Shipping CNY Goodies Overseas

Chinese New Year (CNY), or the Lunar New Year, is a time for joyous reunions, vibrant celebrations, and of course, the sharing of delicious festive snacks! From melt-in-your-mouth pineapple tarts to savoury bak kwa, these CNY goodies are sure to perk up anyone who receives them.

The gifting CNY hampers, gift boxes and gift baskets filled with these delectable treats are a traditional way of conveying your sincere wishes for good fortune and strengthening bonds with loved ones. But what happens when those loved ones are overseas? Learn all about sending popular CNY food items from Singapore to overseas locations so you can stay connected with family or friends abroad! Our guide will teach you all about shipping CNY goodies and hampers internationally, so you can spread festive cheer across the globe.

Understanding shipping restrictions for Chinese New Year snacks

Got questions like “Can I send bak kwa to Australia?” or “How to ship perishable food?”. Before you pack your CNY goodies and ship them out of Singapore, it’s important to be familiar with the destination country’s import regulations. Many countries have restrictions on receiving food from overseas locations. These can include limitations on ingredients, packaging or labelling requirements.

To help you get started, here are some international delivery requirements/restrictions for popular destinations.

Destination Country	Shipping Requirements / Restrictions
Australia	Meat products (like bak kwa), dairy, eggs, and most fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed. Permitted items like cookies, pastries, and snacks must be commercially packaged, contain no meat, and labeled with ingredients in English.¹ If you are looking to ship Chinese New Year goodies to Australia, note that all food products must comply with the following upon import: The waybill number must be specified on the declaration A Manufacturing Declaration must be provided, listing all ingredients amounting to 100% of the finished product The shipment might also undergo a physical inspection upon arrival
Canada	Fresh, dried, and cured meats (such as bak kwa) are not permitted and cannot be brought in by mail or courier. Cookies, pastries, and snacks are usually allowed, but must be commercially packaged and labeled in English and French, with no meat or other restricted ingredients.² All food imports into the country must comply with the following: Accurately declared with all ingredients clearly listed Hold a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license if the product is intended to be sold for commercial use.³
China	Meat products like bak kwa are allowed for personal use in limited quantities, but must pass inspection and quarantine by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).⁴ Commercially packaged cookies, pastries, snacks, and sweets are generally allowed but must have clear ingredient labels. They must not contain certain food colourings or additives deemed harmful to human health by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC).⁵ If you’re looking to ship CNY goodies or other perishable goods to China, take note that food items imported into the country are subject to a quarantine inspection on top of a customs check, which can add extra time to the shipping process.
Indonesia	All CNY hampers or gift boxes containing food must be accompanied by a Halal certificate from the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI). Commercially packaged cookies, pastries, snacks and sweets must follow the food additive regulations and labeling requirements outlined by the Government of Indonesia.⁶
Malaysia	All food products must comply with Malaysia's Food Act and Food Regulations with necessary certifications and permits from the Ministry of Health (MOH). If your products are marketed as halal, they must have certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). Depending on the type of food, you may need additional permits for import. For example, meat, poultry, milk, and egg products require approval from both DVS and JAKIM.⁷
United Kingdom	Meat products like bak kwa cannot be shipped into the UK. Pastries and baked goods containing common ingredients like eggs, flour, sugar, and coconut oil are generally allowed. However, vegetable products like arrowroot chips may require a phytosanitary certificate from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to declare them for personal use. ⁸
United States	To ship most perishable food items to the USA, they must comply with the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This includes registration with the FDA for all facilities involved in manufacturing, processing, or packing the food, unless it's for personal use. Prior notice to the FDA is also required before importing any food, with some exceptions for personal shipments and gifts. Meat products like bak kwa generally require prior approval from the FDA and must meet strict safety standards. Commercially packaged cookies, pastries, and snacks are usually allowed if they are clearly labeled with ingredients and meet other FDA requirements.⁹

Ensure all food items are commercially packaged, accurately labelled with ingredients, and comply with the specific import regulations of the destination country to avoid delays and rejections.

Popular CNY goodies and their shipping considerations

CNY hampers are a delightful way to share festive cheer, but their variety of contents can make international delivery tricky. Here's a breakdown of popular CNY snacks from Singapore for overseas friends and their shipping considerations:

Cookies and Biscuits: Pineapple tarts, Kuih Kapit, love letters, and other cookies are generally permissible if they are commercially packaged and labeled with ingredients. Some countries may have restrictions on certain fillings or ingredients.
Snacks: Spicy shrimp rolls, arrowroot chips, and other snacks are usually acceptable, but check for specific ingredients in the filling that may be restricted, such as meat or dairy.
Preserved Meats: Bak kwa is a beloved Chinese New Year goodie in Singapore, but its meat content often means it is a prohibited product. Check the regulations for your destination country carefully, as some, like Australia, prohibit it entirely.
Sweet Treats: Nian gao (sticky rice cake) is a perishable good, which is a restricted item for shipping in most countries. Always check your destination country to make sure.

Ship your CNY goodies from Singapore to the world with DHL Express

Shipping CNY goodies and hampers internationally is a wonderful way to connect with loved ones overseas and share the joy of the festive season. However, navigating international shipping regulations and ensuring your delicate treats arrive in perfect condition can be challenging. By understanding destination country restrictions and choosing a reliable courier like DHL Express, you can overcome these hurdles and deliver your heartfelt gifts with ease.

This Lunar New Year, bridge the distance and share the warmth of the season with DHL Express. Contact us today for all your CNY goodies and hamper shipping needs, and let our express delivery service deliver your gifts safely and on time to loved ones around the world.