Analysis of the Import Trade Situation and Opportunities of Korean Cookies

In recent years, Sino-Korean food trade has continued to heat up driven by the benefits of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). According to data from the General Administration of Customs in 2023, China's total food imports from South Korea increased by 18.7% year-on-year, with baked products (including cookies) accounting for more than 35% and becoming the "growth engine" of imported food. South Korean cookies are in high demand in China's high-end snack market due to their fine craftsmanship, diverse flavors (such as traditional rice cake flavors and cheese fillings) and strict quality control standards (in line with the MFDS regulations of the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety). However, it should be noted that with the implementation of the "Regulations on the Registration Management of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import" (Decree No. 248 of the General Administration of Customs), overseas producers of imported cookies are required to complete registration in China and comply with domestic mandatory standards such as GB 7100-2015 "National Food Safety Standard for Cookies", which poses challenges for overseas producers.Import Agent ServicesThis places higher demands on the compliance capabilities of the company.

Import Agent Core Services: A Detailed Explanation of the Entire Document Processing Workflow

Documents areImport Customs ClearanceAs a "lifeline" in international trade, the ability of professional agents to handle documents directly affects the efficiency and cost of customs clearance. For Korean cookie imports, the key documents include:

• Basic commercial documentsCommerical invoice (which must specify the transaction method such as CIF/FOB, unit price, and total amount), packing list (which lists the packaging specifications, gross weight/net weight, and number of items), and bill of lading.Maritime transport/Air freightmaster and house bills);
• Origin CertificateCertificateUnder the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), you can apply for a FORM E certificate of origin (note the rules regarding "fully obtained" or "substantial transformation" to ensure the application of tariff preferences).
• Official health documentThe health certificate issued by the South Korean authorities must specify the product's ingredients, production date, shelf life, and a statement confirming compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS).
• Quality Inspection ReportThe ingredient analysis report (COA) must include the types and content of additives (such as leavening agents and preservatives), which need to be compared with the "Food Additives Use Standards" (GB 2760-2014) in China.
• Other supporting documentsFor example, the importer's registration number for imported food, the automatic import license (usually not required for non-endangered biscuits), and the contract (which must clearly specify the dispute resolution clause and the quality claim period).

Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.As a professional agent, we provide the following services in the document preparation phase: ① Pre-audit service: We verify document elements in advance (e.g., the classification differences between HS codes 8474.2000 and 8533.3100) to avoid overpaying tariffs or being subject to inspections due to incorrect HS codes. ② Multi-language translation: We accurately translate Korean documents (such as health certificates) into Chinese and affix translation stamps to ensure compliance with customs declaration requirements. ③ Electronic data entry: We complete the pre-entry of customs declarations through the Single Window system, ensuring consistency between paper and electronic documents. In 2022, we assisted a client in correcting an error in the "Transport Route" field of the Certificate of Origin, preventing the cancellation of tariff preferences due to non-compliance with the "Direct Transport Rule" (involving a cargo value of approximately 1.2 million yuan).

Logistics service system: Seamless connection from South Korea to China

Logistics is the "nerve center" of import agents, requiring a balance between cost, efficiency, and cargo safety. The mainstream transportation methods for Korean cookie imports are maritime transport (accounting for about 70%) and air transport (for urgent orders or small batches):

