The Value of Agents in the Booming Import of Italian Cakes: Documentation and Logistics Are the Core Competitive Advantages

In recent years, the demand for Italian desserts among domestic consumers has continued to rise. From tiramisu to Italian macarons, Italian cakes have become a hot commodity in the imported food market due to their unique flavors and craftsmanship. However, the import process involves complex procedures such as document compliance, cold-chain logistics, and tariff calculation, highlighting the increasing value of professional agency services.Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.As a senior consultant with 20 years of experience in theExport Agent ServicesAs a professional institution in the field, with its core advantages of "zero errors in documents" and "full temperature control in logistics", it helps enterprises solve all the pain points in the entire supply chain from Italian factories to domestic warehouses.

Document processing: The "digital passport" for import customs clearance, the core competence of professional agents

The documentation system for importing Italian cakes is akin to a "precision engineering project," which directly impacts customs clearance efficiency and compliance. According to the requirements of the Chinese customs and inspection and quarantine authorities, the core documents include:

• Commercial Invoice: It is necessary to ensure that the description of the goods, the unit price, and the total amount are clear and strictly in accordance with the contract terms.
• Packing List: Output: Specify the weight and specifications of each box and match them with the actual goods to avoid "mismatch between the order and the actual goods".
• Origin Certificate（C/O或EUR.1）: It is issued by an official Italian institution and serves as a crucial document for enjoying the "Most-Favored-Nation tariff";
• Health Certificate: It must be issued by the Italian Veterinary Service (MIPAAF) or an authorized agency, certifying that the product complies with China's "Regulations on the Registration and Management of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import".
• Bill of Lading:Maritime transport/Air freightFor the property rights certificates of the goods, the agent needs to track the acquisition of "clean bills of lading" throughout the process to avoid disputes over cargo ownership.

  The value of professional agency lies in: pre-reviewing the logic of the documents (such as the invoice amount and the quantity declared on the customs declaration form), ensuring that the documents meet the requirements of the customs clearance process, and assisting in the smooth completion of the customs clearance process.?L/C?Ensure consistency and coordination in rectifying issues with overseas suppliers (e.g., missing or incomplete stamps on certificates of origin), and align with domestic customs pre-entry requirements (accurate HS code classification down to the 10-digit level). This guarantees "document-declaration consistency and document-goods consistency," reducing customs clearance time from the industry average of 7-10 days to 3-5 days.
  

Logistics Management: Cold-chain transportation is a lifeline, and professional agents provide temperature control assurance

Italian cakes often contain perishable ingredients such as cream and chocolate, which require temperature control throughout the logistics process (usually at 2-8°C). Agents need to accurately match the transportation solutions accordingly.

• Selection of transportation methods: For small batches of high-value goods (such as premium cakes), air freight (DHL, TIR cold chain dedicated aircraft) is preferred, with a delivery time of 3-5 days. For large quantities, sea freight refrigerated containers can be used (requiring the selection of shipping companies with FROZEN/REEFER qualifications, such as MSC and CMA CGM), with temperature monitoring data recorded throughout the entire process.
• Booking a shipping space and purchasing insurance: The agent needs to lock in the freezer warehouse space 15 days in advance to avoid the situation of "hard-to-find freezer space" during the peak season. At the same time, they should purchase "All Risks for Refrigerated Cargo" insurance to cover the risk of cargo spoilage due to compressor failure or delays during transportation.
• Port of destination document exchange and delivery: After arriving at the port, complete the document exchange within 24 hours and coordinate with the customs for "priority inspection". For domestic delivery, choose a cold chain fleet with GSP certification to ensure seamless temperature control during the "last mile" of transportation.

  Through long-term cooperation with global logistics giants such as DHL and Maersk, Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd. has established a "real-time temperature data transmission + abnormal warning" system. In the past three years, the cargo damage and spoilage rate of Italian cake imports handled by the company has been less than 0.3% (the industry average is 1.2%).
  

Compliance Essentials in the Context of International Trade: Certification Requires Advance Planning; Agents Don't Handle Everything, but They Must Provide Reminders

At present, Sino-European food trade is governed by the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement and China's "Standards for the Use of Food Additives in Imported Food" (GB 2760). When importing Italian cakes, the following points need to be noted:

• Label Compliance: Chinese labels must indicate "Country of origin (Italy)", "Information on domestic distributors", and "Ingredients list (including additive names and international codes)". The agent can assist in reviewing the label samples, but the final printing must be done by the overseas manufacturer.
• SPS measures: According to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Italian exporters must be registered on the "List of Overseas Food Production Enterprises Registered by China Customs" (which can be checked on the "Internet + Customs" platform). The agent will verify the enterprise's qualifications before signing the contract, but the registration application must be submitted by the overseas party themselves.
• Tariffs and value - added tax: In 2024, the HS code for Italian cakes is mostly 1905.90.0090 (other bread and pastries), with a Most-Favored-Nation tariff of 15% and a value-added tax of 13% (Note: RCEP does not apply to Italy). Agents can provide pre-classification services to avoid the risk of high tariffs.

