I. Import Trade Situation and Policy Background of Swiss Chocolate

In recent years, China’s imported-food market has kept expanding; in 2023 the total value of imported food exceeded RMB 1.8 trillion, with imports of chocolate and cocoa products up 12 % year-on-year. Switzerland, the global hub for premium chocolate (accounting for 23 % of Europe’s chocolate-export value), has—backed by the “Swiss-made” quality label—become a prime target for Chinese importers.

At the policy level, since the China-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect in 2014, the MFN tariff on chocolate products (HS 18063200) has been reduced from 10% to 8%, and under the agreement tariff some products can enjoy zero duty (provided they meet the rules of origin). However, it should be noted that in 2024 the General Administration of Customs strengthened the supervision of imported food, requiring overseas manufacturers to complete registration in China (FSMA); products from unregistered enterprises will be returned.

II.Import Agent ServicesCore Competencies: Professional Control of Documents and Logistics

(I) Document Processing: The “Pass” for Full-Chain Compliance

Importing Swiss chocolate requires more than 10 core documents; the professionalism of the brokerage service directly affects customs-clearance speed and risk:

• Basic Commercial Documents: Commercial invoice (must show FOB/CIF price terms), packing list (indicate gross/net weight and specifications for each carton), bill of lading (Maritime transportClean on board bill of lading required,Air freight(Requires matching of the master and house air waybills);
• Officially certified document: The health certificate (PHC) issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) must state "Complies with China’s National Food Safety Standard (GB 9678.2)";Origin Certificate(Form E) must be issued by Swiss Customs or an authorized body, and the product’s HS code must be identical to that on the certificate;
• Test report: Ingredient testing must include cocoa butter content (≥30 % is the dark-chocolate standard), food additives (e.g., lecithin must comply with GB 2760), and microbiological indicators (total plate count ≤10,000 CFU/g).

The agency team must step in 30 days in advance for document pre-audit, focusing on verifying the signatory’s qualification on the health certificate and the consistency between the goods description on the certificate of origin and the actual container labels, so as to avoid customs inspection triggered by “document discrepancy” (which causes an average delay of 7–15 days).

(II) Logistics Services: The “Temperature War” of Cold-Chain Transportation

Chocolate is a heat-sensitive product (optimal storage and transport temperature 15–18 °C, humidity ≤ 60 %); the logistics plan must therefore be designed around “temperature-controlled continuity”:

• Selection of transportation methods: For small batches (≤500 kg), air freight is recommended (direct flights from Frankfurt/Zurich to Shanghai, 48-hour transit), using active temperature-controlled containers (Reefer); for large volumes (≥2,000 kg), sea freight with cold chain is preferred (MSC or Maersk’s Star Cool containers), allowing a 15-day transport window (Switzerland to Shanghai takes about 35 days);
• Temperature control monitoring: The agent must coordinate with the shipping line/airline to provide real-time temperature data (recorded every 2 hours) and install a GPS-enabled temperature probe (accuracy ±0.5 °C) in the container, ensuring that a “transport temperature curve” can be presented during customs inspection;
• Customs Clearance Coordination: Complete the “Single Window” declaration 24 hours before the cargo arrives at the port, apply for “Priority Inspection” (for cold-chain food), and ensure temperature-controlled “l(fā)ast-mile” delivery from the port to the warehouse (use refrigerated box trucks with full traceability of temperature records).

III. Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBConvert foreign exchange into RMBAgency Advantages

Some importers distribute Swiss chocolate through the Russian market (China-Russia food trade volume grew 37% in 2023), involving dual-currency settlement in rubles and euros.Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.Relying on cooperation with Russiaforeign tradeThe bank (VTB)’s long-term partnership offers three major advantages in foreign-exchange settlement for Russia-related business:

• Exchange Rate Lock - in: The exchange rate can be locked in 15 days in advance through VTB’s forward FX settlement tool, hedging against ruble volatility (in 2023 the RMB–RUB fluctuation reached ±18%);
• Arrival time: VTB has established SWIFT direct-connect channels with major Chinese banks (e.g., ICBC, Bank of China), cutting cross-border remittance crediting time to T+1 (industry average: T+3);
• Document Simplification: Supports "dual-header" invoices (Swiss exporter + Russian intermediary), meeting the special documentation requirements of Russian customs in "gray customs clearance" scenarios.

