Analysis of the Import Trade Situation and Opportunities of Korean Cookies

In recent years,Sino-Korean food trade has continued to heat up driven by the benefits of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement).According to data from the General Administration of Customs in 2023,China’s total food imports from South Korea increased by 18.7% year-on-year,with baked products (including cookies) accounting for more than 35% and becoming the "growth engine" of imported food.South Korean cookies are in high demand in China’s high-end snack market due to their fine craftsmanship,diverse flavors (such as traditional rice cake flavors and cheese fillings) and strict quality control standards (in line with the MFDS regulations of the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety).However,it should be noted that with the implementation of the "Regulations on the Registration Management of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import" (Decree No.248 of the General Administration of Customs),overseas producers of imported cookies are required to complete registration in China and comply with domestic mandatory standards such as GB 7100-2015 "National Food Safety Standard for Cookies",which poses challenges for overseas producers.This places higher demands on the compliance capabilities of the company.

Import Agent Core Services: A Detailed Explanation of the Entire Document Processing Workflow

Documents areAs a "lifeline" in international trade,the ability of professional agents to handle documents directly affects the efficiency and cost of customs clearance.For Korean cookie imports,the key documents include:

• BasicCommercialDocumentsCommericalinvoice(whichmustspecifythetransactionmethodsuchasCIF/FOB,unitprice,andtotalamount),packinglist(whichliststhepackagingspecifications,grossweight/netweight,andnumberofitems),andbilloflading./masterandhousebills);
• CertificateUndertheChina-SouthKoreaFreeTradeAgreement(FTA),youcanapplyforaFORMEcertificateoforigin(notetherulesregarding"fullyobtained"or"substantialtransformation"toensuretheapplicationoftariffpreferences).
• OfficialhealthdocumentThehealthcertificateissuedbytheSouthKoreanauthoritiesmustspecifytheproduct’singredients,productiondate,shelflife,andastatementconfirmingcompliancewiththerequirementsoftheMinistryofFoodandDrugSafety(MFDS).
• QualityInspectionReportTheingredientanalysisreport(COA)mustincludethetypesandcontentofadditives(suchasleaveningagentsandpreservatives),whichneedtobecomparedwiththe"FoodAdditivesUseStandards"(GB2760-2014)inChina.
• OthersupportingdocumentsForexample,theimporter’sregistrationnumberforimportedfood,theautomaticimportlicense(usuallynotrequiredfornon-endangeredbiscuits),andthecontract(whichmustclearlyspecifythedisputeresolutionclauseandthequalityclaimperiod).

As a professional agent,we provide the following services in the document preparation phase: ① Pre-audit service: We verify document elements in advance (e.g.the classification differences between HS codes 8474.2000 and 8533.3100) to avoid overpaying tariffs or being subject to inspections due to incorrect HS codes.② Multi-language translation: We accurately translate Korean documents (such as health certificates) into Chinese and affix translation stamps to ensure compliance with customs declaration requirements.③ Electronic data entry: We complete the pre-entry of customs declarations through the Single Window system,ensuring consistency between paper and electronic documents.In 2022,we assisted a client in correcting an error in the "Transport Route" field of the Certificate of Origin,preventing the cancellation of tariff preferences due to non-compliance with the "Direct Transport Rule" (involving a cargo value of approximately 1.2 million yuan).

Logistics service system: Seamless connection from South Korea to China

Logistics is the "nerve center" of import agents,requiring a balance between cost,efficiency,and cargo safety.The mainstream transportation methods for Korean cookie imports are maritime transport (accounting for about 70%) and air transport (for urgent orders or small batches):

