I. Analysis of Market Opportunities and Trade Situation for Korean Cookie Imports

In recent years, China's imported food market has continued to expand. South Korean biscuits have gained popularity among young consumers due to their unique flavors and exquisite packaging. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the total trade volume of food products between China and South Korea increased by 12.3% year-on-year from January to October 2023. Among these products, the import volume of biscuits accounted for more than 8%, indicating significant market potential.

From the perspective of the international trade environment, after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) came into effect, the tariff concessions on food products between China and South Korea have been further deepened. The most-favored-nation tariff rate for some South Korean biscuits (such as HS code 1905.3100 "Sweet Biscuits") has been reduced from 15% to 5%, and zero tariffs will be achieved by 2025, greatly reducing import costs. However, it should be noted that as a member of the WTO, South Korea's exported food products must comply with China's "Regulations on the Registration Management of Foreign Food Production Enterprises", and foreign production enterprises must complete registration in China (obtain a registration number in China) before they can import their products.

In addition, fluctuations in global supply chains and technical trade barriers (TBT) remain potential challenges. For example, starting from 2024, South Korea will strengthen the compliance review of food additives exported to the country, requiring more detailed ingredient testing reports. Meanwhile, Chinese customs has also intensified the review of import food labels. Food products without Chinese labels that comply with the GB 7718 standard will face the risk of being returned to the sender.

II. Korean biscuitsImport Agent ServicesService core: Full-process control from documents to logistics

As a professionalforeign tradeAgent,Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.The company's services cover the entire cycle of "consultation - contract signing - customs clearance - delivery", and its core advantages are reflected in the following aspects:Standardized processing of shipping documentsandLogistics Precision ControlTwo major stages.

(I) Document processing: The "first line of defense" to avoid customs clearance risks

Korean cookies are prepackaged food products. The core documents required for importing them include:

• Official documentsThe health certificate (or health report) issued by the South Korean authorities;Origin Certificate(FORM E, which entitles you to enjoy RCEP tariff preferences), ingredient analysis report (including the types and limits of additives), and production date/shelf life certificate;
• Commercial documentsContract (specifying trade terms such as CIF Qingdao), invoice (reflecting the actual transaction price, which will be used by customs to determine the customs duty and taxable value), packing list (indicating gross/net weight, number of items, and specifications);
• Special documentsChinese label samples (which must include 11 mandatory items such as product name, ingredient list, production date, shelf life, and importer information) and the import food consignee registration certificate (which must be registered in advance by the importing enterprise on the "Internet + Customs" platform).

The professionalism of the agency service is reflected in the following aspects:

• Pre-trial review and correction: Pre-review the consistency of document logic (such as the production batch number in the health certificate matching the batch number in the packing list), and promptly notify the client to make corrections if any issues are found (e.g., the FORM E visa agency is not an authorized department in South Korea). This helps avoid delays in customs clearance due to document mismatches.
• Category ArchiveAccording to the requirements of the customs, the documents shall be divided into accompanying documents (such as invoices and packing lists) and special supervision documents (such as health certificates), to ensure that the declared items are consistent with the accompanying documents and the documents are consistent with each other during the declaration process.

(II) Logistics Management: Two-Dimensional Optimization of Cost and Efficiency

The import of Korean cookies is mainly from Japan, the United States, and China.Maritime transportMainly, the mainstream routes are Incheon Port → Qingdao/Shanghai/Tianjin Port, with a voyage duration of about 3-5 days. Given that biscuits are prone to moisture and fragility, the agent's services need to pay special attention to the following aspects:

• Selection of transportation methodsRegular cookies are transported in standard containers (20GP/40GP), while those containing perishable ingredients such as butter require refrigerated containers (RF). It is necessary to confirm the temperature and humidity control standards (usually 0-4°C) with the shipping company in advance.
• Logistics node monitoringThrough the maritime tracking system (such as ShipNet), track the cargo's movements in real time, and complete the pre-declaration for the "Single Window" three days before the arrival of the goods to reduce the waiting time in port;
• : Require the agent to purchase liability insurance of at least 5 million yuanIt is recommended to purchase an "All Risks" insurance policy, which covers cargo damage caused by collisions, water damage, and other factors during transportation. The agent can assist clients in negotiating the most optimal premium plan with the insurance company.

