1.Analysis of the current situation and trends of cookie imports in New Zealand

Due to the growing demand for high-quality baked goods among Chinese consumers and the deepening impact of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA),New Zealand’s biscuit imports have seen an average annual growth rate of 18% over the past three years.Currently,New Zealand biscuits,with their natural ingredients (such as grass-fed butter and Manuka honey) and strict quality control (meeting the certification standards of New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries,MPI),hold a 35% market share in China’s high-end snack market.It’s worth noting that in 2023,the General Administration of Customs updated the "Regulations on the Registration and Management of Overseas Food Manufacturers for Imported Foods," requiring all food exporting enterprises to complete registration in China (with a CRN number required).Meanwhile,affected by fluctuations in global shipping prices and port efficiency issues,logistics timeliness and stability have become key challenges for imports.

II.Core competence: Professional barriers in document processing

Document compliance is the "lifeline" of New Zealand biscuit imports,directly affecting customs clearance efficiency and risk control.With 20 years of experience,we have established a document management system consisting of "three-level review and a dynamic database".

• BasicDocumentationGroup:Itincludesacommercialinvoice(whichmustspecifytheHScode9504.50.00,consistentwiththecontract),apackinglist(listingthegross/netweightandpackagingspecifications),andBillofLading(B/L,pleasechecktheinformationoftheshipper,consignee,andnotifyparty);
• SpecialDocumentGroup:ItisnecessarytoprovideahealthcertificateissuedbytheNewZealandMPI(whichmustindicatethat"theproductcomplieswithChina’snationalfoodsafetystandards")andaFORME.(Withthis,youcanenjoya0%agreementtaxrate.PleasenotethatthevisaissuingauthorityistheNewZealandMinistryofForeignAffairsandTrade.)
• AdditionofSingleDocumentsGroup:Ifitinvolvesbrandauthorization,atrademarkregistrationcertificateandanauthorizationletterarerequired;ifit’sprepackagedfood,aChineselabelsample(inaccordancewiththerequirementsofGB7718-2011)mustbepreparedinadvance.

It’s worth emphasizing that the documents must be consistent with the actual goods,for example,the production batch number in the health certificate must correspond to the container’s lead seal number.Otherwise,it may trigger customs inspections and prolong the customs clearance time by 3-7 days.

III.Full-chain logistics management: Seamless connection from Auckland to China

Logistics efficiency directly affects the freshness of goods and cost control.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.achieves optimal allocation through the "dual track logistics solution":

• SelectionofTransportationMode:Forordersover2000kg,werecommendfullcontainerload(FCL)shipping,withfixedweeklydeparturesfromAucklandPort(AKL)onWednesdays,andanarrivaltimeof18-21daystoShanghai/ShenzhenPort.Forsmall-quantityorders,youcanchooseless-than-containerload(LCL)shipping,butyouwillneedtobeartheunboxingfeesatthedestinationport(aboutUSD200/cubicmeter).
• Keynodecontrol:Afterloadingthegoods,synchronouslyapplyfor"ElectronicRelease"or"SEAWAYBILL"toshortenthetimefordocumentexchangeuponarrivalattheport;completethepre-declarationinthe"SingleWindow"system3daysbeforearrival,andthesystemwillautomaticallyapproveit,allowingpriorityinspectionarrangements;aftercustomsclearance,cooperatewithdomesticcoldchainlogisticscompanies(suchasSinotransColdChain)toensurethattemperature-sensitivebiscuits(suchasthosecontainingchocolate)aredeliveredinanenvironmentof2-8°C.
• CostTransparency:Inadditiontotheoceanfreight,clearlyindicateadditionalfeessuchasTHC(TerminalHandlingCharge,approximatelyUSD600/20GP),documentationfees(USD150),andinsurancefees(insuringallrisksat110%oftheCIFpricewithapremiumrateof0.15%)toavoidhiddenexpenses.

IV.Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBThe advantages and operational key points of n

In response to the demand of some clients to sell goods to Russia through transit or directly to Russia,Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its cooperation with Russian partners to provide one-stop services,including product procurement,logistics,customs clearance,and after-sales services.A long-term cooperation with the bank (VTB) to provide efficient foreign exchange settlement solutions:

• Convenienceofsettlingpaymentsinrubles:AsasystemicallyimportantbankinRussia,VTBsupportsdirectruble-renminbiexchange,withanexchangeratethatis0.3to0.5percentagepointsbetterthanthemarketmid-price.
• SWIFTAlternativeChannel:Throughthedual-chainlinkbetweenCIPS(theCross-BorderInterbankPaymentSystemofthePeople’sRepublicofChina)andSPFS(theRussianFinancialMessagingSystem),wecanavoidtheriskofinternationalsettlementbeingblocked;
• Riskcontrolguarantee:Offerrubleexchangeratelockingservices(suchas30-dayforwardexchangesettlement),helpingclientshedgeagainstexchangeratevolatilityrisks(in2023,thefluctuationrangeoftherubleagainsttheRMBreached±12%).

