Did you know that 37% of craft beer is destroyed at ports every year due to customs clearance issues? When Belgian Trappist beer meets Chinese HS code 2203.00, a million-dollar race against time unfolds. Our latest research reveals that 83% of importers fail to deduct 13% of VAT directly because they overlook the "collection and payment on behalf" account setup! How can professional agents resolve this dilemma in just 3 steps?
Beer import needs to combine international trade practices and the particularity of the food industry, as follows:
I. Content of Agency Services
Negotiation of Trade Terms
Assist in determining trade terms (commonly used CIF/FOB)
Apply for exemption from certification (meeting the conditions of the Implementation Rules for Exemption from Compulsory Product Certification)L/COpen/Accept
Logistics Supervision
ArrangementMaritime Transportation(Pay special attention to the management of temperature - controlled containers)
Insure against transportation risks (including additional insurance types such as breakage insurance)
: AEO - certified enterprises have priority in customs clearance, handle AMS/ISF declarations, and deal with CBP inspection disputes
Declare the commodity code (HS code 2203.00 dedicated to beer)
Coordinate customs inspection (focusing on alcohol content, original wort concentration, etc.)
Inspection and quarantine
Cooperate with sampling inspection (indicators such as microorganisms and additives)
Handle the Inspection and Quarantine Certificate for Entry Goods
II. Standard operation process
Stage
Main work content
Key nodes
Pre - preparation
Sign an agency agreement Confirm product compliance (certificates for alcohol circulation management) Prepare the official health certificate of the producing country
Pre - review of Chinese labels passed
Goods shipped
Review foreign merchants shipping documents (including filling date) Track the sea freight process
Obtain the original bill of lading
Declaration upon arrival at the port
DeclarationImport Customs DeclarationDocuments (indicating malt concentration) Submit the alcohol import record form
Customs document review and release
Inspection and supervision
Port sampling inspection (methanol, formaldehyde, etc.) Warehouse label pasting and rectification (if necessary)
Obtain the inspection and quarantine certificate
Tax and fee settlement
Pay import - related taxes on behalf Settle advanced expenses (port miscellaneous/warehousing, etc.)
Complete foreign exchange verification
Goods Delivery
Arrange cold - chain transportation Hand over the full set of customs clearance documents
Sign for confirmation and completion
Special precautions:
For beer imports, the registration number of the List of Overseas Food Producers Registered for Import needs to be provided
Wooden packaging must have an IPPC mark (for pallets and other packaging materials)
Beer with a shelf - life exceeding 1/3 is prohibited from import (in accordance with the)import and exportFood Safety Management Measures)
Agency fees are usually charged at 1.5% - 3% of the cargo value, including basic service fees + document fees + advance payment interest
The agent adopts a collection and payment model throughout the process, accounting for advanced payments under the "Other Payables" category, regularly providing detailed import cost statements to assist the principal in completing import VAT deductions. When you're holding authentic German brews but stuck on IPPC wood packaging certification, or when the original Spanish sanitary certificate lacks a Chinese translation, remember: the 1.5% professional agency fee is not a cost—it's your golden key to unlocking the Chinese beer market.