IV. Full Import Process Operations: Detailed Control of 9 Key Nodes

(I) Customer Inquiry and Requirements Confirmation (Node 1)

Four core requirements must be clarified: import volume (determines the mode of transport), target market (supermarket/e-commerce/wholesale affects packaging specifications), special requirements (e.g., organic certification must be declared in advance), and payment terms (T/T 30% deposit or?L/C?L/C）。

(II) Contract Review and Risk Avoidance (Node 2)

Focus on reviewing the quality clauses (quantifiable indicators such as “cocoa butter content ≥ 35%”), the delivery schedule (the Swiss plant’s production cycle is usually 45 days; a 15-day buffer must be reserved), and risk allocation (under CIF terms, risk transfers at the ship’s rail in the port of loading; require the exporter to purchase “all-risks” insurance).

(III) Production Supervision and Compliance Inspection (Node 4)

The agent can assist clients with remote factory supervision, verify the plant’s HACCP certification (held by 90 % of Swiss chocolate factories), trace raw-material origins (cocoa beans must come from sustainably farmed areas, e.g. UTZ-certified), and ensure packaging compliance (Chinese labels must state “Country of origin: Switzerland” and include the domestic distributor’s details).

(IV) Customs Compliance and Duty/Tax Calculation (Node 6)

Import duty = dutiable value × 8% (MFN rate); VAT = (dutiable value + import duty) × 13%. Note that customs may scrutinize the “dutiable value” (if the invoice price is below the customs guidance price, a price-query procedure may be initiated); the agent can help provide the “Swiss Chocolate Industry Price Index” as supporting evidence.

(V) Handling of Quality Issues (Node 8)

Upon arrival, the unpacking inspection must be completed within 48 hours, focusing on: damaged packaging (>5% allows a claim to the insurer), melting and clumping (abnormal temperature records can be traced to transport liability), and missing labels (must be re-attached in the bonded warehouse).

V. Certification Reminder: Necessary procedures that the customer must complete independently

Please note: Zhongshen International Trade does not provide product-certification services, but we can assist in compiling the required documents. Clients must complete the following certifications on their own:

• Import Permit for Animals and Plants Quarantine(If importing chocolate containing raw cocoa beans, an application must be submitted to the General Administration of Customs of China, with a processing period of 30 days);
• Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import(Log in to the “Internet + Customs” platform to submit the documents; an official recommendation letter from the Swiss authorities for the factory is required);
• Domestic Sales Qualification(If repackaging is involved, an SC food-production license is required; for online sales, the “Imported Food Information Filing” must be completed).

VI. Risk Prevention and Cost-Optimization Recommendations

• Exchange Rate Risk: It is recommended to use “cross-border RMB settlement” (under the China-Switzerland local-currency swap agreement, EUR volatility can be avoided);
• Cold-chain risk: Purchase "Refrigerated Cargo Insurance" (covers cargo loss due to temperature exceedance; premium ≈ 0.3% of cargo value);
• Tariff optimization: Make full use of the China-Switzerland FTA, ensure the certificate of origin’s “wholly obtained” clause (local Swiss processing value-added ≥ 40%), and apply for zero-tariff treatment (applicable to some premium artisanal chocolates).

Conclusion: The core value of a Swiss chocolate import agent lies in mitigating customs-clearance risks through professional document handling, safeguarding product quality via cold-chain logistics, and expanding the market by leveraging foreign-exchange advantages in Russia-related trade. Choosing an experienced agency can shorten the import cycle by 30 % and cut overall costs by 15 %, truly achieving “l(fā)etting professionals do what they do best.”