The Aroma of New Year: The "International ID" of Dumplings and Tangyuan

During every Spring Festival, a "sweet battle" inevitably unfolds on dining tables across northern and southern China—northerners insist on dumplings while southerners favor tangyuan. As a veteran with 20 years in foreign trade, I've witnessed numerous cases where clients faced customs clearance issues due to these "New Year delicacies."

In 2018, I recall a client from Shandong exporting frozen dumplings to Canada. Initially declared as "flour products," the shipment was detained by local customs. Later, with our assistance in reclassification, substantial fines were avoided. According to the Explanatory Notes of the Harmonized System under heading 19.02:

• No Restriction on Shape: Whether filled or hollow
• No Restriction on Craftsmanship: Raw, cooked, or frozen products are all acceptable
• Unified Coding: All are classified into 1902.20

This case tells us that traditional food exports must "verify their identity." Last year, when we exported a certain brand of glutinous rice balls to Singapore, we prepared halal certification and a composition analysis table in advance, reducing customs clearance time by 40% compared to our peers.

Amid the sound of firecrackers, another year is bid farewell: The "safety code" of fireworks export.

Just before last year's Spring Festival, a Hunan fireworks factory owner was in a frantic panic—his $2 million worth of combination fireworks were detained at Dubai Port. The inspection revealed that the shipping labels lacked the UN number. This reminded me of what customs instructors often say: "Fireworks and firecrackers are special commodities dancing in shackles."

According to the provisions of Item 36.04, special attention should be paid to entertainment - use fireworks:

• 3604.10: Covering all products for entertainment purposes
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods: It is necessary to obtain certifications such as UN0381
• Composition Restrictions: The EU prohibits sulfur - containing formulas

One of our clients in Liuyang has performed exceptionally well. Their "electronic ignition safety fireworks" not only obtained CE certification but also innovatively adopted biodegradable casings, achieving a 65% increase in export volume last year.

Thousands of households bathed in the morning sun: The "cultural visa" of Spring Festival couplets' export.

Last month, a Malaysian client sent an urgent order: 50,000 sets of gold-stamped Spring Festival couplets were needed. Our customs team immediately activated the "Cultural Products Express Channel":

• 4911.99: Classification Code for Printed Matter
• Ink Certification: Ensure compliance with REACH regulations
• Cultural Review: Avoid sensitive words

There was a small episode: The original design of the customer contained a dragon pattern. Considering the characteristics of the Islamic market, we suggested changing it to an abstract auspicious cloud pattern. The final product was very popular. This confirms thatClassification of CustomsIt is not only a technical task but also a cultural bridge.

Red envelopes filled with blessings: The "transnational journey" of little lucky packets.

Last year, I helped a Shenzhen client handle a "mix-up incident": 10 boxes of red envelopes shipped to Vietnam were opened for inspection because they were declared as "paper products." In fact, according to tariff heading 48.19:

• 4819.40: The "home" of specialty paper products
• Material Certificate: It is necessary to indicate whether it contains fluorescent agents
• Pattern Authorization: IPs such as Disney need special filing

Now we always advise clients to print the phrase "NOT ACTUAL MONEY" on the inner pages of red envelopes to avoid being mistaken for vouchers in certain countries. One innovative client launched plantable seed-filled red envelopes, which not only meet environmental requirements but also became a hit product.

Customs Clearance Tips: The "Four Dos and Don'ts" for Exporting New Year Goods

Drawing from years of hands-on experience, here's a special "cheat sheet" for the Spring Festival:

• Do it in advance: Reserve at least 2 weeks for commodity inspection time
• Be professional.A third - party pre - classification report is necessary.
• Be compliant.Religious patterns require additional approval.
• Be innovative.Environmental protection certification is the key to emerging markets.

Remember four donts:

• Dont confuse the boundaries between food and handicrafts.
• Dont underestimate the transportation costs of dangerous goods.
• Dont ignore the potential risks of cultural differences.
• Dont challenge the classification authority of the customs.

Watching another batch of New Year goods set sail smoothly, it seems that I can already hear the laughter of overseas Chinese when they open red envelopes. The most charming part of this job is to make every link compliant and heart - warming when the Chinese New Year flavor crosses the ocean. After all, isnt the essence of trade to convey happiness?