Five Customs Clearance Codes for Imported Craft Beer

When German Beer Barrels Encounter the Chinese Customs

Last month, I helped a Hangzhou client clear a batch of Belgian Trappist barrel beer—the malt aroma was overwhelming upon unboxing. As a 20-year veteranforeign trade, Id say importing beer is like dancing the tango—precision avoids missteps. Today, lets discuss the hidden nuances beyond customs forms.

I. Certifications: Is Your Beer Passport Complete?

Food Business License

• (Apply 30 days in advance)(On - site inspection is required for the first import)
• Imported Food Filing CertificateCertificate of Origin and Sanitary Certificate (Requires embassy certification)
• Filling Date Certificate (The steel stamp on the barrel body must be consistent with the document)
• In the expired beer incident seized at Qingdao Port last year, the problem lay in the declaration process. Special attention:

II. Three Invisible Hurdles in the Customs Clearance Process

The expired beer incident seized at Qingdao Port last year stemmed from declaration errors. Pay special attention to:

• HS Code selectionPre - review of Chinese labels (It is recommended to prepare sample copies in advance)
• Transportation temperature record (The temperature needs to be maintained at 0 - 4℃ throughout the journey)
• Cost comparison

Transportation method	Full - container cold chain	Applicable scenarios
￥3.5 - 4.2 / literMaritime Transportation	Bulk procurement	+ Bonded warehouse
Air Transportation￥8 - 12 / liter	Limited - edition products	I once witnessed a batch of IPA suffering from wine body oxidation due to a freezer failure, resulting in a direct loss of 600,000 yuan. Key control points:

III. The Race Against Time in the Transportation Link

Choose the shipping schedule to avoid the high - temperature season

• Double - layer insulation film + dry ice filling
• Wooden pallet fumigation treatment (ISPM15 standard)
• Recently, I helped a Shanghai craft beer bar with a German barrel - aged beer flash - sale event. 200 barrels were sold out in 3 days. Practical experience:

IV. Three Golden Rules for Market Landing

Establish a shelf - life countdown sales mechanism

• Establish a freshness countdown sales mechanism.
• Develop customized catering channels (Avoid conflicts with retail channels)
• Last year, a popular online brand had its goods returned due to wrong perceptions:

V. Avoid These Cognitive Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding 1: Craft beer can be exempt from inspection (Actually regulated as ordinary beer)

• Misconception 1: Craft beer is exempt from inspection (actually regulated as regular beer).
• Misunderstanding 3: Samples can be carried into the country at will (Commercial samples must be formally declared)
• Myth 3: Samples can be carried into the country at will (Commercial samples must be declared formally)

In 2020, I handled a batch of Dutch barrel beer detained by customs—the issue was the Chinese label printing best before as shelf life. This industry thrives on details. Ready to start your beer trade journey? Next time, we might discuss new customs policies over freshly canned beer.