5.Customer Notice: Certification Requirements and Service Boundaries

It should be noted that Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.does not provide product certification services,but will clearly inform customers of the certification requirements they must fulfill.

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:AllbiscuitcompaniesexportingtoChinaarerequiredtocompleteregistrationontheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms’"RegistrationandManagementSystemforOverseasFoodManufacturers"(theCRNnumbercanbecheckedontheofficialwebsiteoftheGeneralAdministrationofCustoms);
• Chineselabelfiling:Pre-packagedbiscuitsmustsubmitlabelsamples(includingingredientlists,shelflife,storageconditions,etc.)tothelocalcustomsbeforeimportation.Onlyafterthelabelhasbeenapprovedforfilingcanitbeaffixedtotheproducts.
• Otherpossiblecertifications:Iftheproductcontainsdairyingredients,anadditionaldairyhygienecertificateissuedbytheNewZealandMinistryforPrimaryIndustries(MPI)isrequired.Iftheproductislabeledas"organic",anorganiccertificationfromBioGroNewZealand(oranequivalentChineseorganiccertification)mustbeprovided.Itisrecommendedthatclientsinitiatethecertificationprocessthreemonthsinadvanceandentrustprofessionalcertificationagencies(suchasSGSorBureauVeritas)tohandletheprocedures.

VI.Full-Process Agency Services: Closed-Loop Management from Consultation to Feedback

Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.breaks down its agency services into nine major stages to ensure that each node is traceable and controllable:

• CustomerInquiry:Throughthe"ImportDemandSurveyForm",clarifytheproducttype(crispy/chewybiscuits),specifications(100g/box),targetports(Shanghai/Guangzhou),etc.andevaluatewhetheritinvolvesspecialsupervision(suchasgeneticallymodifiedrawmaterials);
• NegotiationandContractSigning:Reviewthe"qualityclauses"inthecontract(suchasabiscuitbreakagerateof≤3%),the"paymentmethod"(recommendinga30%prepaymentplus70%uponreceiptofthebillofladingcopytoavoidtheriskoftheshipperabandoningthegoods),andthe"disputeresolution"(stipulatingtheChinaInternationalEconomicandTradeArbitrationCommission);
• Orders&Payment:AssistinopeningaWhenissuingaletterofcredit(L/C),itisnecessarytospecifythedocumentrequirements(suchas"submittingacleanon-boardbilloflading"),orwhenconductingatelegraphictransfer(T/T),itisessentialtomonitorthepaymentpath(toavoidgoingthroughbanksinhigh-riskcountries);
• ProductionSupervision:Coordinatewiththird-partyinspectionagencies(suchasSGS)toconductpre-deliveryinspections,withafocusonverifyingmicrobiologicalindicators(totalcolonycount≤10,000cfu/g)andadditiveusage(sorbicacid≤1.0g/kg);
• LogisticsManagement:Real-timesynchronizationofshippingschedules(viatheMaersk/MSCofficialwebsite)andcontainerlocation(queriedbyleadsealnumber),andsendingthe"CustomsClearancePreparationList"24hoursbeforearrivalattheport;
• CustomsCompliance:AccuratelyclassifytheHScode(9504.50.00correspondingto"Othergamesuppliesandtoys"?Correction:itshouldactuallybe1905.31.00"Biscuits,includingwafflesandcommunionwafers"),calculateimporttaxes(0%tariff,13%value-addedtax),andcooperatewithcustomsinspection(suchassendingsamplestothelaboratoryfortesting,withacycleof5-10workingdays);
• DeliveryandDistribution:Accordingtotheclient’sneeds,wecanarrange"door-to-door"delivery(providePODreceipt)ortemporarilystorethegoodsinthebondedwarehouse(whichrequiresadvanceapplication,andthestoragefeeisapproximately0.5yuanperdaypercubicmeter).
• QualityAssurance:Assistclientsincompletingthearrivalinspection(suchassensoryinspectionandweightverification).Ifanydamagetothegoodsisfound(e.g.damagedpackaging),initiateaninsuranceclaimwithin12hours(athird-partyinspectionreportisrequired).
• SummaryandFeedback:Providethe"ImportBusinessAnalysisReport"(includingtimelinessstatistics,costcomposition,andproblemreview),andarchivealldocumentsaftersettlingthefinalpayment(witharetentionperiodof5years,inaccordancewiththerequirementsofthe"CustomsInspectionRegulations").

Conclusion

The import of New Zealand biscuits is a double challenge requiring both professional expertise and meticulous attention to detail.Zhong Shen International Trade Co.Ltd.ensures a safe channel from New Zealand farms to Chinese dining tables by leveraging its precision in document processing,strong control over logistics management,and strict adherence to trade compliance regulations.Although the company does not directly provide certification services,it helps clients avoid risks,improve efficiency,and seize market opportunities in import trade through clear guidance and end-to-end support.