Analysis of the whole process of cross-border logistics for China’s food exports

I. Preliminary preparation stage

1. Confirmation of product compliance
   Food safety standards: Confirm that the product meets the food safety standards of the importing country (such as EU EC No 178/2002, US FDA standards, etc.)

Label requirements: Check whether the packaging label meets the regulations of the target market (including ingredient list, allergens, nutritional information, etc.)

Special certification: Obtain necessary certification (such as HACCP, ISO22000, organic certification, halal certification, etc.)

2. Export qualification processing
   Food production enterprise filing (customs filing code)

Export food production enterprise health registration

Registration of import and export goods consignees and consignors

Application for certificate of origin (such as FORM E ASEAN certificate, China-Australia FTA certificate, etc.)

II. Order processing and packaging stage

1. Order confirmation and document preparation
   Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Sales Contract

Product test report

2. Professional packaging processing
   Fresh-keeping packaging: choose vacuum packaging, modified atmosphere packaging, etc. according to the characteristics of food

Temperature-controlled packaging: use insulated boxes + dry ice/ice bags for frozen food, and coolant for refrigerated food

Protective packaging: shockproof and moisture-proof treatment (especially fragile food)

Label compliance: bilingual labels, barcodes, production date, shelf life, etc.

III. Transportation method selection

1. Sea transportation (preferred for bulk goods)
   Ordinary containers: suitable for storable foods (dry goods, canned goods, etc.)

Refrigerated containers (adjustable from -30°C to +30°C): frozen products, dairy products, etc.

Ventilated containers: fresh fruit and vegetable transportation

Advantages: low cost (about 1/5-1/8 of air transportation), suitable for large quantities

2. Air transport (high-value perishable food)
   Ordinary air transport: 48-72 hours to reach most destinations

Cold chain air transport: temperature-controlled air transport (0-4°C or -18°C)

Advantages: fast timeliness (1-3 days), suitable for fresh seafood, high-end fruits, etc.

3. Railway transport (along the “Belt and Road”)

China-Europe Express: departing from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an and other places, 12-18 days to Europe

Constant temperature railway container service

Advantages: timeliness and cost are between sea and air transport

IV. Customs declaration and inspection and quarantine

1. Export customs declaration
   Prepare documents: contract, invoice, packing list, factory inspection list, health certificate, etc.

HS code classification (pay attention to the detailed classification of food categories)

Electronic declaration (through China’s international trade “single window”)

Customs inspection (sampling rate is about 3-5%)

2. Inspection and quarantine
   Daily supervision of food production enterprises for export (annual inspection)

Pre-export inspection and quarantine (detection of microorganisms, pesticide residues, additives, etc.)

Obtaining a “Health Certificate” or “Sanitation Certificate”

Additional testing of special foods (such as infant formula milk powder requires testing of all nutrients)

V. International transportation and transit

1. Monitoring of the transportation process
   Temperature recorder monitoring throughout the process (necessary for cold chain food)

GPS tracking of cargo location

Humidity-sensitive foods need to monitor humidity changes

2. Transit precautions
   Avoid multiple loading and unloading (especially fragile foods)

Check whether the temperature meets the standard during cold chain food transit

Dangerous foods (such as those containing alcohol) require special treatment

VI. Customs clearance in the country of destination

1. Import declaration
   Submit the import declaration form and related documents

Commonly required documents:

Certificate of origin

Sanitary certificate

Composition analysis table

Import license (required in some countries)

2. Destination country inspection
   FDA spot check (US market)

EU port control station inspection (EU market)

Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare monitoring inspection (Japan market)

Common test items: microorganisms, additives, heavy metals, genetically modified ingredients, etc.

3. Tax payment
   Tariffs (based on HS code and FTA preferential tax rate)

Value-added tax (such as about 20% VAT in the EU)

Special taxes and fees (such as sugar tax, fat tax, etc.)

VII. Terminal distribution

1. Warehousing management
   Bonded warehouse/overseas warehouse storage

Temperature-controlled warehouse classification (frozen, refrigerated, constant temperature)

Inventory management system docking

2. Last mile distribution
   Local cold chain distribution (refrigerated trucks, insulated boxes)

Priority distribution of foods with high timeliness requirements

Consumers can track logistics information

VIII. Precautions for special foods

1. Fresh agricultural products
   Quarantine treatment (such as fruits may need fumigation)

Quick customs clearance arrangements (shorten port stay time)

Oxygen supplementation during transportation (such as live seafood)

2. Infant formula

Formula registration (many countries require)

Strict labeling requirements (must indicate the applicable age group)

Additional nutrient testing

3. Health food
   Functional claim compliance review

Special ingredient restrictions (such as certain Chinese herbal medicines)

May require pre-market approval

IX. Risk management

1. Common risks
   Food spoilage due to temperature loss

Delays in customs clearance resulting in shortened shelf life

Return due to unqualified labels

Biosafety risks (such as pest contamination)

2. Risk response
   Purchase full freight insurance (especially including temperature control liability)

Backup customs clearance plan (such as finding a local agent in advance)

Carry out small batch test transportation in advance

Establish an emergency replenishment mechanism

X. Digital solutions

1. Logistics technology application
   Blockchain traceability system (such as Alibaba Food Trust)

IoT temperature monitoring equipment

Smart customs declaration system (automatically classify HS codes)

2. Data management
   Visual tracking of the entire process
   Compliance database (automatically updates food regulations of various countries)
   Intelligent early warning system (early warning of abnormal situations)
   Through the refined management of the above entire process, Chinese food export companies can ensure that products arrive in overseas markets in the best condition while meeting the strict food safety and logistics requirements of various countries. In actual operation, it is recommended to cooperate with professional cross-border food logistics service providers to reduce 30-50% of transportation risks.