When craft beer meets customs regulations

Behind the 17.8% year-on-year growth in the total volume of imported beer in 2023 lies countless "pitfalls" that importers have stepped into. Last year, a certain...Cross-border E-commerceThe Belgian Trappist beer worth 2 million yuan on the platform was...Yeast ingredient not labeledStranded at the port for 47 days, this story constantly reminds us: beer imports are by no means a simple "pay-receive" model.

Seven Steps to Beer Import Customs Clearance

• Qualification confirmation stage
  • Importer Registration for Imported Food (Valid for 5 Years)
  • Alcoholic Beverage Business License (required in some regions)
  • Overseas Manufacturer Registration Number in China (Customs General Administration of China Registration)
• Document preparation stage
  • It is recommended to verify through the following methods:"dual-certificate verification" with the health certificate
  • Chinese Label Pre-Review (Font Sizes Are Also Meticulously Considered)
  • Special ingredient notes (e.g., German beer often contains β-glucan)
• On - site inspection stage
  • Application for Special Inspection Channel for Fragile Items
  • Different sampling ratios for aluminum cans and glass bottles
  • Alcohol concentration verification (error must not exceed ±0.5%)

The "Tuition Fees" We Paid Over the Years

• Classic Cases:An importer declared IPA beer as regular beer, resulting in...Bitterness value exceeds the standard.Requested for return shipment
• Label Trap:"Unsweetened" claims require test reports, costing a Japanese brand 130,000 yuan.
• Transportation accident:Craft beer without antifreeze treatment at -25°CMaritime TransportationThe breakage rate of bottles during transit reaches 27%.

The Hidden Value of Professional Representation

The most representative case from last year was assisting a craft beer bar with the expedited customs clearance of German beer:

• the ASEAN Single Window (ASW)Pre - classification rulingReduce the tariff from 20% to 10%.
• Coordinate the laboratoryPriority testingSave 9 working days
• ApplyConstant temperature container + air cushion filmDual protection

Become a savvy beer hunter

When selecting a partner, it is recommended to focus on evaluating:

• Whether possessingTesting of Hazardous Characteristics of Alcoholic BeveragesAbility
• Local customsAEO certificationSituation
• Handling EmergenciesEmergency Customs Clearance Plan

When you hold this "Pitfall Avoidance Guide," those headaches that plague your peers...HS Code Disputes,Label rectification,Transportation LossEvery challenge will become a stage to showcase professionalism. After all, ensuring consumers taste the first sip of freshness is the ultimate essence of the imported beer business.