Want to act as an agent for imported canned goods, what exactly should I do?
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I've always been very interested in the imported food industry, and now I want to try acting as an agent for imported canned goods. However, I have absolutely no experience in this area and don't know where to start. I want to ask everyone what preparations are needed to act as an agent for imported canned goods, what are the procedures, and what issues should I pay attention to? I hope experienced friends can explain it to me in detail. Thank you!
Trade Expert Insights Answers
To act as an agent for imported canned goods, you must first clarify your business qualifications, requiring import and export rights, a food business license, and other relevant qualifications. If you do not have import and export rights, you can also entrust a qualified agency company like Zhongmaoda to operate.
Secondly, you need to select high-quality and reliable foreign suppliers, which can be found through channels such as food exhibitions and industry websites. Communicate product details, prices, and delivery times with suppliers.
Furthermore, before the goods arrive at the port, you must prepare customs clearance documents such as contracts, invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and sanitary certificates. After the goods arrive at the port, declare them to customs, pay customs duties, value-added tax, and other taxes, and they will be released after passing customs inspection.
Additionally, pay attention to the product's Chinese label, which must comply with domestic food label regulations, and complete design filing in advance. At the same time, monitor product quality standards to ensure compliance with domestic food safety standards.
When looking for suppliers, compare several, checking their reputation and supply stability. Additionally, understand the characteristics of canned goods from different origins; for example, some European countries have mature canning technology, and some Southeast Asian regions have fresh fruit canning ingredients. You can choose based on market demand.
During customs clearance, pay attention to avoiding errors in documents, such as certificate dates and product information. Any mistakes could lead to customs clearance delays and additional costs. If you are unfamiliar with customs clearance, using an agency company can save you a lot of trouble.
Financial aspects need to be planned in advance, including not only the cost of goods but also transportation fees, taxes, warehousing fees, etc. In addition, conduct market research to see which flavors and brands of canned goods are popular, to avoid blind purchasing.
Be meticulous when signing contracts with suppliers, clearly outlining quality requirements, return/exchange policies, and payment methods to protect your rights. Also, understand the preservation measures during transportation, especially for some perishable canned goods.
Domestic sales channels also need to be planned in advance, for example, by contacting supermarkets, distributors, e-commerce platforms, etc. With sales channels, canned goods can be sold quickly after arrival.
Pay attention to changes in domestic policies, such as adjustments to imported food inspection and quarantine standards, and adjust agency strategies in a timely manner to avoid import issues due to policy non-compliance.
Pay attention to the product's shelf life, reasonably arrange procurement volume and sales pace to prevent inventory accumulation leading to expired losses. At the same time, manage product storage well, storing according to requirements.
You can start by test-selling small quantities of different varieties of canned goods, collecting market feedback, and then increasing the procurement volume of popular products based on the feedback, which can reduce risks.