1. The Situation of Sino-German Food Trade and the Opportunities for Importing German Cakes

In recent years, Sino-German bilateral trade has continued to deepen. In 2023, the total value of China-Germany trade in goods reached 297.9 billion euros, with the proportion of food imports increasing by 8% year-on-year. As the largest food producer in the European Union, Germany is renowned for its rigorous quality standards and traditional baking techniques. Its cake products (including flavors such as cream and chocolate) are in high demand in China's high-end food market. Driven by the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement, the tariff preferences for German specialty baked goods have expanded, coinciding with China's domestic consumption upgrade trend. This has created a golden window of opportunity for German cake imports. However, it's worth noting that the European Union imposes strict SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) protocols on food exports, while Chinese customs authorities have simultaneously strengthened import food supervision. Compliance with customs clearance regulations has become the key to whether enterprises can efficiently clear customs.

II. German CakeImport Customs ClearanceCore: A Comprehensive Analysis of Document Processing

As prepackaged food, the document system required for the import of German cakes is complex and interconnected.foreign tradeThe agent's professional document processing capabilities directly affect the efficiency of customs clearance. The following are the core documents and review points:

1. Official documentsIt is necessary to provide the "Health Certificate" issued by the German authorities (reviewed by certification bodies such as BV and SGS, or by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, BfR). The focus of the review is to verify whether the "processing technology" and "additive ingredients" comply with the "Standards for the Use of Food Additives" (GB 2760-2014) in China.Origin Certificate(Generally using FORM E or a general certificate of origin) It is necessary to specify "entirely obtained or produced", ensuring the application of the most-favored-nation tariff (15%) or the agreement tariff (if applicable).
2. Corporate documentsIncluding the commercial invoice (which must specify the transaction method of "CIF Shanghai" and the itemized prices), the packing list (which must indicate the gross weight, net weight, and specifications of each box), and the bill of lading.Maritime transportYou need to choose between the shipping company's electronic release or the original bill of lading.Air freightIt is necessary to ensure that the sub-invoices are consistent with the main invoice. The ingredient analysis report must cover key indicators such as protein, fat, and additives (e.g., potassium sorbate), and the testing institution must be accredited by CNAS.
3. Label and DocumentationPre-packaged cakes must comply with GB 7718-2011 "General Guidelines for Labeling of Pre-packaged Foods", and the original label samples and translation documents are required. The focus of the review is on whether the Chinese label indicates mandatory information such as "country of origin", "domestic distributor information", and "production date/shelf life". The agent needs to assist the enterprise in completing the pre-audit of the label in advance to avoid the return of the goods due to non-compliance with the label requirements.

Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.The team has 10 years of experience in document review for the food industry and can quickly identify document defects (such as the qualifications of the signatories of health certificates not meeting requirements, and missing items in the ingredient list), thereby reducing the average document correction cycle by 3-5 working days.

III. Logistics Management: Temperature-controlled transportation and risk control from Germany to China

German cakes often contain ingredients such as cream and fruit puree, which are prone to spoilage. Temperature control and time management during the logistics process are crucial. Foreign trade agents need to match the optimal transportation solution based on the volume of goods and the required delivery time.

• Sea freight (full container/LCL)This applies to large-scale imports of more than 2,000 kg, which require the selection of cold chain containers (Reefer Containers) certified by the TIR (International Road Transport) Convention. The set temperature ranges from -2°C to 5°C (adjusted according to the type of cake) and the temperature is monitored throughout the journey (Reefer Log). The agent can coordinate with shipping companies such as Maersk and CMA CGM to secure cold box slots and indicate the "Food-Grade Cold Box Cleaning Certificate" when booking the shipment.
• Air freightSuitable for small batch orders (≤500kg) and high time-sensitive requirements (such as festive limited-edition products), it is recommended to choose airlines like Lufthansa and Air China that offer a "Green Channel for Fresh and Perishable Goods". Use a combination of EPS insulated boxes and ice packs for packaging to ensure customs clearance within 24 hours after arrival. Agents can assist in obtaining the "Air Transport Conditions Appraisal Certificate" to avoid the risk of airline refusal to transport the goods.

In addition, logistics documents must be consistent with customs clearance documents, such as the "Notify Party" in the bill of lading must be consistent with the importer's filing information, and the "number of pieces" in the packing list must match the actual container seal number. Zhong Shen International Trade realizes real-time synchronization of logistics information with the customs clearance system through the WMS system, which can predict transportation delay risks three days in advance and initiate emergency plans (such as port change and distribution).

