery

1.Customer Inquiry: Deeply Explore the Customer’s Needs

Output:

The agent company needs to clarify the client’s core requirements: cookie type (crispy/chewy/filled),HS code (e.g.1905.3100 - sweet cookies),annual import volume (determines logistics solutions),target market (domestic sales/transit to Russia),and whether the products contain sensitive ingredients (e.g.milk powder requires an additional health certificate for importing dairy products into China).

2.Negotiation and signing of the contract: Review of the compliance of the contract terms

Output:

The key points of the review include trade terms (it is recommended to use CIF Shanghai,as the agent company can control the transportation risks),the quality objection period (it is suggested to set 45 days to cover the inspection and quarantine period),and the liability for breach of contract (such as the sharing of demurrage fees incurred when the Japanese side delays delivery).

3.Orders and Payments: Payment Method Risk Control

Output:

For small orders (≤$100,000),we recommend a T/T prepayment (30%) plus payment of the balance (70%) upon receipt of the bill of lading copy; for large orders,we suggest using L/C as the payment method.For Letters of Credit (L/C),the agency can assist in reviewing the terms of the L/C (for example,if the requirement to "submit a certificate from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries" is beyond the scope of the L/C,it needs to be modified).

4.Production supervision: Confirmation of standard consistency

Output:

Although they are not directly involved in production,agency companies assist clients in verifying whether the Japanese side complies with the following requirements: 1) China’s GB 2760 food additive standards (e.g.the limit for antimony in raising agents is ≤100mg/kg); 2) pre-audit of labels (to avoid making "low-sugar" claims without testing reports).

5-9.Follow-up steps: Prioritize both compliance and efficiency

Output:

The logistics process requires tracking the cargo’s status (such as obtaining the arrival time in real-time through the shipping company’s API system); during the customs compliance stage,it is necessary to pre-enter the customs declaration form (ensuring that the product name and specifications match the actual ones),calculate the tariffs (15% Most Favored Nation tariff,which will be reduced to 12% under the RCEP in 2024) and value-added tax (13%); upon delivery,verify the cargo and documents (such as ensuring that the container seal number matches the bill of lading); and during the quality assurance period,assist in handling label corrections (such as adding a Chinese nutrition label) or returning the goods (if aflatoxin exceeds the standard).

Important notice: Certification requires advance planning.The agency does not provide processing services for it.

The import of Japanese biscuits involves two types of key certifications,which require customers to handle them themselves or entrust third parties to do so:

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:Japanesemanufacturersneedtocompletetheregistrationprocessinthe"ImportedFoodOverseasManufacturingEnterprisesRegistrationManagementSystem"oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms(registrationnumberformat:JPN+6digits).Agentscanassistinverifyingtheregistrationstatus,buttheycannothandletheregistrationprocessonbehalfofthemanufacturers.
• Chineselabelfiling:Pre-packagedbiscuitsmustcompletethelabelreview(submittedvia"Internet+Customs")beforeimportation.Theagentcompanymayprovidealabeltemplateforreference,butisnotresponsibleforthefilingprocess.

Conclusion: Professional agents enable the "low risk and high efficiency" import of Japanese biscuits

Under the backdrop of a complex international trade environment (such as the potential inspection escalation triggered by Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge into the sea) and increasingly stringent domestic supervision (with imported food products requiring the addition of an "importer’s information traceability code" starting from 2024),selecting a foreign trade agent with capabilities in document processing,logistics optimization,and compliance risk management has become a core strategy for Japanese biscuit importers to reduce customs clearance risks and improve capital turnover efficiency.With 20 years of industry experience,Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.continues to provide clients with a full-chain professional service from "consultation to delivery",helping high-quality Japanese biscuits efficiently enter the Chinese market.