What are the rules for mailing food abroad? Notes on Shipping for Cross border Sellers Selling Food

Many domestic food traders have turned their attention to food sales in overseas markets, most directly reflected in cross-border e-commerce platforms.

Whether its authentic Chinese specialty snacks or handmade healthy snacks, they have attracted the attention of overseas consumers. For first-time food sellers, how to safely and compliantly ship food abroad has become a significant challenge.

Some sellers often face the problem of packaging appearing to be qualified, but being stopped by customs during the shipping process; The logistics method was selected for half a day, but it was returned during transportation due to violations. This not only delays the buyers delivery time, but also affects the reputation of the store, and in severe cases, the store may be closed due to being judged as a false shipment.

Understanding the relevant regulations for mailing food abroad has become the first step for sellers to smoothly carry out their business. After all, different countries have different standards for imported food, but usually need to meet the following requirements:

1. Restrictions on food categories

Most countries have strict controls on imported food categories. Generally speaking, perishable foods, meat containing products, dairy products, etc. are difficult to pass through customs. On the contrary, dry goods, snacks, canned foods, non perishable tea leaves, seasonings, etc. are relatively easy to accept.

For example, food sent to the United States must comply with the relevant regulations of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and some unapproved additives or ingredients may result in return. Food sent to the EU must comply with the relevant requirements of EU food regulations, especially the transparency of food labels and ingredients.

The Importance of Packaging and Labeling

Regardless of which country the food is sent to, the integrity of food packaging and the standardization of labeling are crucial.

The packaging should be sealed properly to prevent leakage and contamination.

The label should clearly indicate the food ingredients, production date, shelf life, and origin information.

It is best to label information in English for ease of reading by foreign customs and buyers.

3. Prepare the necessary documents for customs clearance

When sending food abroad, customs clearance documents are also an essential part. The usual documents that need to be prepared include commercial invoices, which specify the type, quantity, and value of the food.

Certificate of origin, some countries need to know the production source of the food.

Health certificates or health quarantine certificates, especially for certain special foods, need to prove their safety.