New Trends in Sino-Japanese Food Trade: Opportunities and Challenges for Japanese Cookie Imports

In recent years,with the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the upgrading of Chinese consumption,Japan’s imports of pre-packaged food have continued to rise.According to customs data for 2023,the import value of Japanese biscuit products to China increased by 18% year-on-year,and special flavors such as matcha and raw chocolate have become consumer favorites.However,imported food is subject to dual supervision by both China and Japan (China Customs Tariff Commission Announcement No.248 and Japan’s Ministry of Health,Labour and Welfare’s "Food Hygiene Law"),making document compliance,logistics efficiency,and addressing trade barriers key challenges.As a professionalThe agent,relying on 20 years of practical experience,provides enterprises with a full-chain agency service covering "ordering - customs clearance - delivery",with a focus on breaking through the two core links of documentation and logistics.

Document Processing: Precise Control of Import "Passport"

The document compliance of Japanese biscuit imports directly affects the efficiency of customs clearance and the release of goods.According to the summary of the document team of Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.the following documents are essential to be prepared:

• BasicTradeDocuments:Commericalinvoice(whichmustspecifythetransactionmethod,suchasCIF/FOB,andtheunitpriceclause),packinglist(whichmustlistthenet/grossweightofeachboxandthespecifications).Thebilloflading(electronicrelease/originalcopyneedstobeprovided)consistentwithterms);
• CertificateofOriginandSanitation:FORME(EnjoythetariffpreferencesoftheRCEP),the"FoodHygieneCertificateforExporttoChina"issuedbytheJapaneseMinistryofHealth,LabourandWelfare(whichmustindicatetheproductionenterprise’sregistrationnumberandthattheproductingredientsandadditivescomplywiththeChineseGB2760standard);
• Specialregulatorydocuments:Ingredientlist(includingallergeninformation;forexample,iftheproductcontainswheatordairyproducts,itmustbelabeledaccordingly)andasampleoftheouterpackaginglabel(theChineselabelmustberegisteredinadvancetoavoidneedingtomakerectificationsaftertheproductarrivesattheport).

The Zhong Shen team ensures the quality of documents through a "three-review system": First reviewCheck the completeness of the documents (such as whether the validity period of the health certificate covers the arrival time in Hong Kong).ReviewVerify the consistency of the data (such as ensuring that the gross weight on the bill of lading matches the one on the packing list).Final reviewMatch the HS code of the customs (Japanese biscuits are usually classified under 2008.1100,and the "brand,type,and ingredient content" in the declaration must be confirmed).When acting as an agent for an importer,I once discovered that the health certificate provided by the Japanese side did not include a "low sugar" declaration (which did not match the claims on the Chinese label),and promptly coordinated to rectify the situation,thus avoiding the risk of the goods being returned by the customs after arriving at the port.

Logistics management: Full-chain control from Japanese factories to Chinese warehouses

Japanese biscuits are lightweight products (with a density of approximately 0.5–0.7 g/cm3),and products containing cream or chocolate are sensitive to temperature and humidity.Therefore,the logistics solution needs to balance cost and quality.Zhong Shen provides differentiated solutions based on the characteristics of the goods:

• LCL(LessthanContainerLoad)shipping:Suitableforsmallbatch(15CBM)andnon-time-sensitivegoods.Bybookingshippingspacewithmajorshippingcompanies(suchasMitsuiOSKLinesandJapanMailSteamshipCompany)inmajorportsofKantoandKansairegions(TokyoandOsaka),wecanintegratebulkcargoresourcestoreduceunitcosts.
• Directshippingbyfullcontainerload:Forlargeorders(≥20GP)orfragileitems(suchassandwichcookies),choosea12-14-daydirectshippingroute(Kobe-Shanghai/Ningbo)toreducetransitlosses;
• Urgent:Forthepromotionofnewproductsorholiday-limitededitions,weuseall-cargoflightsfromNarita/HanedaAirporttoShanghaiPudongAirport(deliverywithin48hours),combinedwiththe"advanceddeclaration"mode(completingcustomsdeclarationbeforethegoodsarriveattheport),toachieve"deliveryuponarrival".

In the operation at the port of destination,Zhongshen has established a "green channel" with the customs brokers of major domestic ports (Shanghai Outer Port,Ningbo Meishan,and Guangzhou Nansha),through whichPre-entry of the manifestReduce the time required for document exchange.Inspection declaration and customs declaration can be processed simultaneouslyReduce customs clearance time.In 2022,when importing 300 boxes of raw chocolate cookies for a client,we coordinated with the customs in advance regarding temperature control requirements (storage below 20°C).We ensured that the inspection site was equipped with a thermal shelter to complete the inspection and release of the goods within 3 hours,thereby avoiding melting and resulting losses.

