Table 1: Initial listing procedure – edible products
Initial listing procedure for edible products | Required?
|
---|
Export registration | Yes |
Establishment listing – processed fish products
| Yes* |
Establishment listing – live fish
| Yes* |
Chinese listing for exporters
| Yes |
*The department maintains this list and an individual application is not required. |
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:
- 1603 – Extracts and juices of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates
- 1604 – Prepared or preserved fish (whole or in pieces, but not minced) and caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs
- 1605 – Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved
- 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.