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How to become an import Chinese medicine agent?
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TRACKING NO. 20260303 / GLOBAL Zhongshen Trade · 23+ Years of Expert Trade Agency
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No import/export license, customs delays,
or complex compliance issues.
or complex compliance issues.
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I want to start an import business for traditional Chinese medicine. What should I pay attention to in terms of compliance, logistics, and business cooperation?
Cindy ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Key Account ManagerStart a Chat
To engage in the import of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an agent，you must first confirm your qualifications: You need to obtain a Pharmaceutical Business License (including the scope of business for TCM herbs and slices) and handle the Import Drug Material Approval Document (required for first-time imports). The HS code classification must be accurate，as different TCM categories (such as slices and extracts) correspond to different codes. Incorrect classification may lead to customs inspections or penalties. During the commodity inspection process，you must provide drug inspection reports，certificates of origin，and phytosanitary certificates (if applicable). Additionally，the TCM ingredients must comply with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards，and the labels must include compliant content such as Chinese name，ingredients，specifications，origin，and importer information. Compliance risks include: ingredients containing endangered species (requiring endangered species certificates)，excessive pesticide residues，and non-compliant labels. It is recommended to conduct pre-audits of ingredients and register labels in advance.
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
When importing drugs, it is necessary to balance timeliness and cost. For small quantities with urgent needs, choose air freight (customs clearance time of 3-5 days at ports such as Beijing and Shanghai); for large quantities with non-urgent requirements, opt for sea freight (customs clearance time of 20-30 days at ports such as Guangzhou and Qingdao). Incoterms recommend using DAP (Delivered at Destination) or DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), as you will be responsible for customs clearance, ensuring greater control. To optimize logistics costs: negotiate with freight forwarders to reduce sea freight costs by consolidating shipments, and choose direct flights for air freight to minimize transfers. For customs clearance, prepare the following documents in advance: import drug approval documents, drug inspection reports, certificates of origin, packing lists, invoices, and contracts. Additionally, samples must be tested by the port drug inspection office (for certain product categories). Note: Traditional Chinese medicines are prone to moisture damage, so choose temperature-controlled containers for transportation and purchase cargo insurance to mitigate the risk of product damage.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
In business cooperation, communication strategies should highlight professional advantages: emphasize your compliance qualifications and customs clearance capabilities to suppliers, such as "We possess complete pharmaceutical business qualifications, ensuring zero delay in customs clearance"; highlight logistics efficiency and quality assurance to clients, such as "We have long-term cooperation with the Drug Inspection Bureau of XX Port, with inspection efficiency improved by 30%". Payment methods recommendation: Use letters of credit (LC) for initial cooperation to reduce risks for both parties, and after stabilization, negotiate T/T + final payment upon presentation of bill of lading copies. Contract terms must be clear: quality standards (e.g., compliance with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), delivery deadlines (including customs clearance time), and quality dispute resolution (e.g., refund responsibilities for inspection failures). To build trust, regularly provide clients with customs clearance progress updates and inspection reports, and offer small gifts (such as domestic traditional Chinese medicine tea) during festivals to strengthen relationships.