III. Customs Compliance and Payment Settlement: VTB for Russian Business OperationsConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages Extended

During the customs declaration process, the agent needs to complete the following key actions:

• HS Code Classification：Accurately classify it under item 1905 (such as 1905.3100 "Sweet Biscuits" or 1905.3200 "Waffle Biscuits"), to avoid tax rate application deviations caused by incorrect classification;
• to transportation plan optimizationTariff = Dutiable value × Tariff rate (5% or 0% under RCEP), Value-added tax = (Dutiable value + Tariff) × 13%. The agent can assist clients in realizing "release first, pay tax later" through "Tariff Guarantee Insurance", thus alleviating their financial pressure.
• Tariff DisputeIn the event of customs inspection, the agent shall accompany the inspection, verify the goods against the declared information (such as specifications and production dates), and assist in providing supplementary explanations (such as the original ingredient testing report).

It's worth noting that if clients engage in trade with Russia at the same time, Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd. can provide support based on its long-term cooperation with the Russian Foreign Trade Bank (VTB).High-efficiency foreign exchange settlement servicesSupport direct ruble-RMB exchange, shorten the foreign exchange settlement period to 1-2 working days (the industry average is 3-5 days), and help customers avoid the risk of exchange rate fluctuations through lock-in tools, which is especially suitable for importers with multi-regional operations.

IV. Customer Notice: Certification Requirements and the Boundaries of Agency Services

It should be noted that the import of Korean biscuits involves two key certifications, but Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd. does not directly provide certification services.

1. Registration of overseas production enterprisesKorean biscuit manufacturers need to pass the review of the General Administration of Customs of China (the registration number can be found on the "Imported Food" website).CosmeticsImport and export(For inquiries about the "Trade Registration System"), clients need to contact the Korean manufacturing companies directly to complete the registration process;
2. Domestic sales licenseImported cookies entering supermarkets and other channels must comply with GB 2760 (Food Additive Use Standards). Customers need to commission third-party testing institutions (such as SGS and Huace) to complete the testing and obtain the corresponding reports.

The value of the agency service lies in assisting clients in organizing the list of materials required for certification (such as enterprise qualification documents and product testing report templates) and providing coordinated suggestions for "certification progress-logistics planning" (e.g., recommending that shipments be arranged after the production enterprise completes registration), thereby avoiding situations where goods cannot be cleared at the port due to delays in certification.

5. Summary of the whole process: A service closed-loop from "customs clearance" to "delivery".

Zhong Shen International Trade's Korean cookie import agency service aims to achieve "zero errors in documents and zero delays in logistics", and realizes a closed-loop service through the following steps:

1. Preliminary ConsultationDefine the client's needs (such as whether they require a cold chain or a target customs clearance port) and evaluate the feasibility of the necessary documents.
2. Contract reviewAssist in reviewing trade contracts (with a focus on quality clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms) to avoid legal risks;
3. Logistics CollaborationMake a "arrival-declaration-inspection" schedule according to the shipping schedule, and coordinate with the warehouse (such as the designated bonded warehouse) at the same time;
4. Customs clearance deliveryAfter completing the tax payment, we will arrange for the pickup of the container within one working day and deliver it to the client's designated location within two working days.
5. After-sales feedback: Provide the 《Import Customs ClearanceSummarize the report (including the breakdown of taxes and fees and the record of document retention), and assist the client in optimizing their next import plan.

Conclusion: The Korean cookie import market holds great potential, but compliance and efficiency are key. By choosing professional agency services, enterprises can minimize import costs, seize market opportunities, and achieve this through accurate document processing, efficient logistics management, and clear risk warnings.