• Ocean shipping solutionThe main ports are Busan Port → Qingdao/Shanghai/Tianjin Port, with a voyage duration of approximately 3-5 days. Agents can choose full container (FCL) or consolidated container (LCL) based on the cargo volume: full containers are suitable for 20-foot/40-foot containers (a 20-foot container can hold approximately 18-20 tons), while consolidated containers require attention to the apportionment of origin and handling charges (ORC, THC) at the port of departure.
• Air Freight SolutionIncheon Airport → Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou Airports, with a transit time of approximately 1-2 days, suitable for orders with short shelf lives (such as freshly baked cookies) or urgent replenishment orders. Special attention should be paid to the "temperature control requirements" in the airwaybill (AWB) (some cookies need to be transported at a temperature below 25°C);
• Value - added Services① Port of destination document exchange: Establish long-term cooperation with shipping companies/airlines to quickly obtain the delivery order (D/O); ② Customs clearance coordination: Collaborate with customs brokers to handle inspections (e.g., the "microbiological indicators" inspection of a batch of cookies at Qingdao Port in 2023. The agent coordinated with the laboratory to conduct urgent testing and completed the release within 48 hours); ③ Bonded warehouse storage: If clients need to sell goods in batches, we can arrange for storage in a bonded zone (with deferred tariff payment) and provide distribution services (with support for a nationwide logistics network).

Trade Compliance and Certification Tips: Key Steps That Customers Need to Know

It should be noted that Zhong Shen does not directly provide product certification services, but will clearly inform clients of the certifications they need to complete on their own and the assistance that the agency can provide.

• Registration of overseas production enterprisesAccording to Decree No. 248 of the General Administration of Customs, Korean biscuit manufacturers are required to complete the registration through the "Registration Management System for Overseas Food Manufacturers" (the registration number format is "KR+14-digit number"), and agents can assist in verifying the validity of the registration certificate;
• Domestic label registrationImported biscuits must be labeled in Chinese (including the ingredient list, production date, shelf life, and information about the domestic agent), and must comply with GB 7718-2011 "General Principles of Labeling for Prepackaged Foods". The agent can provide a template for label review.
• Importing companies must meet the following requirements: 1. Have a valid business license issued by the local government. 2. Have a valid tax registration certificate. 3. Have a valid foreign exchange registration certificate. 4. Have a valid customs registration certificate. 5. Have a valid quality inspection certificate. 6. Have a valid production license for the products being imported. 7. Have a valid business scope statement. 8. Have a valid credit rating certificate. 9. Have a valid insurance policy for the products being imported. 10. Have a valid labor contract for the employees involved in the import process. 11. Have a valid contract with the overseas supplier of the products being imported. 12. Have a valid contract with the overseas manufacturer of the products being imported. 13. Have a valid contract with the overseas transporter of the products being imported. 14. Have a valid contract with the overseas storage facility of the products being imported. 15. Have a valid contract with the overseas inspection agency of the products being imported. 16. Have a valid contract with the overseas insurance company of the products being imported. 17. Have a valid contract with the overseas customs broker of the products being imported. 18. Have a valid contract with the overseas shipping company of the products being imported. 19. Have a valid contract with the overseas port authority of the products being imported. 20. Have a valid contract with the overseas quarantine authority of the products being imported. 21. Have a valid contract with the overseas phytosanitary authority of the products being imported. 22. Have a valid contract with the overseas veterinary authority of the products being imported. 23. Have a valid contract with the overseas environmental protection authority of the products being imported. 24. Have a valid contract with the overseas health authority of the products being imported. 25. Have a valid contract with the overseas standardization authority of the products being imported. 26. Have a valid contract with the overseas certification authority of the products being imported. 27. Have a valid contract with the overseas accreditation authority of the products being imported. 28. Have a valid contract with the overseas standardization authority of the products being imported. 29. Have a valid contract with the overseas accreditation authority of the products being imported. 30. Have a valid contract with the overseas standardization authority of the products being imported. 31. Have a valid contract with the overseas accreditation authority of the products being imported. 32. Have a valid contract with the overseas standardization authority of the products being imported. 33. Have a valid contract with the overseas accreditation authority of the products being imported. 34. 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Have a valid contract with the overseas accreditation authority of theThe client must hold a food business license (including the scope of "pre-packaged food sales"), and the agent can assist in verifying the completeness of the qualification documents.
• Since January 2025, Russia has made it mandatory to register for EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)In 2023, the General Administration of Customs issued a warning about the "excessive peroxide value" of a certain brand of Korean biscuits. The agent will monitor risks in advance through platforms such as RASFF (EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) to alert clients to avoid dealing with problematic companies.

