I. Current Status of China–South Korea Coffee Trade and the Value of Agency Services

In recent years, the deepening implementation of the China–South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has propelled rapid growth in bilateral food trade; in 2023, China’s import value of coffee and coffee products from South Korea rose 18 % year-on-year, with roasted beans, instant powders, and ready-to-drink coffee categories continuing to gain traction. Yet Korean coffee imports involve HS-code classification (e.g., 0901210000 for unroasted coffee),Origin Certificate(FORM E), Health Certificate, and other complex documents, compoundedInternational LogisticsFluctuation (2024Maritime transportFuel surcharges have risen 5%–8%) and customs-compliance demands are tightening; companies that handle procedures on their own can easily face risks such as order rejection, port detention, and overdue tax payments. Professionalforeign tradeBy integrating documentation, logistics, and compliance resources, the agent can compress customs-clearance time from the industry average of 7–10 days to 3–5 days and cut overall costs by 12 %–15 %, becoming a core driver for companies importing coffee.

II. CoffeeImport Agent ServicesFull Process: Professional Control of Documentation and Logistics

(I) Preliminary Consultation and Needs Confirmation: Precisely Defining the Scope of Services

During the agency-service launch phase, the client must specify the coffee category (roasted beans / instant powder / capsule coffee), country of origin (Korea domestic production or third-country transshipment), and import volume (20-ft container / 40-ft container /Air freightBulk cargo), destination port (Shanghai/Qingdao/Tianjin) and any special requirements (e.g., organic-certified coffee needs an extra declaration). For example, if a client imports roasted beans from Jeju Island, South Korea, confirm in advance that the HS code is 0901220000 (roasted coffee) and check the duty rate under the China–Korea FTA (with FORM E the MFN rate is 0%). At the same stage, inform the client that Korean coffee imports require: - a sanitary certificate issued by MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea) - a component test report (e.g., caffeine content) - the Chinese customs-required importer filing for food products The client must obtain these certifications on their own or through a third party; the agent can only help review document compliance.

(II) Contract Negotiation and Advance Document Review: Mitigating Legal and Operational Risks

Before signing the contract, the agent focuses on reviewing the transaction terms: payment method (T/T 30% deposit + 70% on arrival vs. L/C at sight), delivery terms (FOB Busan vs. CIF Shanghai), quality standards (must comply with China’s GB 2760 food-additive standard), and dispute resolution (CISG is recommended). For example, if payment is by L/C, the agent will check every item line by line.?L/C?Consistency between terms and the contract (e.g., product name, quantity, document requirements) to prevent bank refusal due to “discrepancies in documents.” Simultaneously, pre-review the commercial invoice provided by the Korean supplier (must state FOB value), packing list (indicate net/gross weight per carton), and certificate of origin (FORM E must show the cargo route; transshipment may void tariff preferences), ensuring a complete customs-clearance document chain later.

(3) Logistics Solution Design and Execution: The Optimal Balance Between Cost and Timeliness

Logistics is the pivotal node in coffee imports. Based on cargo volume and time-sensitivity, the agent designs the transport plan:

• Maritime transport: Suitable for bulk shipments of 20 ft container (approx. 15–18 tons) and above; prioritize carriers such as Hanjin Shipping and Hyundai Merchant Marine. When booking, specify “Clean B/L” to prevent remarks on the bill of lading due to damaged packaging.Convert foreign exchange into RMB；Transport insurance shall be arranged under CIF terms for “All Risks + War Risk,” covering moisture, collision and other perils during transit; the manifest must be declared through the “Single Window” before arrival, while the pre-entered customs declaration is transmitted to Customs in parallel, enabling “direct release alongside the vessel.”
• Air freight: For small batches (under 500 kg) or rush orders, choose Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, etc., closely monitor flight status (Incheon–Shanghai is about a 2-hour flight), and at customs clearance adopt the “two-step declaration” model (file the core info first, submit complete documents later) to shorten pickup time.

