How to Export Russian Food as an Agent? These 5 Key Issues Must Be Mastered!

What special qualifications are required for exporting Russian food?

According to the latest 2025 trade policies, exporting Russian food as an agent must meet the requirements of both China and Russia:

• Basic Qualifications:
  • import and exportBusiness license (requires registration with customs)
  • Food distribution license (business category must include imported food)
  • Registration of overseas production facilities (GACC registration with Chinas General Administration of Customs)
• Special certifications:
  • Russian EAC certification (TR CU 021/2011 Food Safety Technical Regulations)
  • Chinese GB standard test report (dairy products require additional health certificates)
  • Halal food must obtain certification from the Russian Islamic Committee

Which Russian food products have a competitive advantage in the Chinese market?

According to customs data for the first quarter of 2025, the following categories showed significant year-on-year growth in imports:

• Dairy Products:Whole milk powder (+23%), cheese (+18%)
• Grains and oils:Sunflower seed oil (+31%), buckwheat (+27%)
• Confectionery:Chocolate (+15%), honey products (+22%)
• Specialty foods:Caviar (+40%), chaga mushroom (+35%)

Note: Meat products are still restricted by the 2019 African swine fever ban, with exports only allowed from 6 factories that comply with the China-Russia bilateral agreement.

How to choose the optimal logistics solution?

Comparison of mainstream transportation methods for Russian food exports in 2025:

• Rail transport (58% share):
  • China-Europe Railway ExpressTransit time: 14-18 days (Moscow→Xian)
  • Cost: Approximately $2,800/40HQ (including temperature control equipment)
• Maritime Transportation+Land transport (32% share):
  • Saint Petersburg→Qingdao Port: 35-40 days
  • Cost: Approximately $1,950/40HQ
• Key points of cold chain transportation:
  • Temperature recorders must comply with GOST R 8.624-2025 standard
  • Frozen food must maintain below -18°C throughout transportation

What are the risks in trade settlement? How to mitigate them?

Affected by international situation, it is recommended to adopt:

• RMB settlement (share increased to 65%):
  • Direct clearing through CIPS system
  • Enjoy 0.2% cross-border payment subsidy
• L/COperation points:
  • Require Russian banks to provide confirmed L/C with verifiable SWIFT CODE
  • Recommended to choose Bank of China Moscow Branch as intermediary bank
• Risk Warning:
  • Activate hedging mechanism when RUB exchange rate fluctuates over 3% in a single day
  • Advance payment ratio should not exceed 30%

How to deal with potential market access barriers?

Three types of risks requiring special attention in 2025:

• Technical Trade Barriers:
  • Chinas newly implemented nutrition labeling regulations (GB 28050-2025)
  • Russian agricultural export traceability system (requires GLN global standard integration)
• Logistics contingency response:
  • China-Russia border port congestion early warning system (subscription available from Customs service)
  • Recommended to purchase transport delay insurance (premium about 0.15% of cargo value)
• Compliance recommendations:
  • Commission third-party compliance audit (cost approximately $2,500/instance)
  • Establish quality traceability blockchain (recommended to use AntChain cross-border traceability solution)

According to the latest 2025 data, China-Russia food trade volume is expected to exceed $42 billion, but the key to success lies in choosing professional agencies. Priority should be given to service providers with: Customs AEO Advanced Certification, in-house Russian customs clearance team, experience handling at least 200 batches of food cases, and ability to provide full-process digital tracking system.