  Special note: The agent does not directly handle product certifications (such as BRC food certification and IFS International Food Standard), but will inform clients in advance about the certification documents (such as HACCP system certificates) that must be provided by overseas suppliers, and assist in formulating a "certification preparation schedule".
  

Expansion of business with Russia: VTBConvert foreign exchange into RMBAdvantages: Solving Cross-Border Payment Pain Points

Some enterprises, while importing Italian cakes, may also be involved in exporting to Russia or dealing with multi-currency settlement needs. Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd. and Russiaforeign tradeThe bank (VTB) has established a strategic partnership and enjoys three major advantages in the foreign exchange settlement process:

• Settlement efficiency: VTB has direct clearing channels with major Chinese banks (such as ICBC and BOC), and the payment time for T/T has been shortened to 1-2 working days (compared to the usual 3-5 days).
• Exchange Rate Lock - in: We provide "forward foreign exchange settlement" services, allowing enterprises to lock in the exchange rate at the time of signing the contract and avoid the risk of fluctuations in the ruble/euro exchange rate (for example, the recent fluctuation range of the euro against the RMB has reached 3%).
• Compliance guarantee: VTB is familiar with the regulatory redlines of "grey customs clearance" in Sino-Russian trade and can assist in reviewing the transaction background (such as contracts, logistics documents, and customs declarations ensuring "three flows consistent"), thus helping to avoid being listed on the "sensitive list".

Full-process agency services: a standardized 9-step process from consultation to delivery

Zhongshen International Trade will bring Italian cakesImport Agent ServicesBreak it down into 9 major steps to ensure that every aspect is manageable:

1. Client Consultation: Understand the product ingredients (whether they contain alcohol/nuts), the import volume (average monthly 500kg/5 tons), and the customs clearance ports (Shanghai/Guangzhou/Tianjin), and assess the need for a cold chain system.
2. Negotiation and Contract Signing: Review the trade terms in the contract (recommended CIF, with the overseas party responsible for transportation and insurance) and the payment method (30% prepayment + 70% upon receipt of the bill of lading copy, to reduce risks).
3. Orders & Payment: Assist in opening a letter of credit (L/C) or arranging T/T, complete cross-border payments through VTB, and simultaneously register with the customs as an "importer of imported food";
4. Production supervision: If requested by the client, we can entrust third-party inspection agencies such as SGS to verify the raw materials (e.g., using Italian AOC-certified cheese) and the shelf life (which must be ≥6 months).
5. Logistics Management: Choose air/sea freight refrigerated containers based on the cargo volume, and monitor the temperature data throughout the entire process (automatically uploaded to the agent system every two hours);
6. Customs Compliance: Pre-classify the HS code, calculate the comprehensive tax rate (tariff + VAT = 29.95%), submit the "Import Food Consignee Declaration for Inspection", and cooperate with the customs inspection (such as sending samples for microbiological indicators inspection);
7. Delivery and Distribution: After customs clearance, we will arrange domestic cold chain delivery within 24 hours and support "warehouse and delivery integration" (with the option to store goods in Zhong Shen's GSP cold storage facility).
8. Quality Assurance: Assist clients in handling quality issues after customs clearance (such as missing labels on products), and coordinate with overseas parties to issue replacements or provide compensation;
9. Summary Feedback: Provide the "Import Cost Analysis Report" (including the proportion of logistics fees, tariffs, and agency fees) and the "Time Efficiency Evaluation Form", and optimize the process for the next order.

Risk Warning: Common Questions and Agent's Response Strategies

Importing Italian cakes requires vigilance against three major risks:

• Discrepancy between documents(If the sanitary certificate does not state “in compliance with Chinese standards”): The agent will complete a pre-arrival document review three days before the cargo arrives; any issues found will be immediately referred to the overseas party for correction.
• Cold chain interruption(If the reefer container malfunctions during ocean transit): The “refrigerated cargo insurance” taken out by the agent covers such losses, while GPS + temperature sensors provide second-level alerts.
• Customs inspection delays(Temporarily detained due to non-compliance with GB 2760): The agent communicates with the customs in advance about the product characteristics (such as the use of natural pigments), provides the "basis for the use of additives" (such as the FEMA GRAS certification), and reduces the inspection rate.

Conclusion: Importing Italian cakes is not just a "flavor business," but also a "compliance-driven enterprise." Choosing a professional agent not only saves over 30% of the operational time, but also helps avoid hidden costs like customs clearance failures and product spoilage. Backed by 20 years of foreign trade experience, Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd. offers professional services with "zero document errors" and "full temperature-controlled logistics," helping you effortlessly penetrate the Chinese market for Italian cakes.