• Oceanshippingsolution:ThemainportsareBusanPort→Qingdao/Shanghai/TianjinPort,withavoyagedurationofapproximately3-5days.Agentscanchoosefullcontainer(FCL)orconsolidatedcontainer(LCL)basedonthecargovolume:fullcontainersaresuitablefor20-foot/40-footcontainers(a20-footcontainercanholdapproximately18-20tons),whileconsolidatedcontainersrequireattentiontotheapportionmentoforiginandhandlingcharges(ORC,THC)attheportofdeparture.
• AirFreightSolution:IncheonAirport→Beijing/Shanghai/GuangzhouAirports,withatransittimeofapproximately1-2days,suitablefororderswithshortshelflives(suchasfreshlybakedcookies)orurgentreplenishmentorders.Specialattentionshouldbepaidtothe"temperaturecontrolrequirements"intheairwaybill(AWB)(somecookiesneedtobetransportedatatemperaturebelow25°C);
• Value-addedServices:①Portofdestinationdocumentexchange:Establishlong-termcooperationwithshippingcompanies/airlinestoquicklyobtainthedeliveryorder(D/O);②Customsclearancecoordination:Collaboratewithcustomsbrokerstohandleinspections(e.g.the"microbiologicalindicators"inspectionofabatchofcookiesatQingdaoPortin2023.Theagentcoordinatedwiththelaboratorytoconducturgenttestingandcompletedthereleasewithin48hours);③Bondedwarehousestorage:Ifclientsneedtosellgoodsinbatches,wecanarrangeforstorageinabondedzone(withdeferredtariffpayment)andprovidedistributionservices(withsupportforanationwidelogisticsnetwork).

Trade Compliance and Certification Tips: Key Steps That Customers Need to Know

It should be noted that Zhong Shen does not directly provide product certification services,but will clearly inform clients of the certifications they need to complete on their own and the assistance that the agency can provide.

• RegistrationofoverseasproductionenterprisesAccordingtoDecreeNo.248oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms,Koreanbiscuitmanufacturersarerequiredtocompletetheregistrationthroughthe"RegistrationManagementSystemforOverseasFoodManufacturers"(theregistrationnumberformatis"KR+14-digitnumber"),andagentscanassistinverifyingthevalidityoftheregistrationcertificate;
• DomesticlabelregistrationImportedbiscuitsmustbelabeledinChinese(includingtheingredientlist,productiondate,shelflife,andinformationaboutthedomesticagent),andmustcomplywithGB7718-2011"GeneralPrinciplesofLabelingforPrepackagedFoods".Theagentcanprovideatemplateforlabelreview.
• Importingcompaniesmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:1.Haveavalidbusinesslicenseissuedbythelocalgovernment.2.Haveavalidtaxregistrationcertificate.3.Haveavalidforeignexchangeregistrationcertificate.4.Haveavalidcustomsregistrationcertificate.5.Haveavalidqualityinspectioncertificate.6.Haveavalidproductionlicensefortheproductsbeingimported.7.Haveavalidbusinessscopestatement.8.Haveavalidcreditratingcertificate.9.Haveavalidinsurancepolicyfortheproductsbeingimported.10.Haveavalidlaborcontractfortheemployeesinvolvedintheimportprocess.11.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseassupplieroftheproductsbeingimported.12.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasmanufactureroftheproductsbeingimported.13.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseastransporteroftheproductsbeingimported.14.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstoragefacilityoftheproductsbeingimported.15.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasinspectionagencyoftheproductsbeingimported.16.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasinsurancecompanyoftheproductsbeingimported.17.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseascustomsbrokeroftheproductsbeingimported.18.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasshippingcompanyoftheproductsbeingimported.19.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasportauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.20.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasquarantineauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.21.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasphytosanitaryauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.22.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasveterinaryauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.23.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasenvironmentalprotectionauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.24.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseashealthauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.25.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.26.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseascertificationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.27.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.28.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.29.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.30.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.31.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.32.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.33.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.34.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.35.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.36.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.37.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.38.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.39.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.40.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.41.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.42.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.43.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.44.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.45.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.46.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.47.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.48.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.49.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.50.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.51.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.52.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.53.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.54.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.55.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.56.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.57.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.58.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.59.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.60.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.61.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.62.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasstandardizationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.63.Haveavalidcontractwiththeoverseasaccreditationauthorityoftheproductsbeingimported.64.Haveav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• SinceJanuary2025,RussiahasmadeitmandatorytoregisterforEPR(ExtendedProducerResponsibility)In2023,theGeneralAdministrationofCustomsissuedawarningaboutthe"excessiveperoxidevalue"ofacertainbrandofKoreanbiscuits.TheagentwillmonitorrisksinadvancethroughplatformssuchasRASFF(EURapidAlertSystemforFoodandFeed)toalertclientstoavoiddealingwithproblematiccompanies.

