WA food exporters are being urged to prepare for changes to Chinese import regulations that will increase the administrative burden of sending goods to China from January 1 next year.
The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) recently added a number of items to the required list of registered and controlled products that overseas food manufacturers, processors and storage facilities export to China.
This requirement, which comes into effect on January 1, 2022, significantly expands the scope of food producers that need to be registered by th
eir country’s competent authority, which in Australia is the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE).
This registration was previously only required for meat and meat products, aquatic products, dairy products, birds’ nest and birds’ nest products.
However, the revised regulation now adds:
- casings;
- bee products;
- eggs and egg products;
- edible fats and oils;
- stuffed wheaten food;
- edible grains;
- grain milling industrial products and malt;
- fresh and dehydrated vegetables and dry beans;
- seasonings;
- nuts and seeds;
- dry fruits;
- unroasted coffee beans and cocoa beans;
- food for special dietary uses; and
- health food.
The new regulations apply to all overseas food producers that export to China and are required to register with GACC directly or via an agent.
New food labelling requirements
GACC also announced new food labelling requirements for imported goods, stipulating that outer and inner packaging for all of these goods must contain the Chinese regulation number or the registration number approved by authorities.
These labels must be in clear and legible Chinese and English or just Chinese.
Labels for imported health food and food for special dietary uses must be printed in Chinese on the smallest packaging and may not be affixed.
DAWE is assessing the details of the revised regulation and will be consulting with affected stakeholders in due course.
For further information contact the department at [email protected].
For advice and help navigating the changes contact CCIWA’s International Trade and Investment Centre (ITIC) on (08) 9365 7620 or via [email protected].
