I. Current State and Market Opportunities of China–South Korea Chocolate Trade

In recent years, the dividends of the China–South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have continued to unfold; with their refined craftsmanship and innovative flavors, Korean chocolates have steadily expanded their share of China’s imported-food market. Customs data show that, from January to October 2023, the value of China’s chocolate and cocoa-product imports from South Korea rose 18.7 % year on year, concentrated mainly in dark chocolate (HS 1806.31), filled chocolate (HS 1806.32) and white chocolate (HS 1806.90). Against the backdrop of consumption upgrading, domestic demand for premium, low-sugar and functional chocolates has surged, creating vast room for Korean chocolate imports. At the same time, however, the complexity of the import process—such as document compliance and logistics timeliness—has placed higher demands on companies’ professional agency services.

II. Korean ChocolateImport Agent ServicesCore: Professional document processing capability

Documentation is the “l(fā)ifeblood” of import trade; its completeness and compliance directly affect customs-clearance efficiency and cost. As a professional agent, we offer three core strengths in handling the documentation for Korean chocolate imports:

1. Full documentation checklist control
   The core documents required for importing chocolate into Korea include: Commercial Invoice (must state the description of goods, unit price, total amount, and trade terms), Packing List (must specify the gross weight, net weight, and specifications of each carton),Maritime transportBill of Lading (B/L, must match?L/C?or matching T/T payment terms), officially issued by the South Korean authoritiesOrigin Certificate(Form E, which entitles the holder to FTA tariff preferences), a Health Certificate issued by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) (containing product composition and the registration information of the manufacturing enterprise), an Analysis Report (highlighting the cocoa-butter content and types of additives), and a Packing Declaration (confirming that the packaging is non-wood or has been fumigated).

2. Multi-dimensional review mechanism
   The agency team will conduct a “three-level” document check: 1. Consistency of information (e.g., the consignee on the B/L, the invoice title, and the contracting party must match); 2. Validity of official seals and stamps (e.g., the certificate of origin must carry the Korean Customs or chamber-of-commerce perforation seal); 3. Accuracy of translation (the Korean text of health certificates must be professionally rendered into standard Chinese to prevent critical errors such as translating “cocoa butter” as “cocoa-butter substitute”). In 2022, we helped a client rectify a missing “production batch number” on a health certificate, averting a US $7,500 demurrage charge.

3. Dynamic updates to response policies
   In response to the "Regulations on the Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import" implemented by China Customs in 2023, the agency team will promptly remind clients to verify whether their Korean suppliers have completed registration in China (via the "Imported FoodCosmeticsQuery the “Overseas Manufacturing Enterprise Information Service Platform”), add the registration number to the documents, and ensure “zero obstruction” during customs clearance.

3. End-to-End Logistics Service: Ensuring Efficiency from Korean Factories to Chinese Warehouses

Logistics is the “l(fā)ast mile” of import agency; through our “three-stage management,” we achieve end-to-end control from Korean factories to Chinese end-users.

1. Origin-port operations: precise booking and loading supervision
   Based on cargo characteristics (e.g., refrigerated chocolate requires a reefer container), volume (20' GP / 40' HC / LCL), and time-sensitivity (urgent orders can choose the Incheon–Qingdao route).Air freight, 48-hour delivery), we prioritize partnering with carriers such as SM Line and Hyundai Merchant Marine, locking in space and securing freight discounts of 10%–15%. At the same time, we assign professional loading supervisors to inspect packaging (anti-crush, moisture-proof markings), shipping marks (consistent with the B/L) and the integrity of the seal, preventing in-transit damage.

2. Destination-port customs clearance: the “golden 72 hours” for swift release
   Before the cargo arrives at the port, the agent team completes the advance entry of the electronic customs declaration (accurately declaring the HS code, country of origin, and trade terms CIF/FOB, etc.) and simultaneously transmits the “Single Window” data to Customs. After arrival, priority is given to the exchange of the delivery order (using a telex-release guarantee or the original B/L to obtain the D/O), followed by inspection (submitting the sanitary certificate, ingredient report, etc. to Customs) and customs declaration (paying duty plus 13 % VAT; under FTA, duty on some categories can drop to 0 %). For low-risk goods, a “two-step declaration” (summary declaration + full declaration) can be applied, cutting clearance time to within 48 hours—30 % faster than the industry average.

