​The department is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exported goods.

All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the department.  For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the department's Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@agriculture.gov.au. 

Exceptions to establishment registration

Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;

1. liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
2. dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
3. fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
4. fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
5. fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
6. fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;

Note

However, if China​​ requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the Department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.​

Establishment listing with China – processed fish products (non-viable, not live)

On 1 January 2022 Decree 248 - Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food, and Decree 249 - Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety entered into force. These decrees have changed the application process for establishments seeking new registration with GACC and for establishments which are registered with GACC and are applying to update their registration details.

All Australian food manufacturers, processors and storage establishments exporting fish and fish products (except for fish exported live) to China need to list their establishments in the CIFER system and be approved by the GACC.

For more information on registering with GACC or making changes to a GACC listing – see: China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)​

Non-viable eligible species list

China maintains a list of the non-viable fish species[NE1]  that are permitted to be imported into China from overseas countries.  Exporters are encouraged to work with their importer to confirm the import eligibility for their product.

Seafood products exempt from the non-viable eligible species list

The non-viable eligible species list is not applicable to products categorised under the following Harmonised System (HS) tariff codes:​

1. ​1603 – Extracts and juices of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
2. 1604 – Prepared or preserved fish (whole or in pieces, but not minced) and caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs
3. 1605 – Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved
4. 21039090 – Sauces and preparations containing more than 20% by weight, fish crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates.

If you are unsure of the Tariff code being applied to your product you should contact your importer or customs broker for further information.

Establishment listing with China – live fish

Live fish may be exported to China from any establishment currently registered with the department for fish, provided the importer holds the required import permits. The list of countries and live species eligible for export to China can be found here. From this website, open the file named “The list of countries or regions and varieties of aquatic animals that have been allowed.xlsx” and search for 澳大利亚 (Australia). Exporters are encouraged to work with their importer to confirm the import eligibility of their live product.

Export establishments that have not previously exported live seafood products to China should:

• work closely with their importers and consider sending small shipments initially to confirm successful clearance of consignments
• notify the Department immediately should they experience difficulties with clearance of consignments.

Listing for exporters​

This Chinese Government listing process is independent of other listing requirements.

GACC, in accordance with Announcement 55-2012, requires Australian exporters (including agents completing export documentation on behalf of exporters) and importers based in China to complete a web-based registration process. Company details must be registered through the Chinese government's e-platform.

The Department understands the registration process is administrative in nature and is the responsibility of relevant commercial parties. The registration form can be completed via the portal. When accessing this portal, at the base of the page, there are detailed instruction manuals for exporters and agents, as well as importers, under the section "User Manual". Whilst the manuals contain detailed step-by-step instructions as to how to complete the registration process, it is currently only available in Chinese and no other language. Exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to provide the required information.

The Department understands that the portal has the capacity to capture basic information of exporters, agents and importers, including name, address, contact details and the type of food commodity (via a checkbox option). The portal has the capacity to capture multiple importers for each exporter and does not require the input of consignment specific information. The portal also allows amendments to registered information to accommodate for changes in exporter/agent/importer details, as well as being able to indicate the status of registration applications.

​The Department has no knowledge of fish or fish products that are prohibited for import to the People's Republic of China noting there are eligible species listing requirements.

Sourcing of fish and fish products

China has no known additional requirements for sourcing of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles

China has no agreed requirements for the slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles.

Abalone

Chinese import and export inspection and quarantine agencies have enhanced their monitoring of paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) in abalone. The Chinese have a regulatory level for PST of 0.8mg/kg in all aquatic products.

Maximum acceptable limits for contaminants in fisheries products

Exporters need to ensure that all fisheries products intended for export to China are compliant with all maximum contaminant limits as specified under China's National Food Safety Standard, Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Food – GB 2762–2022, effective from 30 June 2023. Exporters should also be aware that Chinese customs authorities may sample and test product to verify compliance.

To assist exporters, table 3 outlining maximum levels for a number of heavy metals (extract from GB 2762–2022) has been provided A full translation of the GB 2762–2022 has also been provided via the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.​​

China has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

Microbiological limits for pathogens in ready to eat raw products

The National Food Safety Standard – processed aquatic products of animal origin (GB 10136-2015) specifies microbial limits for ready to eat raw aquatic animal products as provided in the table below.

You can also download a full translation of GB 10136-2015 (PDF 230 KB) from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.​

China residue standards

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in China or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between China and Australia.

Food business operators should note that:

These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the China standards and the Australian standards.

Any detection of a residue above the China MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.

Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.

