{"id":1000,"date":"2021-10-22T10:03:22","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T15:03:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arc-group.com\/china-new-regulations-food-importation-overseas-facility-registration\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T10:27:32","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T15:27:32","slug":"china-new-regulations-food-importation-overseas-facility-registration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arc-group.com\/china-new-regulations-food-importation-overseas-facility-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s New Regulations for Food Imports and Overseas Facility Registration"},"content":{"rendered":"

The GACC (General Administration of Customs of the People\u2019s Republic of China) has recently introduced two new decrees that, once implemented, would impose significant new requirements for foreign food companies that export to China. Both decrees will come into effect on 1 January 2022, replacing many previous regulations.<\/p>\n

On 12 April 2021, the General Administration of Customs of PRC (GACC) promulgated respectively the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food (Decree 248<\/a>) and the Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety (Decree 249<\/a>).<\/p>\n

In general, both regulations concern food importation in China. Specifically, Decree 248 is intended to standardize the process of registration at China\u2019s local authority (GACC) for overseas food manufacturers, processors, and storage facilities intending to export their products to China while Decree 249 covers a range of requirements on food imports including overseas facilities registration, record filing by importers and exporters, inspection, and product labeling.<\/p>\n

The main adjustment provided for foreign food exporters in Decree 248 is the expansion of the scope of imported products subject to registration at the GACC. Under the current legislation, only overseas manufacturers of meat products, aquatic products, dairy products, and edible bird\u2019s nests, are required to apply for registration. The new legislation, on the other hand, requires all food manufacturers, processors, and storage facilities, regardless of food category, to register with GACC.<\/p>\n

Decree 248 also stipulated two methods of registration procedures with GACC for different type of food producers and the high-risk foods. The list of high-risk foods includes 18 categories such as meat and meat products, aquatic products, fresh and dehydrated vegetables and dried beans, fried fruits, and more. Facilities that manufacture high-risk products are required to register with the GACC via their foreign competent authorities, while other food producers can register directly to GACC, either on their behalf or via a private agent.<\/p>\n

\"Chart<\/p>\n

Besides the noticeable changes in the extension of the scope of imported products and the registration methods, some other key adjustments from the two new policies include:<\/p>\n