How long does it take for imported food to clear customs through an agent? Does anyone know?

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I plan to start an imported food business and will hire an agent to help with customs clearance. I'd like to ask how long it generally takes for imported food customs clearance through an agent? Will it take too long and affect the freshness of the food? I'm not very familiar with this, and I'm worried that if the customs clearance time is not controlled well, it will lead to inventory backlog and increased costs. Do any friends who understand the market have any details to share about how long it generally takes?
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The time for imported food customs clearance through an agent is not fixed and is influenced by various factors. Under normal circumstances, if the documents are complete and the process is smooth, the declaration process can be completed in 1-3 business days. However, if sampling inspection is involved, the time will be extended, with the inspection period generally around 10-20 business days.

For example, for some pre-packaged foods, if the documentation is well prepared and no sampling inspection is required, customs clearance will be faster. For some fresh foods like fruits, if the customs inspection finds any non-compliance, such as excessive pesticide residues, further testing and handling will be required, and the customs clearance time will significantly increase.

In addition, choosing an experienced agent company is also crucial. Companies like Zhongmaoda are familiar with the customs clearance process and can effectively shorten the clearance time.

References: Shanghai Free Trade Zone Import Agency Customs Declaration, Do You Really Understand It?

If the documents are prepared very comprehensively and the customs clearance company operates proficiently, the basic process can generally be completed in 1-2 days. If there are holidays, the customs clearance progress will be delayed.

Sometimes, during peak periods of customs inspection, when there are many goods, customs clearance will be slow, possibly taking 3-5 days. If there are issues with the goods themselves, the time for rectification and processing is hard to say.

The customs clearance time varies for different types of food. Dry goods are relatively faster, while frozen foods may take longer due to more inspection requirements.

If the agent company communicates smoothly with customs and any issues can be resolved promptly, the customs clearance time can also be shortened, taking about 2-3 days.

If special certifications or permits are required, the time will definitely be extended, potentially taking a week or even longer.

There are also differences in customs clearance speed between ports. Some busy ports have longer queue times for customs clearance, which will cause delays.

If the food's label does not meet the specifications and requires re-labeling, this will also increase the customs clearance time.

If the customs clearance company is handling multiple orders simultaneously and lacks sufficient manpower, the efficiency of customs clearance will be affected, and the time may be extended.

User-submitted questions and answers reflect personal opinions, not the official stance of this website.

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