I.Swiss Biscuit Import Trade Situation and Core Challenges

In recent years,the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (effective since 2014) has continued to release policy dividends.In 2023,bilateral trade between China and Switzerland increased by 12.3% year-on-year,with the proportion of food imports rising to 28%.Swiss biscuits,known for their excellent craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients,have become a popular category in the domestic high-end food market.However,the regulation of imported food is becoming stricter.In 2023,the General Administration of Customs issued the "Administrative Provisions on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food," requiring all food manufacturers exporting to China to complete their registration in China.At the same time,cost fluctuations (e.g.the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) saw a quarterly increase of 15% in 2023) and more detailed requirements for document compliance (e.g.health certificates must specify additive ingredients) have placed higher demands on the professional operational capabilities of importing enterprises.

II.Core Services: Professional Control of Documentation and Logistics

(I) Document Handling: The "Passport" for Full-Chain Compliance

Output:

Importing Swiss biscuits requires a complete set of 8 core documents,none of which can be missing:

• CommercialInvoice(CI):Muststatethetruetransactionpriceofthegoods(FOB/CIFterms)andHScode(itisrecommendedtoconfirmthisinadvancethroughthecustomspre-classificationservice;forexample,theHScodeforbiscuitsistypically1905.3100);
• PackingList(PL):Mustlistthenet/grossweightandspecificationsofeachcarton(e.g.125g/box×24boxes/carton),andmustbestrictlyconsistentwiththebillofladinginformation;
• (FormCH):IssuedbySwisscustomsoranauthorizedbodyundertheChina-SwitzerlandFTA,mustcheckthe"whollyobtainedorproduced"clausetoapplyforzerotariff(theagreementrateis0%,whiletheMFNrateis15%);
• HealthCertificate:IssuedbytheSwissFederalOfficeofPublicHealth(FOPH),muststate"complieswithChina’snationalfoodsafetystandards(GB7100-2015)";
• acomponentanalysisreport:Additives(e.g.leaveningagentE450)mustcorrespondtoChina’sGB2760-2014standard;
• BillofLading(B/L):ChooseCleanDoneLoadingB/L,requiresanAirWaybill(AWB),andthe"notifyparty"shouldbetheimporteroragent;
• Chineselabelsample:Pre-auditcontentincludesproductname,ingredients,shelflife(mustbeconsistentwiththehealthcertificate),andtheimporter’snameandaddress;
• Foreignexchangereceiptvouchers::Theoriginaldocumentwiththeenterprise’sofficialsealisrequiredforagencycustomsdeclaration.

Our company uses a "three-review system" to ensure document compliance: initial review (business personnel check for information completeness) → secondary review (document supervisor checks for logical consistency) → final review (customs pre-entry system verification).Our average document rejection rate is below 0.8%,far lower than the industry average of 3%.

(II) Logistics Management: The Optimal Balance Between Timeliness and Cost

Output:

Transporting Swiss biscuits requires a comprehensive consideration of cargo volume,timeliness,and cost:

• Smallbatches(≤2000kg):Airfreightisrecommended(Zurich→ShanghaiPudong),withatransittimeof5-7days,toavoidtheriskofcrispybiscuitsbreakingduringlongseatransport;
• Largebatches(≥5000kg):ChooseFullContainerLoad(FCL)seafreight,withpreferredroutesfromRotterdam/Hamburg→ShanghaiYangshanPort(voyageofabout35days).ForLessthanContainerLoad(LCL),payattentiontotheallocationofdestinationportcharges(e.g.THC,documentationfees);
• Specialneeds(e.g.softbiscuitswithcream):A40-footrefrigeratedcontainer(RF)isrequired,withthetemperaturesetat2-8℃.TemperatureandhumidityaremonitoredviaGPSduringtransporttoensurequalityuponarrival.

In the logistics process,our company manages the entire chain through "booking - supervised loading - tracking": we lock in space with shipping lines 15 days in advance,arrange for third-party inspection (e.g.SGS) to check packaging reinforcement during loading,provide real-time updates on vessel/flight status through our logistics system during transport,and complete the pre-declaration for customs 3 days before arrival,reducing clearance time to 24 hours (general cargo typically takes 48-72 hours).

III.Business Expansion into Russia: VTBProfessional Advantages

Some enterprises import Swiss biscuits through Russia or in cooperation with Russian businesses,which involves cross-border settlement in Rubles/Euros.VTB Bank (Russia’sForeign Trade Bank),as one of Russia’s largest state-owned commercial banks,offers three major advantages in settlement services:

• Multi-currencysupport:Itcandirectlyhandletwo-wayexchangeforEuro-RMBandRuble-RMB,avoidingsecondaryexchangelosses;
• ExchangeRateLock-in:Itoffersforwardcontracts(e.g.30/60-daycurrencyhedging)tohedgeagainstexchangeratefluctuationrisks(in2023,thefluctuationrangeoftheEuroagainsttheRMBwasupto8%);
• Paymentvalidityperiod:ThroughadirectconnectionviatheSWIFTsystem,cross-borderremittancearrivaltimeisshortenedto1-2workingdays(ordinarybanksrequire3-5days).

