Chia Seed Import Customs Declaration Process: A step-by-step guide to ensure smooth and compliant import of chia seeds into China, tailored for international traders and partners.
- The client signs an import contract with the foreign supplier, clarifying all contract terms (e.g., quantity, price, delivery terms, and quality standards);
- The client consults with our company and signs an agency agreement for chia seed import services;
- The consignee completes the Import Food Consignee Record-filing in advance (our company can provide agency services for this step if needed);
- The foreign supplier ships the goods and prepares in advance the documents required for import inspection and customs declaration, including contract, packing list, invoice, certificate of origin, and health certificate;
- Upon the goods’ arrival at the port: exchange the bill of lading for the delivery order, conduct pre-recording of customs declaration information, and submit the inspection application to the CIQ (General Administration of Customs, Inspection and Quarantine);
- Submit the customs declaration documents, wait for the customs to issue the tax bill, verify the tax amount, pay the required taxes, and obtain customs clearance approval;
- After customs clearance, the CIQ conducts random sampling and inspection of the chia seeds. Once the inspection is passed, the Health Certificate is issued (a mandatory document for market circulation in China).
- Certificate of Origin (officially issued by the exporting country/region);
- Phytosanitary Certificate (must include fumigation clauses, if applicable to the packaging or origin country’s requirements);
- Packing List;
- Proforma Invoice;
- Commercial Contract;
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB), depending on the mode of transportation;
- Health Certificate (officially issued by the exporting country’s food safety authority, confirming the goods meet China’s food safety standards);
- Packaging Information of Chia Seeds (e.g., packaging material type, net weight per package, total number of packages);
- Original Product Label Samples (with official Chinese translation provided by the domestic consignee or our company).
- Pre-review and record-filing of Chinese labels: 1 working day;
- Port clearance and cargo pickup (after goods arrival): 2 working days;
- Food quality inspection (conducted by CIQ): 3-5 working days;
- Issuance of Inspection and Health Certificate (after passing inspection): 1 working day.
Note: The above timeline is for reference only. Actual duration may vary slightly due to factors such as port congestion, document completeness, and special inspection requirements.