Glossary

The words of the chocolate trade.

In short

Short, plain-English definitions of the chocolate, shipping and compliance terms importers meet when buying compound chocolate from China.

Last updated 19 October 2026

Chocolate

Compound chocolate: Chocolate made with vegetable fat instead of cocoa butter, usually with cocoa powder, sugar and milk ingredients. It costs less than cocoa-butter chocolate, does not need tempering and is widely used for value candy, coatings and novelty products.
Cocoa butter: The natural fat of the cocoa bean. It gives chocolate its melt-in-the-mouth texture and is one of the most expensive ingredients in chocolate.
Cocoa butter substitute (CBS): A vegetable fat, often based on palm kernel or coconut oil, used to replace cocoa butter completely in compound chocolate. CBS-based coatings do not need tempering.
Cocoa butter equivalent (CBE): A vegetable fat with a structure similar to cocoa butter that can be mixed with cocoa butter. In the EU, chocolate may contain up to 5% of certain CBEs, with a label statement.
Tempering: Controlled heating and cooling of cocoa-butter chocolate so it sets glossy and snaps cleanly. Compound chocolate made with CBS does not need tempering.
Fat bloom: A grey-white film or streaks on chocolate caused by fat moving to the surface, usually after temperature changes. It is safe to eat but looks old.
Sugar bloom: A dry, white, dusty surface on chocolate caused by moisture dissolving surface sugar, which then dries as crystals — often from condensation.
Panning: A coating process where centres such as malt balls or nuts are tumbled in rotating pans while chocolate is added in layers.
Moulding: Pouring chocolate into moulds to make shapes such as coins, bars or novelty figures.
Foil wrapping: Wrapping individual pieces, such as chocolate coins or balls, in thin coloured foil for protection and a gift-like look.

Chinese snack names

Mailisu: The Chinese name for chocolate-coated malt balls.
Xingqiu Bei (planet cup): A small sealed cup of chocolate with crispy biscuit balls, popular as a children's snack in China.
Jinsha Qiu: Gold-foil-wrapped round chocolate balls with a crispy texture.

Ordering and shipping

MOQ (minimum order quantity): The smallest quantity a factory will produce for one item, usually set per product and packaging.
Lead time: The time from order confirmation (and sample or artwork approval) to goods being ready to ship.
Private label / OEM: Products made by a manufacturer and sold under the buyer's own brand or packaging.
EXW (Ex Works): Incoterm where the seller makes goods available at its premises and the buyer handles everything after that, including export clearance.
FOB (Free On Board): Incoterm where the seller delivers goods on board the ship at the port of loading; the buyer pays sea freight, insurance and import costs.
CFR (Cost and Freight): Incoterm where the seller pays sea freight to the destination port; risk passes to the buyer once goods are on board.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): Incoterm like CFR, with the seller also buying minimum cargo insurance; risk passes to the buyer once goods are on board.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Incoterm where the seller delivers goods to the buyer's named place with import duties paid.
Reefer container: A refrigerated shipping container that keeps a set temperature, used for chocolate on hot routes and in hot seasons.
HS code 1806: The Harmonized System heading for chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, used by customs worldwide. The full code depends on the product and country.

Compliance

Halal certificate: A certificate from a recognised halal body confirming that a product meets halal requirements. Buyers should check which bodies their destination country accepts.
HACCP: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points: a food safety system that identifies and controls hazards in production.
ISO 22000: An international standard for food safety management systems.
FDA food facility registration: Registration with the US Food and Drug Administration required for facilities that make food for consumption in the United States.
FDA Prior Notice: Advance notice that must be given to the US FDA before each food shipment arrives in the United States.

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