I.Market Background and Trade Situation Analysis of Korean Biscuit Imports

In recent years,Sino-Korean trade has continued to deepen under the RCEP framework.In 2023,the bilateral trade volume exceeded 300 billion U.S.dollars,with particularly significant growth in food imports.Korean biscuits account for more than 15% of the Chinese imported snack food market,thanks to their unique flavors and exquisite packaging.However,the international trade environment is complex and volatile.On the one hand,RCEP tariff concessions (reducing tariffs on some biscuits under HS code 1905.31 from 8% to 0%) have lowered import costs.On the other hand,technical trade barriers (TBT) are becoming stricter,such as China’s customs strengthening inspections on imported food additives and microbiological indicators,and South Korea’s MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) raising traceability requirements for exported food.In addition,global supply chain fluctuations (such as fluctuating shipping prices and port congestion) pose greater challenges to logistics efficiency,requiring professional solutions to ensure supply chain stability and product quality.The value of agents is becoming increasingly evident.

II.Korean biscuitsAnalysis of the Core Steps of the Entire Process

(I) Pre-consultation and Contract Review: The First Step in Risk Control

Output:

During the client consultation phase,the agent needs to comprehensively understand the requirements,including cookie categories (filling/waffle/biscuits,etc.),specifications (packaging weight,whether containing dairy products),annual import volume,and target customs clearance ports (such as Shanghai Outer Port and Qingdao Qianwan).Based on this,clarify the scope of services (whether including foreign exchange settlement and whether involving warehousing and distribution).When negotiating and signing the contract,focus on reviewing trade terms (recommended using CIF or CFR to avoid unclear seller responsibilities under EXW),payment methods (T/T 30% prepayment + 70% upon receipt of documents,or L/C at sight),and quality clauses (agreeing that "the results of China Customs inspection shall prevail").There have been cases where the contract failed to specify "trans fatty acid content ≤ 0.3g/100g",resulting in the goods being returned due to exceeding the standard upon arrival.Through early clause review,the agent can effectively avoid such risks.

(II) Document Processing: The "Passport" for Customs Compliance

Output:

Documents areThe core basis of this is that the agent needs to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all documents throughout the entire process.

• BasicCommercialDocuments:Businessinvoice(whichmustreflectthetransactionmethodandthecommissionsituation),packinglist(indicatinggross/netweight,numberofpieces,andpackagingmaterial),billoflading(itisrecommendedtochoosetheshippingcompany’sbillofladingMBLtoavoiddelaysinexchangingbillscausedbythefreightforwarder’sbillofladingHBL);
• OfficialComplianceDocuments:①1.UndertheRCEP,aFORMEmustbeprocessedtoenjoytariffpreferences.Itisimportanttonotethedeterminationof"fullyobtained"or"regionalvaluecontent≥40%".2.ASouthKoreanofficialhealthcertificate(issuedbytheMinistryofFoodandDrugSafety,MFDS)mustbeprovided,whichmuststatethatit"meetsthefoodhygienerequirementsforexporttoChina".3.Aningredientanalysisreport(listingthetypesandcontentsofadditives,correspondingtotheChineseGB2760standard)isrequired.4.AChineselabelsample(forpre-audittoavoidincurringdemurragefeesduetolabelchangesafterarrivalattheport)mustbeprovided.

There was once a client who failed to review the Chinese labels in advance,resulting in 1,000 boxes of cookies needing to be unpacked and relabeled after arriving at the port.This caused an additional 50,000 yuan in storage fees and relabeling costs.By conducting a pre-review,agents can proactively avoid such issues.

(III) Logistics Management: The Art of Balancing Timeliness and Cost

Output:

The logistics process requires selecting a transportation method based on the volume of goods and the urgency of delivery requirements:

• FullContainerLoad(FCL):Suitableforlargecargovolumeswithasingleorderof≥15tons.Theadvantageislowcost(currentshippingfeesfromShanghaitoIncheonareaboutUSD500/20GP),butattentionshouldbepaidtothedeadlineforplacingorders(usually3daysbeforetheship’sdeparture)toavoidlateordersresultingincontainerrejection.
• Less-than-ContainerLoad(LCL):Suitableforsmall-scaleimports(suchas2-10tons),itisnecessarytopayattentiontothequalificationsoftheLCLconsolidationcompaniesattheportofdeparture(toavoidtheriskofreleasinggoodswithoutabilloflading),andtoconfirmthefeeschargedattheportofdestinationinadvance(suchasunpackingfeesandstoragefees);
• :Suitableforurgentorders(suchasnewproductlaunches),withadeliverytimeof3-5days,butthecostisrelativelyhigh(currentairfreightchargesareabout8-12yuanperkilogram).