​China has no known additional requirements for specific operations that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

China has no known additional requirements for premises and equipment that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.​

​China has no known additional requirements for the production of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​China has no known additional requirements for the production of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​China has no known additional requirements for the production of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​China has no known specific requirements for packaging, that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​For labelling requirements, please refer to Article 30 of Decree 249 (PDF 353 KB).

​China's requirements for use-by dates and/or shelf life restrictions do not differ from those required by the Export Control (fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​China has no known specific requirements for shipping marks (port marks).

​China has no known additional requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.

​Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.

​China may conduct port-of-entry checks. Exporters should check with their importer or agent.

Live finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates

For live aquaculture seafood, use FX46CA certificate.

For live wild caught seafood, use FX46C certificate.

The FX46CA certificate contains the following attestations;

This is to certify that:​

1. The above fishery products come from an establishment approved by the competent authority
2. The products were produced, packed, stored and transported under sanitary conditions, under the supervision of the competent authority
3. In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority, the products were not found to contain pathogenic bacteria, harmful or foreign substances or chemicals
4. Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals. In respect of farmed aquatic animals, these were examined prior to harvesting for processing or transport and found to be healthy
5. To the best of my knowledge, the products meet veterinary sanitary requirements and are fit for human consumption

The FX46C Certificate contains the following attestations;

Attestations

This is to certify that:

1. The above fishery products come from an establishment approved by the competent authority
2. The products were produced, packed, stored and transported under sanitary conditions, under the supervision of the competent authority
3. In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority, the products were not found to contain pathogenic bacteria, or harmful or foreign substances
4. Australia maintains a system that meets OIE requirements for the notification of diseases and epidemiological information in aquatic animals. In respect of farmed aquatic animals, these were examined prior to harvesting for processing or transport and found to be healthy
5. To the best of my knowledge, the products meet veterinary sanitary requirements and are fit for human consumption

The Chinese Government requires fishing zones to be included on the health certificates.​

For non-viable seafood products eligible for export to China, use FX46CN certificate.

For non-viable aquaculture origin product, consignments must be accompanied by certification which provides a full list of the aquaculture areas/ farm of origin of the products. If products originate from multiple sources, the details of the first three aquaculture areas/ farms will appear on the certificate with information on other source establishments automatically printed on an overflow certificate titled 'Aquaculture seafood exported from Australia to the People's Republic of China'.

For non-viable wild caught product, consignments must be accompanied by certification which provides a full list of the names and numbers of the harvest vessels of the products. If products originate from multiple vessels, the details of the first five vessels will appear on the certificate with information on other vessels automatically printed on an overflow certificate titled 'Wild caught seafood exported from Australia to the People's Republic of China'.

The following certification rules for Australian seafood (excluding live) exported to China are required in order to align with Chinese requirements:

Multiple product lines

The format of the FX46CN certificate does not allow for printing of multiple product lines. As a result, each product line on a request for permit (RFP) will generate a separate certificate and incur the standard certificate charge per document issued. For example, if there are three product lines on the RFP, exporters will be issued and charged for three separate government certificates. Previously, only one government certificate would have been generated and charged.

Mixed consignments

The format of the FX46CN certificate does not allow for a single product description/single line entry for mixed consignments, i.e. where different types of products are packed in the same box, such as in trade samples. As a result, the Department is unable to certify products which have more than one type of product in a single box. For example, if one box contains 2 kilograms of lobster and 3 kilograms of prawns, export certification cannot be issued for these products. In order to export these products, the lobsters and prawns would have to be packed in separate boxes, each requiring a separate government certificate.

Processing type

Exporters must ensure that the treatment type field includes one of the following descriptors for the consignment:

• refrigerated (CH)
• frozen (FR)
• dried (DR)
• smoked (SM)
• canned (CA).
  

The FX46CN certificate contains the following attestations;

Attestations

This is to certify that:

1. The above fishery products come from an establishment approved by the competent authority
2. The products were produced, packed, stored and transported under sanitary conditions, under the supervision of the competent authority
3. In accordance with the inspection system regulated by the competent authority, the products were not found to contain pathogenic bacteria, harmful or foreign substances or chemicals inspected and quarantined by competent authority and not found any pathogenic bacteria, harmful substances and foreign substances regulated in the People's Republic of China
4. To the best of my knowledge, the products meet veterinary sanitary requirements and are fit for human consumption
   

The Chinese Government requires Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) fishing zones to be included on the health certificates.

​There is no agreed certification for crocodile meat into China.

​The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.

Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the Department's non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.

​The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to China.