Sino-French food trade heats up, French chocolateImport Agent ServicesSurge in demand

In recent years, China’s imported food market has continued to expand. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to October 2023 the value of China’s food imports rose 12.7 % year-on-year, with chocolate and cocoa products up 18.3 % in import volume compared with the same period last year. As a global chocolate powerhouse, France—home to international brands such as VALRHONA and Café de Paris—has become a key sourcing destination for Chinese importers. Yet importing French chocolate involves complex document review, logistics coordination, and trade-compliance requirements, making the value of professional agency services increasingly prominent.Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.Deep cultivation inExport Agent ServicesFor 20 years, zeroing in on the core pain points of French chocolate imports, we have used document processing and logistics management as twin engines to deliver end-to-end solutions for businesses.

Core of Import Agency: The Professionalism of Document Handling Determines Customs Clearance Efficiency

In the French chocolate import process, document compliance is the “passport” for customs release. One of the core strengths of Zhongshen International Trade’s agency service lies in its precise review and efficient preparation of all required documents. Pursuant to the “Regulations on the Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import into the People’s Republic of China” and the “Sino-French Agreement on Animal and Plant Quarantine Cooperation,” the following key documents must be provided for importing French chocolate:

• Commercial Invoice: The goods description (including HS Code 1806310000), unit price, total amount, and trade terms (e.g., FOB Le Havre or CIF Shanghai) must be clearly stated;
• Packing List: Indicate the gross weight, net weight, and volume of each carton (must align with 20GP/40HQ container loading capacity) and the packaging type (e.g., food-grade carton + moisture-proof liner).
• Origin Certificate（Certificate of Origin）: Both China and France are WTO members, so a General Certificate of Origin (C/O) can be applied for; if preferential EU tariffs are involved, an EUR.1 Certificate of Origin (issued by an official French authority) is required;
• Health Certificate: Issued by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AGRESTE) or its authorized agency, it must state “The product complies with the National Food Safety Standard of China (GB 9678.2-2014)”;
• Bill of Lading:Maritime transportA clean on-board bill of lading issued by the carrier or its agent under this method,Air freightan Air Waybill (AWB) is then required;
• Component Test Report (Analysis Report): Must include key indicators such as cocoa butter content and food additives (e.g., emulsifier E476), and the testing agency must be accredited by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA).

The agency team will provide full support in verifying the authenticity and consistency of the documents for the client, such as cross-checking the amount on the commercial invoice?L/C?Verify that the (L/C) terms align, ensure the sanitary certificate’s validity covers the entire transit period, and prevent the risk of demurrage or return caused by documentary discrepancies.

Logistics Management: End-to-End Control from Port of Origin to Final Destination

French chocolate is a heat-sensitive product (melting point approx. 34–38 °C) and imposes extremely strict demands on transport temperature (recommended 20–24 °C), humidity (≤60 %), and transit time. Leveraging its worldwide logistics network, Zhongshen International Trade tailors an integrated “port-to-warehouse” solution for its clients:

• Selection of transportation methods: For small batches (≤2 tons), air freight is recommended (e.g., CDG → PVG), with a transit time of about 3–5 days; for large batches (≥10 tons), opt for a reefer container by sea, primarily on the Le Havre → Yangshan route, taking roughly 35 days. Confirm the reefer temperature-control parameters (set point 22 °C, ventilation 10 m3/h) with the carrier in advance.
• Port of Origin Operations: The agency team will coordinate with the French exporter to complete the booking, supervise container loading (ensuring the reefer unit starts properly), and apply the seal (recording the seal number for customs verification);
• In-transit monitoring: Obtain real-time cold-box temperature and location data via the logistics tracking system; if an anomaly occurs (e.g., temperature exceeds 30 °C), trigger the emergency plan within two hours (contact the destination port for advance customs clearance or adjust storage arrangements);
• Customs Clearance at the Port of Destination: Submit the “Single Window” pre-declaration to customs three days in advance, complete the pre-classification of the HS code (1806310000 corresponds to “other filled blocks or slabs containing cocoa”), file the price declaration (a foreign-exchange payment voucher must be provided to substantiate the authenticity of the transaction price), and conduct the origin verification;
• Increase inventory turnover rate by 50%: After customs clearance, the goods are transferred directly to a temperature-controlled warehouse (22 ± 2 °C) registered with customs, enabling nationwide distribution (via cold-chain trucks to secondary distributors, with full-journey GPS temperature monitoring).