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBAdvantages assist in diversified settlement

For clients who have the need for transit or settlement with Russia,Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its cooperation with Russian partners to provide comprehensive services,including market research,product promotion,and logistics solutions.Through long-term cooperation with the bank (VTB),we offer convenient foreign exchange settlement services:

• SettlementefficiencyAsasystemicallyimportantbankinRussia,VTBhasestablisheddirectSWIFTconnectionswithmajordomesticbanks(suchasBankofChinaandICBC),significantlyreducingthetimerequiredforcross-borderwiretransfers(T/T)tojust1-2workingdays(comparedtotheusual3-5daysrequiredbyregularbanks).
• ExchangeRateLock-inItispossibletolockintheruble/RMBexchangeratethroughVTB’s"forwardforeignexchangesettlement"product,therebyavoidingtheriskofexchangeratefluctuations(forexample,in2023,thefluctuationrangeoftherubleagainsttheRMBexceeded15%,andlockingintheexchangeratecouldsaveabout5%ofthecost).
• ComplianceAssuranceVTBstrictlyadherestotheregulationsontradesettlementbetweenChinaandRussia,andcanassistinhandling"dualcurrencysettlements"(forexample,payingpartofthegoodswithRMBandpartwithrubles),therebyreducingtheriskofsinglecurrencysettlements.

Practical Guide to the Entire Process of Import Agency: A Closed-Loop Service from Consultation to Feedback

Based on our 10 years of agency experience,the import of Korean cookies can be summarized as a "9-step closed-loop process":

• CustomerInquiryDeterminetheproductingredients(whethertheycontaindairyproducts/nuts),HScode(forexample,cookiescontainingcocoaareclassifiedunder8533.3100witha15%tariff;ordinarycookiesareclassifiedunder8474.2000witha10%tariff),andtheimportdestinationport(whichaffectslogisticscosts).
• NegotiationandContractSigningReviewthetradetermsinthecontract(itisrecommendedtouseCIF,withthesellerresponsiblefortransportinsurance)andthepaymentmethod(forsmallorders,a30%prepaymentplus70%uponreceiptofthebillofladingissuggested;forlargeorders,anL/Ccanbeopened).
• Orders&PaymentHelpclientsopenaccountsatVTB(forbusinesswithRussia)ordomesticbanks.(LetterofCredit),monitortheprogressofprepaymentpayments;
• ProductionSupervisionIfrequestedbytheclient,wecanentrustthird-partyinspectionagenciessuchasSGStoconductinspections(e.g.checkingtheintegrityofpackagingandreviewingtheinitiallabeldesigns).
• LogisticsManagementBookingashippingslot(coordinatingwiththeshippingcompanytoreserveaslot),trackingthecargo(checkingthearrivaltimeinreal-timethroughthemaritimeEIRsystem),andpurchasingmarineall-risksinsurance(coveringdamageduringtransportation);
• CustomsCompliancePre-categorization(toensuretheaccuracyoftheHScode),calculationofthecomprehensivetaxrate(tariff+13%value-addedtax,someinvolvingconsumptiontax),andsubmissionofthecustomsdeclarationform(theaccompanyingdocumentsmustbestampedwiththeofficialseal);
• DeliveryandDistributionAftercustomsclearance,wewillarrangedomesticlogistics(withourpartnerfleetsupportingnationwidedelivery)andprovideadeliverynote(forcustomerstoconfirmreceiptofthegoods).
• QualityAssuranceHelpclientssendsamplesforinspection(suchassendingthemtothelocalcustomstechnicalcenterfortesting)andhandlequalityissues(e.g.ifareturnshipmentisnecessary,theagentcanassistinprocessingthe"ReturnedGoodsDeclarationForm").
• SummaryandFeedbackProvidethe"ImportExecutionReport"(includinglogisticsefficiency,customsclearancecosts,andasummaryofdocumentissues),settlethefinalpayment,andarchivethedocuments(retainthemforatleastthreeyearstomeetcustomsinspectionrequirements).

Conclusion: The import of Korean cookies requires taking into account the trade situation,document compliance,and logistics efficiency.Choosing a professional agent can significantly reduce customs clearance risks and shorten delivery times.Zhong Shen International Trade has been engaged in import agency services for 20 years,adhering to the service principle of "zero errors in documents and zero delays in logistics",helping clients seize the business opportunities of Korean cookie imports.