Home»Import Agent Services» A Complete Guide to British Biscuit Import Agency: Analysis of Documents, Logistics, and Compliance Practices
I. Current Trade Situation and Opportunities for British Biscuit Imports
In recent years, with the continuous deepening of China-UK economic and trade cooperation, China's imports of food products from the UK increased by 12% year-on-year in 2023, with bakery products (including biscuits) accounting for over 20%. After Brexit, although trade rules with the EU have been adjusted, China and the UK have reached several facilitation consensus through the "China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue," and food import tariffs have remained generally stable (the MFN tariff rate for biscuits under HS codes 1905.31/1905.32 is 15%, with a 13% VAT). However, attention must be paid to the new compliance requirements brought about by the UK's "Food Safety and Environment Act" (2021) and China Customs' "Administrative Regulations on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food" (Decree No. 248), such as the requirement for overseas manufacturers to complete registration in China (FCP), otherwise customs clearance will not be possible.
II. The Core of a Professional Agent: Full-Cycle Control of Documents and Logistics
Importing British biscuits requires the preparation of eight core documents: commercial invoice (must specify cargo description, unit price, country of origin), packing list (listing packaging specifications, gross/net weight),Origin CertificateCertificate of Origin (CO or back-to-back certificate, proving "British origin"), official UK health certificate (issued by APHA, confirming compliance with Chinese food safety standards like GB 2760), Bill of Lading (B/L, a document of title, must be a clean B/L), certificate of analysis (including information on additives and allergens), sample of the Chinese label (for pre-review to avoid rectification), and the registration form for the consignee of imported food. Our document team has over 10 years of operational experience and can complete a pre-review of documents 3 working days in advance, avoiding demurrage fees (average of about USD 200-500 per day) caused by "document discrepancies." In 2023, we assisted clients in resolving over 200 document issues, shortening the average customs clearance time by 48 hours.
(II) Logistics Management: The Optimal Balance of Cost and Timeliness
The choice of transport method needs to be combined with cargo volume and timeliness: for small batches (<200kg),Air freightair freight is recommended (London-Shanghai, 4-6 days), with a cost of about USD 5-8/kg; for large shipments (full container/LCL),Maritime transportsea freight is preferred (FCL/LCL, Port of London - Shanghai Yangshan Port, 35-40 days), with a full container costing about USD 2500-3000/20GP. Our company has long-term agreements with shipping lines like Maersk and CMA CGM, as well as airlines like Air China and Lufthansa, allowing us to secure 10%-15% discounts on freight rates. Full-process logistics monitoring includes: providing ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) after booking, real-time position tracking via vessel tracking websites/airline tracking systems during transit, completing the bill of exchange (D/O) 3 days before arrival, and arranging domestic land transport within 24 hours of customs clearance (our partner fleet covers major cities nationwide, with a delivery time of ≤3 days). The client logistics complaint rate in 2023 was only 0.3%, far below the industry average of 1.2%.
For British biscuit import business involving re-export to Russia or procurement from Russia, our company provides a safe and efficient settlement solution through cooperation with VTB Bank (Russia'sforeign tradeVneshtorgbank). As a systemically important bank in Russia, VTB supports dual-currency settlement in Euro/Ruble in cross-border payments, which can avoid the risks of SWIFT system restrictions; the settlement process only takes 2-3 working days (compared to 5-7 days for traditional banks), and the exchange rate locking service can reduce exchange losses by 3%-5%. In 2023, we assisted 5 clients in completing re-export business to Russia, with a cumulative settlement amount exceeding USD 8 million, and a zero dispute case record.
IV. Import Compliance Advisory: Necessary Certifications and Service Boundaries
It must be specified: our company does not directly provide product certification services, but can provide a list of certifications and application guidance. Common certifications for importing British biscuits include:
BRC Food Certification(British Retail Consortium certification): Required by over 80% of British biscuit brands, proving that production complies with HACCP and GMP requirements;
Allergen Declaration: Ingredients such as nuts and dairy products must be clearly labeled;
Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food in China (FCP): Applied for by the overseas enterprise through the "Imported FoodCosmeticsImport and exportBusiness Registration System," our company can assist in verifying the validity of the registration number.
It is recommended that clients start the certification application process 6-8 months in advance to avoid customs clearance delays due to a lack of certification.
V. Full-Process Agency Operation Guide: 9 Major Steps from Consultation to Feedback
1. Client Consultation: Precise Needs Assessment
Initial communication needs to confirm: product ingredients (whether they contain dairy/meat), packaging specifications (pre-packaged or not), import volume (annual plan), target port of clearance (Shanghai/Guangzhou/Qingdao), and sales channels (supermarkets/e-commerce/wholesale).
2. Negotiation and Contract Signing: Risk Control of Terms
Focus on reviewing the trade terms of the contract (CIF is recommended, with the supplier bearing the transport insurance; avoid EXW, where the risk is assumed by the buyer), payment methods (30% T/T advance + 70% upon sight of the copy of the B/L, or at-sight L/C to reduce credit risk), and the quality claim period (90 days is recommended to cover the domestic sales cycle).
3. Order and Payment: Financial Security Assurance
Assist the client in confirming order details with the British merchant (such as batch number, production date), and handle foreign exchange payments through our partner banks (such as HSBC, Standard Chartered), providing payment slips and SWIFT messages to ensure compliance with foreign exchange regulations.
4. Production Supervision: Quality Control at the Source
A third party (such as SGS, Bureau Veritas) can be commissioned for a _factory inspection_, focusing on checking raw material storage (temperature and humidity), production processes (disinfection stages), and packaging labeling (whether it complies with Chinese labeling laws).
Provide a logistics schedule (including ETD/ETA/arrival notice), and complete the manifest declaration before arrival to avoid the 5,000 yuan/shipment penalty for "arrival before declaration."
6. Customs Compliance: HS Code and Inspection Response
Pre-classify the HS code (e.g., filled biscuits are 1905.3200), provide a pre-reviewed customs declaration form (including product name, specifications, country of origin), and provide supplementary materials such as quality assurance certificates and test reports during customs inspections.
7. Delivery and Distribution: Last-Mile Coverage
Cooperate with JD Logistics and SF Cold Chain to support ambient/refrigerated transport (if needed), provide proof of delivery with a signed delivery note, and clients can track the delivery status in real-time through the system.
8. Quality Assurance: Quick Response to Issues
Assist the client in sending samples for testing within 72 hours of arrival (partner labs: CTI, PONY), and if there is cargo damage/shortage, initiate a claim process within 24 hours (contacting the insurance company or supplier).
9. Summary and Feedback: A Data-driven Service Loop
Provide a "Full Import Report" (including cost breakdown, timeliness analysis, problem summary), assist the client in optimizing the next import plan, and establish a long-term service file after settling the final payment.
Choosing a professional foreign trade agent is essentially transferring complex documentation, logistics, and compliance risks to an experienced party. With over 5,000 food import operations accumulated over 20 years, our team uses professional capabilities to reduce operational costs for enterprises by 30% and shorten the import cycle by 20%, making us a reliable partner for importing British biscuits.