The agent needs to monitor the logistics nodes throughout the entire process: obtain the EBS/CAF surcharge notice after the goods are loaded at the port of departure,track the temperature and humidity during transit through the shipping company’s system (such as Maersk’s remote container management),ensure that the humidity of the cookies is controlled within 40%-60%,complete the document exchange three days before arrival (exchange the bill of lading for the D/O document with the telegraphic release guarantee or the original bill of lading),and guarantee the timeliness of customs clearance.

(IV) Customs Compliance: HS Code Classification and Inspection Response

Output:

During the customs declaration process,agents need to accurately classify HS codes (e.g.sandwich cookies under 1905.31,waffle cookies under 1905.32) to avoid additional taxes due to incorrect classification (e.g.misclassifying 1905.31 (tariff rate 0%) as 1905.90 (tariff rate 15%) and paying an extra 15% tariff).When declaring,the "Importer of Food Commodities Registration Number" (which companies must register in advance on the General Administration of Customs platform) must be submitted,and the transaction price must be accurately declared (to avoid being questioned by customs due to under-reporting and triggering a price consultation procedure).

During the inspection process,the agent needs to cooperate with the customs in opening the box (with a focus on checking the compliance of labels and sensory characteristics).If laboratory testing (such as microorganisms and heavy metals) is involved,it is necessary to prepare backup samples in advance (to avoid the loss of samples during testing affecting sales).In 2023,a client’s imported Korean matcha cookies were inspected due to exceeding the standard for mold.The agent assisted in providing production records and proof of storage conditions,and the goods were eventually released after rectification,without affecting subsequent import qualifications.

III.Extended services: VTB’s business with RussiaAdvantages and Certification Tips

(I) Settlement Convenience for Russia Re-export Business

Output:

Some enterprises sell Korean cookies to Russia through re-export (e.g.meeting the growing consumption demand in the Far East region).Agents can leverage the cooperation advantages of VTB Bank (Sberbank of Russia) to provide efficient foreign exchange settlement services: ① Support direct RUB-CNY settlements,avoiding the risk of USD exchange rate fluctuations; ② Simplify document review (only requiring contracts,bills of lading,and invoices),with settlement funds arriving 2-3 working days faster than through regular banks; ③ Large-scale settlements can apply for preferential exchange rates (e.g.a single transaction of ≥$500,000 with a 0.0005% lower spread).

(II) Certification Tips: Compliance Requirements Enterprises Need to Handle Themselves

Output:

Please note: The agent does not provide product certification services,but it is necessary to inform clients in advance about the following mandatory certifications:

• ChinaCustomsRegistrationforOverseasFoodManufacturingEnterprisesImportingFoodProducts(AccordingtoDecreeNo.248oftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms):Koreanbiscuitproducersarerequiredtocompletetheregistrationinthe"RegistrationandManagementSystemforOverseasFoodProducers"andobtaina14-digitregistrationnumber(format:KR+12-digitnumber);
• MFDSExportRegistration:Koreanexportersneedtocompletethe"FoodExportNotification"ontheMFDSandobtainanelectronicfilingnumber.
• OtherSpecialCertifications:Ifthebiscuitscontaindairyproducts(suchascreamfillings),anadditional"HealthCertificateforDairyProductsExportedtoChina"isrequired.Forthosecontainingnuts,labelsindicatingpotentialallergenssuchas"maycontainpeanut/almond"mustbeprovided.

IV.Conclusion: The value of professional agency – reducing costs,improving efficiency,and controlling risks

The customs clearance of Korean cookie imports is by no means a simple "errand",but a systematic project involving document review,logistics planning,and customs compliance.Professional agents achieve this through the following measures: ① Pre-audit of documents to reduce revisions (targeting a revision rate of ≤3%); ② Optimized logistics solutions to shorten customs clearance times (3-5 days for regular ports,and up to 2 days in special supervision zones); ③ Compliance risk warnings to avoid return shipments/fines (helped clients avoid over 1 million yuan in additional costs in 2023),truly realizing "Simplifying Import Processes".When selecting an agent,enterprises should prioritize evaluating their document processing experience (e.g.annual processing volume of food-related documents),logistics resources (tier of cooperation with shipping/airline companies),and customs coordination capabilities (whether they hold AEO certification),to ensure full control over the entire process.