1.1. Prohibited
Unless specified within the commodity list below, the Department is not aware of any edible non-prescribed goods (NPG) prohibited for export to China.
1.2 Conditions
China has new requirements for overseas food establishments that will take effect from 1 January 2022. These requirements will affect all food manufacturers, processors and storage facilities of food for export to China.
As advised in NPG Market Access Advices
MAA2021-07,
MAA 2021-14, MAA2021-15 and
MAA2021-18 the Department has information from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) regarding the new registration processes for food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China and product labelling requirements.
The deadline for registration of products under section A was 22 October 2021.
The Department will issue a MAA with further advice for establishments which have missed the deadline for registration.
A. Food processing and storage facilities handling products for export to China that require Departmental recommendation for registration with China
This applies to food processing facilities that carry out the final processing step for the following food categories, as well as storage facilities where product is subsequently handled prior to export to China.
Applicable food products: casings1, eggs and egg products2, bee products, edible fats and oils, stuffed wheaten food, edible grains, milled grain products and malt, fresh-kept/ preserved and dehydrated vegetables and dry beans, condiments and seasonings, nuts and seeds, dry fruits, unroasted coffee and cocoa beans, food for special dietary uses and health foods.
1 Inedible unprocessed intestines/green runners are not considered casings products and are therefore not required to be registered with GACC.
2 Australia does not have access for egg and egg products for export to China.
GACC has provided the Department with a
list of products (PDF 180 KB) that have a history of trade since 1 January 2017. The Department is required to provide a list of establishments that have been exporting these products for the purpose of registering them with GACC. If your facility is handling a product for export to China that is not captured in this list,
email
exportstandards@awe.gov.au by 22 October 2021.
Labelling requirements
GACC's new requirements specify that exported food must include on the inner and outer packaging either a GACC-issued registration number or a registration number issued by the exporting country (Departmental Establishment/ ER number). The Department understands that this also includes sales packaging. The Department will provide further advice on how facilities can meet this requirement following the issuing of Establishment/ ER Numbers after applications are processed.
The Department understands over-stickering is acceptable except for foods for special dietary uses and health foods.
Food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China that require self-registration with GACC
Food establishments and storage facilities for all foods that are not covered in above section or are prescribed meat, dairy or seafood products need to self-register or register through their importer or agent. The Department has been notified that self-registration should be done from 1 November 2021 using the GACC
Single window service system.
More information can be found on
MAA2021 - 18 – Section 3.
The Department will provide more information when available for industries and exporters.
Exporters are encouraged to work closely with their importers to continue to ensure compliance with China's requirements.
Government certification
EX188B 'certificate as to condition' can be issued for a range of edible non-prescribed goods.
Plant-based oils such as canola, olive and vegetable oil, require a phytosanitary certificate but do not require an EX188B.
Eligible plant products (excluding fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and prescribed grain) exported via China's cross-border e-commerce pathway, may require an EX188B, in addition to any phytosanitary certificate requirement.
Some processed plant products such as pancake mix require a phytosanitary certificate.
For further information refer to
Micor Plants - China.
1. Preconditions for market access
1.1 Import permit
Exporters are not required to obtain an import permit; however, they are encouraged to confirm the importing conditions through their importer or, if needed, the government authority of China.
1.2 Listing and audit
| Listing and audit procedure | Required? |
|---|
* China will implement new requirements from 1 January 2022 requiring registration of honey facilities. Further information on the new requirements is available in General Conditions for Edible Non-prescribed Goods (above) and in Market Access Advices
MAA2021-07,
MAA 2021-14, MAA2021-15 and
MAA2021-18
|
| Audit | Not required |
Listing – Department's Establishment Register (ER)
| Not required*
|
1.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited edible apiculture products for export to China.
2. Documentation requirements
2.1 Government certification
An EX188B 'certificate as to condition' has been accepted in the past for consignments of edible apiculture products exported to China. The Department can issue an unendorsed EX188B certificate for edible apiculture products. However, exporters are encouraged to confirm the importing conditions through their importer, or if needed the government authority of China.
2.2 Supporting documents and exporter declarations
It has been brought to the attention of the Department that Chinese border inspection officials are routinely testing Australian edible apiculture products for the presence of American foulbrood (AFB), European foulbrood (EFB), small hive beetle and Varroa destructor (varroa mite). Producers and freight forwarders should ensure that edible apiculture products do not contain these bee pests and diseases when exporting to China. Positive detections within the consignments will result in the rejection of the entire consignment. Exporters should work closely with importers when sending honey to China to ensure that they are able to meet these importing country requirements.
The Department's understanding is that the only method to screen for the presence of these pests and diseases is using
PCR testing prior to the export of honey to China.
Exporters are required to provide the following supporting documents when exporting edible apiculture product to China:
Again, exporters are encouraged to check these requirements with their importer prior to exporting.
3. Other requirements
Honey and other edible apiculture products must satisfy China's national food safety standard GB 14963–2011 issued by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China. An
unofficial draft translation (PDF 670 KB) of this standard provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service.
4. Exemptions granted by China
The Department is not aware of any exemptions being granted by China for edible apiculture products. Exporters are encouraged to confirm if any exemptions apply by contacting their importer or, if needed, the government authority of China.