Compliance Tip: Clients are responsible for ensuring compliance and managing risks themselves

Please note: Zhong Shen does not provide product certification services,but will clearly inform clients of the compliance matters they need to handle on their own.

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:JapanesebiscuitmanufacturersmustberegisteredontheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms’"ListofOverseasFoodProductionEnterprisesRegisteredforImport"(whichcanbecheckedonthe"Internet+Customs"platform);
• ChineseLabelReview:ThelabelsmustcomplywithGB7718(GeneralStandardsfortheLabelingofPrepackagedFoods),andtheymustbeapprovedbythe"ImportedFoodInspectionandQuarantineBureau"inadvance.Submitthesampleforthe"TagRegistrationSystem";
• Additivecompliance:ThefoodadditivesusedbytheJapaneseside(suchascolorantsandpreservatives)mustbewithinthescopeallowedbyGB2760inChina.Itisrecommendedthatclientsrequiresupplierstoprovidea"AdditiveUseManual".

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBthe efficiency advantage

If a client exports Japanese cookies to Russia through Zhong Shen Agent (for example,(Scene) Relying on the strategic cooperation between Zhong Shen and VTB Bank (Russia’s foreign trade bank),we can provide efficient foreign exchange settlement services.Currently,the proportion of RMB-ruble settlements between China and Russia exceeds 80%.As a systemically important bank in Russia,VTB enjoys exchange rate advantages in direct RMB-Ruble conversions (with a spread of 0.3%-0.5% lower than the market average) and supports T+1 settlement (while traditional agents typically require 3-5 days).In 2023,when assisting a client in completing a $200,000 cookie export order to Russia,we saved approximately 12,000 yuan in financial costs through VTB foreign exchange settlement.

End-to-end representation: a closed-loop service from consultation to feedback

Zhong Shen willDivided into 9 major stages,the entire process is transparent and controllable:

• CustomerInquiry:Confirmtheimportquantity(numberofboxes/weight),brand/category(suchasJapaneseconfectionerycookies/sodacrackers),andcustomsclearanceports(preferablyportswithintheclient’swarehousecoveragearea);
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Definethescopeofservices(whetheritincludesadvancepaymentofthegoods),agencyfees(chargedonaslidingscaleof1%to3%ofthevalueofthegoods),andliabilityclauses(forexample,ifthedemurragefeesincurredduetoerrorsintheshippingdocumentsaretobebornebyZhingshen);
• Orders&Payment:AssistinreviewingtheJapanesePI(proformainvoice),andarrangeforT/Tprepayment(usually30%)orissuingaletterofcredit(L/C)(requiringtheclienttoprovideadeposit);
• ProductionSupervision:Ifrequestedbytheclient,wecanentrustalocalthird-partyorganizationinJapan(suchasJQA)toverifythehygieneoftheproductionworkshop(inaccordancewithHACCPstandards)andthesealingofthepackaging.
• LogisticsManagement:Choosetransportmodebasedoncargovolume,providebookingconfirmation,shippinginstruction(SI)confirmation;
• CustomsCompliance:Pre-categorizedHScode(withatariffrateof15%inNovember2008andeligiblefor0tariffsundertheRCEP),calculationofthecomprehensivetariffrate(tariff+13%value-addedtax),andtaxpaymentonbehalfofclients;
• DeliveryandDistribution:Delivertothecustomer’sdesignatedwarehousethroughcooperativefleets(suchasAnNengandJDLogistics)andprovideaPOD(signaturereceipt);
• QualityAssurance:Spotcheckouterpackaging(nodamage/dampness),verifybatchnumberconsistencywithhealthcertificate;
• SummaryandFeedback:Providethe"ImportFullProcessReport"(includingcostdetailsandtimeefficiencyanalysis),andsettlethefinalpaymentwithin3workingdays.

Conclusion: Professional agents make importing easier

The import of Japanese biscuits involves multi-dimensional challenges in trade,logistics,and compliance.Choosing an agent service provider with experience in document processing,logistics resource integration,and risk prediction can significantly reduce hidden costs such as port congestion and product returns.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.with 20 years of expertise in foreign trade agency services,adheres to the service standards of "zero errors in documents and zero delays in logistics," helping enterprises seize the golden opportunity period for Japanese food imports.