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages assist in diversified settlement

For clients who have the need for transit or settlement with Russia, Zhong Shen International Trade relies on its cooperation with Russian partners to provide comprehensive services, including market research, product promotion, and logistics solutions.foreign tradeThrough long-term cooperation with the bank (VTB), we offer convenient foreign exchange settlement services:

• Settlement efficiencyAs a systemically important bank in Russia, VTB has established direct SWIFT connections with major domestic banks (such as Bank of China and ICBC), significantly reducing the time required for cross-border wire transfers (T/T) to just 1-2 working days (compared to the usual 3-5 days required by regular banks).
• Exchange Rate Lock - inIt is possible to lock in the ruble/RMB exchange rate through VTB's "forward foreign exchange settlement" product, thereby avoiding the risk of exchange rate fluctuations (for example, in 2023, the fluctuation range of the ruble against the RMB exceeded 15%, and locking in the exchange rate could save about 5% of the cost).
• Compliance guaranteeVTB strictly adheres to the regulations on trade settlement between China and Russia, and can assist in handling "dual currency settlements" (for example, paying part of the goods with RMB and part with rubles), thereby reducing the risk of single currency settlements.

Practical Guide to the Entire Process of Import Agency: A Closed-Loop Service from Consultation to Feedback

Based on our 10 years of agency experience, the import of Korean cookies can be summarized as a "9-step closed-loop process":

1. Client ConsultationDetermine the product ingredients (whether they contain dairy products/nuts), HS code (for example, cookies containing cocoa are classified under 8533.3100 with a 15% tariff; ordinary cookies are classified under 8474.2000 with a 10% tariff), and the import destination port (which affects logistics costs).
2. Negotiation and Contract SigningReview the trade terms in the contract (it is recommended to use CIF, with the seller responsible for transport insurance) and the payment method (for small orders, a 30% prepayment plus 70% upon receipt of the bill of lading is suggested; for large orders, an L/C can be opened).
3. Orders & PaymentHelp clients open accounts at VTB (for business with Russia) or domestic banks.?L/C?(Letter of Credit), monitor the progress of prepayment payments;
4. Production supervisionIf requested by the client, we can entrust third-party inspection agencies such as SGS to conduct inspections (e.g., checking the integrity of packaging and reviewing the initial label designs).
5. Logistics ManagementBooking a shipping slot (coordinating with the shipping company to reserve a slot), tracking the cargo (checking the arrival time in real-time through the maritime EIR system), and purchasing marine all-risks insurance (covering damage during transportation);
6. Customs CompliancePre-categorization (to ensure the accuracy of the HS code), calculation of the comprehensive tax rate (tariff + 13% value-added tax, some involving consumption tax), and submission of the customs declaration form (the accompanying documents must be stamped with the official seal);
7. Delivery and DistributionAfter customs clearance, we will arrange domestic logistics (with our partner fleet supporting nationwide delivery) and provide a delivery note (for customers to confirm receipt of the goods).
8. Quality AssuranceHelp clients send samples for inspection (such as sending them to the local customs technical center for testing) and handle quality issues (e.g., if a return shipment is necessary, the agent can assist in processing the "Returned Goods Declaration Form").
9. Summary FeedbackProvide the "Import Execution Report" (including logistics efficiency, customs clearance costs, and a summary of document issues), settle the final payment, and archive the documents (retain them for at least three years to meet customs inspection requirements).

Conclusion: The import of Korean cookies requires taking into account the trade situation, document compliance, and logistics efficiency. Choosing a professional agent can significantly reduce customs clearance risks and shorten delivery times. Zhong Shen International Trade has been engaged in import agency services for 20 years, adhering to the service principle of "zero errors in documents and zero delays in logistics", helping clients seize the business opportunities of Korean cookie imports.