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How does the process of exporting liquid ghee work through an export agent?
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TRACKING NO. 20260315 / GLOBAL Zhongshen Trade · 23+ Years of Expert Trade Agency
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Our company just received an order for liquid gheeOrder: The client is in the Middle East, and the total value of the goods is approximately 500,000 RMB. I've never done food exports before and have no idea where to start. Could you please explain how to handle the entire agency process? What qualifications and documents do I need to prepare? Are there any particular pitfalls I should be aware of?
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
For the export of liquid ghee，the first step is to determine the HS code，which is typically classified under heading 1517.90，with the specific classification depending on the fatty acid content and processing methods. Regulatory requirements include registration of export food production enterprises and export inspection and quarantine. You must confirm that the manufacturer has obtained the "Registration Certificate for Export Food Production Enterprises". Key points: First，verify whether the product complies with GB 2716 "National Food Safety Standard for Vegetable Oil" and the standards of the destination country. The Middle Eastern market generally requires HALAL certification. Second，during the inspection process，you need to provide factory inspection reports and nutritional ingredient testing reports，and the label must comply with the Chinese-English bilingual requirements stipulated in GB 7718. Third，note that the validity period of the inspection certificate is typically 60 days. The greatest risks lie in exceeding additive limits and labeling inconsistencies. It is recommended to entrust a third-party testing agency to conduct comprehensive testing before shipment to avoid customs clearance delays.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
The preferred mode of transportation for liquid ghee is by sea in 20GP containers, with each container capable of holding 80-90 barrels (180kg/barrel). The packaging must use food-grade iron barrels or IBC tonne barrels, with sealing that can withstand stacking and maritime turbulence. The operational process includes: booking a shipping slot → loading at the factory → land transportation to the port → export customs declaration → maritime transportation → customs clearance at the destination port. In terms of documentation, in addition to invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading, it is necessary to prepare health certificates, sanitary certificates, and for Middle Eastern countries, certificates of origin and ingredient declarations. It is recommended to adopt CIF terms, allowing you to control the freight forwarder and insurance to avoid potential risks caused by clients designating their own freight forwarders. Regarding transit times, the shipping route to Middle Eastern ports takes approximately 15-20 days, with special attention required to avoid peak customs clearance periods such as Ramadan. In terms of costs, in addition to shipping fees, budget for port surcharges, customs declaration fees, and commodity inspection fees, which collectively account for approximately 3-5% of the total value of the goods.
Victor SunYears of service：5Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Risk Control ManagerStart a Chat
The core of export agency services is to clearly define the rights, responsibilities, and benefits in a written contract. It is recommended to sign an "Export Agency Agreement" with clients, clarifying that you, as the agent, will charge commissions or service fees but will not bear legal responsibility for product quality itself. When negotiating payment terms, strive to secure a 30% prepayment plus 70% payment upon receipt of the bill of lading copy, to minimize the risk of advance financing. During negotiations, you can proactively say: "To ensure smooth customs clearance, we need you to provide the latest import food regulations of the destination country, and we will prepare a full set of compliance documents for your advance confirmation." This not only demonstrates professionalism but also shifts some compliance responsibilities to clients. Additionally, it is recommended to bundle logistics, customs clearance, and document services into a one-stop solution to increase service value-added, but all fees should be itemized in the contract to avoid future disputes.