| ≥1 piece |
The basic process of food import customs clearance is firstly to confirm the product access. Importers need to understand in detail the target country or region's food access regulations, to confirm the proposed import of food varieties, manufacturers and so on whether the list of permitted imports, and to verify the corresponding food safety standards and quality requirements.
Next is the consignee-consignor record. Importers and overseas exporters need to register at the domestic customs, submit basic corporate information, business licence, foreign trade operators record registration form and other relevant information to ensure that the qualification of the main body of trade is legal and effective.
Before the goods arrive at the port, prepare all kinds of customs declaration documents, including commercial invoices, bills of lading, packing lists, certificates of origin, health certificates, nutrient content test reports, etc., to ensure that the documents are complete, accurate and consistent, and to avoid delays in customs clearance due to documentary problems.
After the goods arrive at the port, they will enter the formal declaration process. Customs will review the declared information, including the classification of goods, duty-paid price validation, etc., and may carry out inspection. The inspection mainly focuses on whether the packaging, labelling, quantity and quality of the goods are in line with the declaration, and whether they comply with food safety standards. If there is no abnormality in the inspection, the goods can be released by the customs after the enterprise pays the tariffs and VAT, etc., and the goods can be circulated and sold in the domestic market.
In order to optimise the process and procedures of food import customs clearance, enterprises can take the following measures:
1. Establish a professional customs clearance team or co-operate with experienced customs brokers, familiarise themselves with the dynamic changes in customs clearance policies and regulations, make preparations in advance, and improve the accuracy and efficiency of declaration.
2. Strengthen the communication and collaboration with suppliers to ensure that the exporting country can provide timely and accurate documents required for customs clearance and meet domestic requirements.
3. Use information technology to achieve digital management of import business processes, real-time tracking and monitoring of cargo transport, document preparation, customs clearance progress, etc., so as to facilitate timely detection and resolution of problems; and
4. Actively participate in the construction of the credit management system of the Customs and enhance the credit rating of the enterprise through good compliance records, and enjoy the facilitation measures provided by the Customs, such as priority inspection, fast release, etc., which can further shorten the customs clearance time, reduce the logistic cost, and enhance the competitiveness of the enterprise in the food import market.