  In addition, the agent partners with AEO-certified warehouses in major ports such as Qingdao and Shanghai to provide “bonded warehousing + distribution” services, allowing customers to release goods in batches according to their sales pace and reduce inventory pressure.
  

(IV) Customs-compliant declaration: accuracy in HS classification and tax/duty calculation

During customs clearance, the agent’s core task is to ensure that the documents and the goods are “consistent document-to-document and document-to-goods.” The key documents to be submitted include:

• Commercial Invoice (must match the contract amount and serve as the basis for customs duties)
• Packing list (indicating the specification of coffee in each carton, e.g., 25 kg/bag)
• Certificate of Origin (FORM E, must be issued by Korean Customs or an authorized agency)
• Health Certificate (must state "Complies with China-Korea Food Hygiene Standards")
• Importer Filing Certificate for Imported Food (The customer must complete the filing in the General Administration of Customs system in advance)

HS-code classification is the linchpin of compliance: “roasted coffee not decaffeinated” falls under 0901220010, whereas “instant coffee” is 2101200000 (15 % duty, dropping to 0 % under the China–Korea FTA with FORM E). Brokers avoid post-entry back-duty or penalties by securing advance rulings—e.g., filing a Customs “Decision on Pre-Classification of Goods”. On the tax side, if the cargo is declared CIF Shanghai at USD 100 000, duty = dutiable value × rate (0 %), VAT = (dutiable value + duty) × 13 % = USD 13 000; the broker simultaneously sets up “summary taxation” for the client, granting a 30-day payment deferral and easing cash-flow pressure.

III. Expansion of Russia-related Business: VTB’s Exchange-Settlement Edge Boosts Capital Efficiency

If a client’s import of Korean coffee involves re-export to Russia or settlement in rubles, the agent can leverage its partnership with VTB Bank (Bank for Foreign Trade of Russia): through VTB’s cross-border RMB settlement channel, SWIFT restrictions are bypassed and FX settlement is shortened from the usual 5–7 days to 2–3 days; a forward-exchange service is also offered (e.g., locking USD 1 = CNY 7.2) to mitigate currency volatility (the RUB/CNY swing is forecast at 10 %–15 % in 2024). For instance, one client used the VTB channel via the agent for coffee re-export settlement to Russia, saving about CNY 20,000 in financing costs per shipment and improving capital turnover by 20 %.

IV. Risk Warnings and Key Points for Client Collaboration

Although the agent oversees all critical milestones throughout the process, the client must still note:

1. Certification documents: Korean coffee must comply with China’s General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2011); the Chinese label must state “Country of Origin: Korea,” “Name of Domestic Agent,” etc. Non-compliant labels may lead to return shipment (in 2023, 12 % of imported food returns by customs were due to labeling issues).
2. : 3000 consecutive die - casting tests must be completed before leaving the factory, and an 《Equipment Reliability Report》 shall be issued.: Upon arrival, customs may conduct random sampling tests (e.g., pesticide residues, microbiological indicators); the agent can help arrange third-party testing (e.g., SGS, CTI), but the testing fees and any remediation responsibility rest with the customer.
3. Policy Updates: Monitor the revision of the China–South Korea FTA (e.g., possible expansion of zero-tariff categories in 2024) and the facilitation measures for China Customs AEO-certified enterprises (e.g., priority inspection, reduced inspection rates); the agent will regularly push policy interpretations to help clients optimize their import plans.

V. Conclusion: Professional Agency Empowers Efficient Coffee Import Implementation

Korean coffee imports are a textbook case of “high-documentation demands, logistics-heavy reliance, and strict compliance constraints.” A professional broker breaks the three bottlenecks—slow clearance, high cost, and high risk—through pinpoint document checks (cutting rejection rates by 90%+), flexible logistics plans (sea/air/bonded split), deep compliance know-how (98 %+ HS-code accuracy), and VTB-settlement edges for Russia-bound deals. As China–Korea food trade deepens, choosing an agent with full-chain control will become the core competitive edge for seizing the coffee-import market.