Our company has a long-term partnership with VTB and can assist clients in: ① Reviewing settlement documents (e.g.ensuring consistency of contract,invoice,and bill of lading); ② Foreign exchange declaration (through the State Administration of Foreign Exchange’s digital platform); ③ Compliance filing (submitting the "Tax Filing Form for Outward Payments for Trade in Services and Other Items"),to ensure the settlement process is legal and compliant.

IV.Full-Process Operational Guide: From Consultation to Feedback

(I) Client Consultation Stage: Precise Needs Positioning

Output:

It is necessary to clarify the client’s core needs: product ingredients (whether they contain dairy/nuts),packaging specifications (whether a Chinese label needs to be attached),annual import volume (under 50 tons/year is small batch,50-200 tons is medium batch),and target port (Shanghai/Ningbo/Guangzhou).At the same time,we remind clients to confirm whether the Swiss supplier has completed the registration of overseas manufacturers of imported food with the General Administration of Customs (can be checked through the "Imported FoodImporter Filing System").

(II) Negotiation and Contract Signing Stage: Controlling Risk Clauses

Output:

Key points for contract review include:

• QualityTerms:Clearlystatethat"theinspectionresultsattheportofarrivalshallprevail,"andspecifytheresponsibilityforreturning/replacingnon-conformingproducts;
• Paymentmethod:Forsmallbatches,recommendT/T(30%advance+70%uponarrival).Forlargebatches,recommend(L/C),specifying"paymentuponconformingdocuments";
• DisputeResolution:ChoosetheChinaInternationalEconomicandTradeArbitrationCommission(CIETAC)asthearbitrationinstitutiontoavoidtherisksofoverseaslitigation.

(III) Order and Payment Stage: Ensuring Financial Security

Output:

When opening an L/C,it should be specified as an "irrevocable sight letter of credit," and the document requirements should be consistent with our company’s document checklist (e.g."submit the original official Swiss health certificate").For T/T payments,it is recommended to use our partner cross-border payment platform (e.g.PayPal Business account) to reduce the risk of personal accountsbeing frozen.

(IV) Production Supervision and Logistics Management: Dual Control of Quality and Timeliness

Output:

During the production stage,SGS can be commissioned for a _factory inspection_,focusing on verifying the source of raw materials (e.g.whether the wheat is non-GMO) and the production environment (GMP certification status).In the logistics stage,the supplier is required to provide a "pre-shipment inspection certificate (PSI)" before loading to avoid shortages/mixed shipments.

(V) Customs Compliance and Delivery Distribution: Linking Clearance and Distribution

Output:

When declaring to customs,it is necessary to submit the "Filing Certificate for Consignee of Imported Food" (the enterprise needs to complete the filing in the Single Window in advance).The duty is calculated as "CIF price × agreement rate (0%)," and the VAT = (CIF price + customs duty) × 13%.After clearance,domestic distribution is arranged according to the client’s needs: for first-tier cities (e.g.Beijing/Shenzhen),choose next-day delivery cold chain logistics; for second and third-tier cities,use a "trunk line transport + last-mile delivery" model to reduce distribution costs by about 15%.

(VI) Quality Assurance and Summary Feedback: Closed-Loop Service Optimization

Output:

After arrival at the port,customs will draw samples for inspection (testing items: microorganisms,additives,heavy metals).Our company assists clients in following up on the inspection progress (reports are usually issued in 5-7 working days).If non-compliance is found,we can assist in handling return shipment (must be completed within 30 days) or destruction (apply for a tax refund with the customs destruction certificate).After the service is completed,we provide an "Import Cost Analysis Report" (including the proportion of sea freight/customs duties/clearance fees) and "Operational Optimization Suggestions" (e.g.adjusting the mode of transport,changing suppliers) to help clients continuously reduce costs and increase efficiency.

V.Certification Advisory: Compliance Preparations for Clients to Complete Themselves

It should be specially noted: Our company focuses on importservices and does not directly provide product certification services,but we can offer the following certification guidance:

• Registrationofoverseasproductionenterprises:
• Entry-ExitInspectionandQuarantineApprovalforAnimalandPlantProducts:Ifthebiscuitscontainsensitiveingredientslikemilkpowder(HScode0402)ornuts(HScode0802),itisnecessarytoapplyfora"People’sRepublicofChinaEntryAnimalandPlantQuarantinePermit"fromcustomsinadvance(theprocessingperiodisabout20workingdays);
• Chineselabelfiling:ThelabelmustcomplywithGB7718-2011"GeneralStandardfortheLabelingofPrepackagedFoods."Itisrecommendedtosubmitasamplelabelforpre-reviewthroughthe"ImportedFoodandCosmeticsLabelFilingSystem"beforeshipmenttoavoiddemurragefees(averageofabout500RMB/containerperday)causedbyon-siterectificationafterarrival.

In summary,Swiss biscuit import agency requires a balance of document compliance,logistics efficiency,and adaptation to changing trade situations.Choosing a professional agency can help enterprises mitigate over 80% of operational risks and shorten the import cycle from 2-3 months to 30-45 days,effectively enhancing market competitiveness.