3. Domestic Delivery: Customized Distribution Solutions
   Based on customer requirements, we provide “door-to-door” delivery services: e-commerce clients enjoy direct delivery to Cainiao/JD warehouses (JIT on-demand delivery supported); offline distributors can be allocated to 15 nationwide pre-positioned warehouses (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc.), achieving “24-hour delivery after order placement”. For goods requiring temporary storage, our GSP-certified partner warehouses offer constant-temperature (18-22°C), moisture-proof storage to ensure chocolate quality remains stable.

IV. Trade Compliance and Risk Control: FromConvert foreign exchange into RMBKey Tips for Certification

1. Payment Methods and Foreign Exchange Settlement Optimization
   The agent can assist clients in selecting payment methods such as T/T (30% in advance + 70% on arrival) or L/C (suitable for first-time cooperation). For clients involved in re-export business to Russia, we work with Russiaforeign tradeThe bank (VTB) has established an efficient foreign-exchange settlement channel that increases the speed of RUB/CNY cross-border settlement by 50% and uses hedging tools to mitigate exchange-rate volatility (in 2023 it helped clients avoid a 3% FX loss).

2. Certification reminder that the customer must handle personally
   Although certification agency services are not provided, special attention is required: Korean chocolate manufacturers must complete the “Registration of Overseas Food Manufacturers for Import” with the General Administration of Customs of China (registration number format: “KR + 14 digits”). If functional claims (e.g., “l(fā)ow sugar,” “high cocoa”) are involved, an additional third-party test report (e.g., SGS, CTI) must be provided. Halal or Kosher certification must be issued by a local Korean certifying body; it is recommended to initiate the application 6–8 months in advance.

3. Common Compliance Risks and Responses

   • Label Problem: Chinese labels must comply with GB 7718 (General Rules for Pre-packaged Food Labels), specifying the country of origin, the domestic agent’s details, and an ingredient list in descending order by content. One client had a shipment rejected by customs because “cocoa butter substitute” was omitted, resulting in a loss of over 200,000 RMB.
   • Excessive ingredient levels: Focus on trans-fatty acids (≤0.3 g/100 g) and food additives (e.g., tartrazine is only permitted for use in coated chocolate). The agency team will remind clients to verify the ingredient report during the document-review stage to prevent “goods-arrived-but-documents-mismatch.”

V. A Step-by-Step Operational Guide to Importing Chocolate from South Korea

1. Client consultation and needs confirmation: Specify the import volume (500 kg/50 metric tons per month), quality requirements (e.g., cocoa content ≥ 70%), and scope of services (whether foreign-exchange payment on behalf is included and whether advance funding is needed), then sign the Agency Service Confirmation Letter.
2. Contract Negotiation and Review: Focus on reviewing quality clauses (e.g., “subject to the inspection results of China Customs”), delivery time (from Korean factory to Chinese port ≤ 30 days), and dispute resolution (designate the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission).
3. Order execution and production supervision: Verify the factory’s GMP qualification through a local Korean inspection agency (e.g., KTC), supervise the raw materials (country of origin of cocoa beans) and the production process (e.g., keeping temperature below 28 °C), and retain the production batch numbers for traceability.
4. Logistics and customs clearance follow-up: Real-time synchronization of sailing schedules (e.g., Busan–Shanghai, 5 days), arrival times, and the release notice will be pushed within 12 hours after customs clearance is completed.
5. Delivery and Quality Feedback: Complete sampling and testing within 72 hours after the goods arrive (commissioned to a laboratory recognized by the General Administration of Customs). In case of damage (e.g., melting, packaging breakage), assist the customer in filing a claim with the insurer (e.g., PICC), reducing the average payout cycle to 15 days.

Conclusion: The core of South Korean chocolate import agency lies in the trinity of “professional documentation + efficient logistics + compliance guidance.”Zhong Shen International Trade Co., Ltd.With 20 years of industry experience, we have successfully handled Korean chocolate import agency services for over 300 clients, reducing average customs clearance time to 5 days and keeping document error rates below 0.5%. Choose a professional agent to ensure every piece of Korean chocolate reaches Chinese consumers "safely, quickly, and compliantly."