IV. Customs compliance operations: tariff classification, tax calculation, and key points of inspection and quarantine

The HS code for German cakes is typically classified as 1905.9000 (Other baked cakes and pastries), with regulatory requirements of "A/B" (A: Customs clearance document for imported goods; B: Customs clearance document for exported goods), meaning that an "Imported Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate" issued by the China Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) must be submitted to customs. Specific compliance requirements are as follows:

1. Tax classification and tax feesIt is necessary to confirm whether the cake ingredients contain cocoa (if the cocoa content is ≥35%, it may be classified as 1806.9000) to avoid classification errors leading to additional tax payments. The comprehensive tax calculation is: customs duty (15%) + value-added tax (13%), and the comprehensive tax rate = 15% + 13% + 15% × 13% = 29.95% (using the CIF price as the customs value). Agents can lock in the tax code through pre-classification services (by submitting the "Pre-Classification Application Form" to the customs) to reduce the risk of subsequent inspections.
2. Inspection and quarantine proceduresAfter the goods arrive at the port, the agent is required to submit the inspection declaration through the "Single Window" within one working day. The customs will randomly select 5-10% of the samples for laboratory testing (including microorganisms, additives, and heavy metals), with a testing period of approximately 7-10 working days. After the testing is qualified, the "Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Imported Goods" will be issued, and the goods can then be put on the market for sale. If the testing fails, the goods must be returned or destroyed under the supervision of the customs. The agent can assist the enterprise in preparing documents such as the return guarantee letter.

V. Extended Services: VTB for Russian BusinessConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages and Certification Tips

For clients engaged in trade with Russia, Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its in-depth cooperation with VTB (Vnesheconombank of Russia) to provide foreign exchange settlement optimization solutions. VTB, as the largest state-owned commercial bank in Russia, retains some settlement channels in the SWIFT system, which can reduce the impact of international sanctions on foreign exchange settlement.?Forex Settlement?Delay risk; at the same time, by locking the exchange rate with hedging tools (such as forward foreign exchange transactions), the comprehensive exchange rate cost is 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points lower than the market average.

Regarding the certification notice: German cake production enterprises need to complete the registration in accordance with the "Regulations on the Registration and Management of Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Food" (Decree No. 145) issued by the General Administration of Customs of China (which can be done through the "Imported Food" platform).CosmeticsTo check the registration status of overseas production enterprises, please refer to the "Overseas Production Enterprise Registration Management System"; if Halal cakes are involved, a HALAL certification (issued by institutions such as JAKIM in Malaysia and MUI in Indonesia) is required. However, the certification process must be handled by the enterprise itself, with the certification authority or the production party cooperating. Zhong Shen can provide a list of certification requirements and process guidance.

VI. Full-Process Agency Services: Closed-Loop Management from Consultation to Feedback

Zhong Shen will export German cakes to China.Import Agent ServicesDivided into 9 major nodes, the whole process controls risks throughout:

1. Client ConsultationThrough the "Demand Assessment Form", clarify the type of cake (frozen/room temperature), the quantity (kg/case), and the time requirements (arrival time at the port), and exclude prohibited import categories such as those containing endangered raw materials (such as caviar).
2. Negotiation and Contract SigningReview the "quality clauses" (such as "subject to the inspection results upon arrival") and "dispute resolution" (it is recommended to choose the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission) in foreign trade contracts to avoid disputes caused by ambiguous clauses.
3. Orders & PaymentAccording to the customer's credit status, we recommend the following payment methods: (T/T 30% prepayment + 70% upon receipt of the bill of lading copy), or immediate payment?L/C?For large-scale transactions, we usually adopt the letter of credit (L/C) payment method, ensuring the safety of funds by submitting the documents through the bank.
4. Production supervisionIf the client requests supervision of production, we can entrust a local third-party organization in Germany (such as TüV) to verify the production environment (e.g., HACCP certification) and the source of raw materials (e.g., whether the cream is pasteurized).
5. Delivery and DistributionAfter customs clearance, we will arrange domestic delivery according to the client's needs (direct delivery by refrigerated trucks to supermarkets or temporary storage in bonded warehouses), and provide GPS real-time tracking and signature confirmation services.
6. Summary FeedbackOutput an "Import Customs Clearance Report", which includes the document flow record, tax and fee details, and logistics efficiency analysis, to assist clients in optimizing their next import plan.

Conclusion: The import customs clearance of German cakes is a multi-dimensional collaborative system project involving "policies, documents, and logistics". Choosing a foreign trade agent with professional document processing capabilities, rich cold-chain logistics experience, and strong regulatory compliance capabilities is the key for enterprises to reduce customs clearance costs and shorten the logistics cycle. Zhong Shen has been dedicated to food import agency services for 20 years and has served over 200 baking enterprises, helping clients seize market opportunities in the German cake import sector.