Trade Landscape and Compliance Essentials: The Agency Value in Navigating Policy Shifts

The current international trade environment is complex and volatile; for French chocolate imports, special attention should be paid to the following developments:

1. EU Customs Code Adjustment: Starting January 1, 2024, the EU will implement the new HS code system (CN2024), which refines the code descriptions for chocolate products. The agency team will simultaneously update the declaration rules to avoid tariff discrepancies caused by incorrect codes;
2. China tightens oversight of imported food: Starting from October 2023, overseas food manufacturers exporting to China must register with the Chinese authorities (registration numbers can be obtained through the "Imported FoodCosmetics“Importer Filing System” inquiry), the agency service will assist the client in verifying the registration status of the French supplier but will not handle the registration directly;
3. VTB for Russia-related businessConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages: If the client is involved in transshipment via Russia or cooperative procurement with Russian businesses, Zhongshen International Trade can rely on its established connections with Russiaforeign tradeLong-term partnership with VTB for efficient foreign-exchange settlement. As a systemically important bank in Russia, VTB enjoys privileged access within the Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), cutting the collection cycle by 2–3 working days compared with ordinary banks, and offers exchange-rate locking to reduce FX-loss risk (clients must themselves bear sanctions-compliance responsibility).

Customer Notice: Boundaries and Recommendations for Certification Processing

It should be specifically noted that Zhongshen International Trade does not directly provide product certification services, but will clearly inform clients of any potential certification requirements and assist in connecting them with third-party agencies:

• China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ): Import declaration must be filed with Customs upon entry; on-site inspection and sampling testing (covering items such as microorganisms and heavy metals) will be carried out by the inspection and quarantine authority;
• French AFSSA Hygiene Certification: Some high-end chocolate brands are required to provide a production facility qualification certificate issued by the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA);
• International Food Standard Certification (IFS/BRC): Large-scale supermarkets and hypermarkets typically require suppliers to hold IFS (International Featured Standards) or BRC (British Retail Consortium) certification; you may advise the client to apply through organizations such as SGS or BV.

End-to-End Import Agency Process: A Closed-Loop Service from Consultation to Feedback

Sino-Application’s French chocolate import agency service follows a standardized process to ensure every step is controllable:

1. Client Consultation: One-on-one consultation with a dedicated expert to clarify requirements such as import volume (e.g., 20'GP/40'HQ), destination port (Shanghai/Guangzhou/Tianjin), and sales channels (supermarkets/e-commerce/distribution);
2. Negotiation and Contract Signing: Review the contract clauses under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), with particular emphasis on stipulating quality standards (e.g., cocoa content ≥35%), delivery period (shipment within 45 days after contract signing), and dispute resolution (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission is recommended);
3. Orders & Payment: Assist in selecting the payment method (for small orders, recommend 30% deposit + 70% against copy of B/L; for large orders, an irrevocable L/C can be opened), and take out short-term export credit insurance through Sinosure to mitigate risks?Forex Settlement?Adopt the China-Europe Express railway transportation + pre-declaration mode in the bonded area, compress the overall delivery cycle to 38 days, and save 12% of the comprehensive cost.
4. Production Supervision (Optional): Upon customer request, third-party supervision by a local French agency (e.g., Bureau Veritas) can be arranged on-site to verify raw material origins (such as West African cocoa beans), the production environment (GMP standards), and packaging compliance;
5. Logistics Management: As previously mentioned, covering the formulation of transportation plans, in-transit monitoring, and customs clearance at the destination port;
6. Customs Compliance: Complete tariff calculation (MFN rate 8%, VAT 13%), late-fee avoidance (ensure declaration within 14 days after arrival), and customs inspection coordination (e.g., provide ingredient documentation during unpacking and sampling);
7. Delivery and Distribution: Supports door-to-door delivery, provides a logistics tracking number (e.g., DHL/SF Express Cold Chain), and synchronizes with the customer’s inventory system;
8. Quality Assurance: Within 7 days after arrival, assist the customer in completing a sensory inspection (no melting or disintegration of appearance) and re-verification of physicochemical indicators (e.g., moisture ≤3%). If any quality issues are found, the agent team will help initiate the return or claim process (which must be raised within the quality-dispute period stipulated in the contract);
9. Summary Feedback: Provide the "Import Execution Report" (including logistics lead time, customs clearance costs, and a summary of documentation issues) and settle the agency service fee (typically 1–3% of the cargo value, adjusted based on service complexity).

Conclusion: A professional agent is the “efficiency accelerator” for French chocolate imports.

Importing French chocolate involves multiple challenges spanning policy, logistics, and documentation; teams lacking expertise can easily fall into customs delays, cost overruns, or compliance risks. Zhongshen International Trade, with 20 yearsImport and exportAgency expertise—marked by pinpoint accuracy in document handling, tight control over logistics management, and sharp insight into trade compliance—creates a high-efficiency corridor from French factories to Chinese shelves for your business. Choosing a professional agent is not just about cutting operational costs; it is about laying a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of your import operations.