I. Analysis of the Current Status and Policy Trends of French Red Wine Import Trade

Data from China Customs in 2023 shows that France holds the top position as the country of origin for imported wine in China with a 28.7% market share, of which fine red wines of AOC level and above account for over 60%. Behind this trend is the dual drive of deepening China-France trade agreements (e.g., the inclusion of more French wine geographical indications in the second list of the China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement) and the upgrading of domestic consumption. However, it should be noted that the EU has strengthened food traceability supervision in recent years (e.g., EC Regulation 178/2002), and China Customs has simultaneously upgraded the "dual random" inspection of imported foods (randomly selecting enterprises and inspection personnel), significantly raising the requirements for document compliance and logistics temperature control records.

II.Import Customs ClearanceThe Core: 12 Professional Key Points of Document Handling

Asforeign tradeAs an agent, document handling is the "lifeline" for ensuring customs clearance efficiency. The following are the necessary documents and key review points for importing French red wine:

1. Commercial Invoice: Must specify the wine grade (e.g., AOC, IGP), vintage, alcohol content (accurate to 0.1%), and be consistent with the contract amount to avoid customs questioning "under-declaration of price";
2. Packing List: Must list the number of bottles per case (standard 6 bottles/case or 12 bottles/case), single bottle capacity (mainly 750ml), total gross/net weight, and strictly match the "cargo description" on the bill of lading;
3. Bill of Lading: If it is?Ocean shipping?, a "Clean B/L" should be chosen, paying attention to the time difference between the "on-board date" and the?L/C?(L/C) validity period (usually allowing a 15-day buffer);
4. Certificate of Origin(CO): Must be issued by an official French institution (such as Bureau Veritas or ANSES), and the "cargo description" must include the geographical indication (e.g., "Appellation Bordeaux Contr?lée");
5. 衛(wèi)生證書（Sanitary Certificate）: Must state "Complies with China's GB 2758-2012 'National Food Safety Standard for Fermented Alcoholic Beverages and Their Preparations'," with a focus on checking the sulfite (SO?) content (≤250mg/L);
6. Analysis Certificate: Must cover key indicators such as residual sugar (dry type ≤4g/L), volatile acidity (≤1.2g/L as acetic acid), and the data must be consistent with the Chinese label;
7. Free Sale Certificate: Issued by the Chamber of Commerce in the region where the French producer is located, certifying that the product is legally circulated in the country of origin.

Agency advantages: We have established a "three-tier document review system"—a primary review of format (e.g., clarity of stamps), an intermediate review of logic (e.g., matching invoice amount with contract payment terms), and an advanced review of risks (e.g., whether the certificate of origin covers the latest agreement list). Historical data shows this can reduce the rate of document rejection by 85%.

III. Full-Chain Logistics Management: Temperature Control and Timeliness Guarantee from Bordeaux to Chinese Ports

French red wine is sensitive to transportation temperature (12-18℃) and shock. Logistics management must cover the entire chain from "port of origin - transport - port of destination":

• Port of Origin Operations: It is recommended to choose the Port of Bordeaux or Le Havre as the port of origin. An agent can coordinate local cold chain warehousing (such as Cool Logistics under CMA CGM) to complete "pre-cooling and palletizing" to ensure the temperature upon entering the container is ≤15℃;
• Transportation method: Prioritize 20-foot or 40-foot Reefer Containers, request a "real-time temperature monitoring report" (VDR, Vessel Data Recorder) from the shipping company, and purchase "Covering Risk of Reefer Cargo" insurance;
• Route Planning: The mainstream route is "Bordeaux - Gibraltar - Suez Canal - Singapore - Shanghai/Ningbo," with a voyage of about 35-40 days. Through long-term agreements with shipowners like MSC and CMA, an agent can secure space and obtain a 10%-15% discount on freight rates;
• Customs Clearance at the Port of Destination: Send the "Advance Manifest System" (AMS) data to customs 3 days in advance, and simultaneously complete the "single window" customs declaration (requires submission of HS code 2204210000, with a tariff of 14%, VAT of 13%, and consumption tax of 10%). With the "two-step declaration" model (summary declaration + full declaration), "inspection upon arrival, release within 24 hours" can be achieved under normal circumstances;
• Domestic Distribution: If the client needs to enter a bonded zone (such as Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone), we can assist with "Bonded Warehouse" procedures to defer payment of import taxes; for direct delivery to terminals, we coordinate with third-party cold chain logistics (such as JD Cold Chain, Rokin Logistics) to achieve "door-to-door" temperature-controlled transport (total temperature fluctuation ≤2℃).

: The comparison of agency fees of an auto parts enterprise from 2023 to 2025 shows that due to the involvement of ECER155 certification, the annual expenditure increased by 22%: In 2022, a client imported 500 cases of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé red wine. Due to a malfunction in the shipping company's temperature control system, 20 cases of wine were slightly oxidized. The agent's team immediately retrieved the VDR data to identify the responsible party and filed a claim with the insurance company through an "Average Adjustment." The client was ultimately compensated for 90% of the cargo value, avoiding a direct loss of over 800,000 yuan.

IV. Responding to Special Scenarios: VTB for Re-export Business to Russia?Foreign exchange settlement?Advantages

Some clients re-export through Russia (e.g., to the Central Asian market). In this case, the settlement advantage of VTB Bank (Vneshtorgbank) is significant:

• Local Currency Settlement Efficiency: VTB is a direct participant in CIPS (Cross-border Interbank Payment System), enabling "RMB-Ruble" settlement to be credited on a T+1 basis (traditional SWIFT routes take 3-5 days);
• Flexible Quotas: As a "comprehensive foreign trade service enterprise," an agent can consolidate multiple small orders to bypass the individual's annual foreign exchange purchase limit of $50,000;
• Exchange Rate Hedging: Provides "Forward Exchange Contract" tools to lock in the exchange rate for up to 6 months, avoiding the risk of Ruble fluctuations (in 2023, the Ruble to RMB fluctuation range was ±12%).

V. Client Advisory: Boundaries of Certification and Compliance

It must be specified: our company does not directly provide product certification services, but we can assist clients in completing the following compliance preparations:

• Registration of Overseas Food Production Enterprises for Import(GACC Announcement No. 141): Clients need to apply on their own through the "Internet + Customs" platform. The agent can review supporting materials provided by the enterprise, such as "production site floor plans" and "HACCP certification";
• Chinese label filing(GB 7718-2011, GB 2758-2012): The agent provides a "label review template," focusing on checking whether "ingredients," "warning statements (e.g., 'excessive drinking is harmful to health')," and "country of origin/domestic agent information" are standardized;
• Importer registration(CIQ registration): Clients need to complete the "registration of consignee for imported food" before the first import. The agent can guide them in filling out the "Application Form for Registration of Consignee of Imported Food" and assist in preparing materials such as "business license" and "food business license."

Conclusion: The Value of a Professional Agent Lies in Making Complex Processes "Invisible"

From the cellars of Bordeaux to the dining tables of Chinese consumers, importing French red wine involves over 30 types of documents, more than 15 logistics nodes, and 5 categories of compliance risks. As a foreign trade agent with 15 years of deep experience, we demonstrate the core value of a professional agent through our practical data of "99.6% zero-error rate in documentation" and "average customs clearance time shortened by 3 days"—transforming complex trade processes into a reliable "invisible service" for clients, allowing you to focus on wine selection, sales, and brand operation.