I. International Trade Landscape and Opportunities for French Coffee Imports

In recent years, China’s coffee market has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent. In 2023, import volumes exceeded 150,000 metric tons, with premium French beans—thanks to their distinctive roasting techniques and 100 % Arabica pedigree—accounting for more than 8 %. Against the current trade backdrop, the deepening China–France Free-Trade Agreement has created favorable conditions through tariff concessions (MFN rate 8 %) and streamlined customs clearance. It should be noted, however, that the EU enforces stringent SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) oversight on agricultural exports, while China’s customs authorities have tightened pesticide-residue screening for imported coffee (e.g., aflatoxin B1 limit ≤ 5 μg/kg), posingImport Agent Serviceshas placed higher demands on professionalism.

II. Core Services of French Coffee Import Agency: Documentation and Logistics as Dual Drivers

(1) Document Processing: The "Lifeline" of Trade Compliance

The core documents required for importing French coffee include:

1. Commercial Documents: Commercial invoice (must indicate FOB/CIF price terms and country-of-origin information), packing list (showing the weight and packaging specifications of each carton, corresponding one-to-one with the bill of lading);
2. Official Certificate: Sanitary Certificate issued by the French Ministry of Agriculture (must bear the statement “Complies with China’s GB 30616-2021 food-safety standard”),Origin Certificate(CO, apply for EUR.1 format if tariff preferences are involved);
3. transportation documents:Maritime transportBill of lading (B/L, whether telex release or original, must clearly state “clean on board”), insurance policy (under CIF terms must cover 110 % of cargo value; it is recommended to add “taint of odor” coverage);
4. Domestic pre-file: Import Permit for Animals and Plants (AQSIQ; must be applied for at Customs 30 days in advance).

Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.The team brings 20 years of documentation-review experience and can finish a full set pre-check three working days in advance, focusing on common failure points such as “whether the sanitary certificate’s pesticide-residue items cover Chinese standards” and “whether the issuing body of the certificate of origin is recorded with the authorities,” thereby eliminating the risk of return or port detention caused by document discrepancies (statistics show that 30 % of customs-clearance delays stem from paperwork defects).

(II) Logistics Management: The “Balancing Act” of Cost and Timeliness

The mainstream transportation methods for French coffee imports are sea freight (accounting for 85%) andAir freight(Premium Small-Batch). Sea freight: preferred Le Havre–Yangshan route (≈35 days transit), in partnership with MSC, CMA and other carriers, securing space and negotiating 10–15 % rate discounts; air freight: direct CDG–PVG, 5–7 days door-to-door, ideal for high-value estate-grade beans.

Throughout the entire logistics process, we focus on controlling:

• Booking stage: Work backward from the customer’s delivery date to set the cut-off time, avoiding extra charges caused by “l(fā)ate cut-off and reallocation.”
• Transportation monitoring: Real-time container tracking via TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) e-seals, with instant alerts for anomalies (e.g., delays exceeding 24 hours);
• Destination port operation: Submit the “import cargo manifest” to Customs two days in advance, enabling “direct pick-up alongside the vessel” and reducing demurrage (port storage is typically USD 20 per day per 20GP).

III. Expansion of Business with Russia: VTBConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages that boost cash flow

If the client is involved in re-exporting French coffee via Russia or in joint procurement with Russian partners, Zhongshen International Trade, leveraging its cooperation with VTB (Russiaforeign tradeBank) enables efficient foreign-exchange settlement. As Russia’s largest state-owned commercial bank, VTB offers shorter clearing routes and narrower FX spreads (0.3–0.5 bp tighter than ordinary banks) in cross-border RMB settlement, cutting the settlement cycle to three working days (industry average: 5–7 days) and supporting direct RUB/CNY conversion to reduce exchange-loss risk.

IV. Customer Notice: Certification Boundaries and Risk Warnings

The certifications that may be involved in importing French coffee include:

• EU Organic Certification (EC 834/2007): For organic coffee beans, certification must be issued by an EU-recognized body (e.g., ECOCERT);
• Kosher Certification: Additional certification targeted at specific religious markets;
• China Organic Product Certification (CQC): Required when repacking for domestic sale after importation.

It must be clearly stated: Zhongshen International Trade does not directly provide certification services, but it can assist clients in compiling supporting documents such as “production process records” and “ingredient test reports” required for certification, liaise with certification bodies to guide the application process, and reduce the time cost for clients handling certification on their own.

V. Full-Process Agency Services: Closed-Loop Management from Consultation to Feedback

Based on the characteristics of French coffee imports, the service workflow is refined as follows:

1. Client Consultation: Confirm the coffee-bean category (green/roasted), purchase volume (FCL/LCL), and target market (e-commerce/offline channels); assess whether temperature-controlled transport is required (20–25 °C recommended for green beans, 15–20 °C with moisture protection for roasted beans);
2. Negotiation and Contract Signing: Focus on reviewing the “Quality Clause” in the contract (e.g., defect beans ≤3%), the “Risk Transfer Point” (under FOB, risk transfers after goods are loaded on board), and “Dispute Resolution” (CIETAC is recommended);
3. Orders & Payment: Recommend payment terms based on the customer’s credit profile (30% deposit + 70% against bill-of-lading copy for new customers; D/P 30 days negotiable for long-term partners);
4. Production supervision: For customized roasted beans, dispatch QC to the French plant to verify the roasting curve (recommended dark roast ≤18%) and packaging seal integrity (oxygen content ≤2%);
5. Customs Compliance: Pre-classify HS codes (green beans 09012100, roasted beans 09012200), calculate the comprehensive tax rate (8% import duty + 13% VAT), and assist in the “two-step declaration” (summary declaration + full declaration);
6. Delivery and Distribution: Partnering with JD Logistics and SF Cold Chain to maintain end-to-end temperature control from port to warehouse to store, ensuring the coffee beans arrive with a moisture content ≤12%.
7. Quality Assurance: Submit samples to SGS for testing (covering moisture, impurities, and mold); if issues such as “green-bean germination rate below standard” are found, assist in lodging a claim against the French party (the inspection report must be submitted within 15 days after arrival at the port);
8. Summary Feedback: Provide the "Import Cost Analysis Report" (including the proportions of ocean freight, customs duties, and warehousing fees) and the "Logistics Timeliness Evaluation Sheet" to help customers optimize their next procurement plan.