For Chinese enterprises engaged in food importation and overseas food companies seeking to enter the Chinese market, ensuring the safety of imported food is the foremost responsibility.
This article provides operation-oriented guidance for food enterprises, offering an in-depth analysis of the three-tier governance framework established by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)—namely, "strict pre-import food safety system assessment, rigorous inspection and quarantine at the point of entry, and robust post-import supervision"—with the goal of facilitating the smooth entry of food products and ingredients into the Chinese market.
During import customs clearance, imported food will go through 5 core stages:
Compliance Assessment: Systematic evaluation from exporting country's food safety system to enterprise qualifications.
Designated Ports and Inspection Facilities: High-risk foods such as meat and aquatic products must go through "dedicated channels."
On-site Inspection at Ports of Entry: 7 key inspection points to be noted.
Chinese Label Management: Prepackaged food must comply with label requirements.
Disposal of Non-compliant Products: Safety-related violations will result in direct return.
How Is Compliance Assessment Conducted for Imported Food?
System Overview
In accordance with the laws and administrative regulations governing the inspection of import and export commodities, China Customs conducts compliance assessment for imported food.
Scope of Supervision
Compliance assessment for imported food covers the entire process, specifically including:
1. Pre-Import Controls
Assessment and review of the food safety management system of the exporting country (region)
Filing of importers and exporters, and compliance assurance
Quarantine approval for imported food of animal and plant origin
2. Verification at the Point of Entry
Inspection of accompanying official certificates
Documentary review
On-site inspection at ports of entry
Supervisory sampling and testing
3. Post-Import Tracking
Inspection of import and sales records
Compliance Determination: Food products that are determined to be compliant through the comprehensive assessment by China Customs shall be permitted for import.
High-Risk Imported Food: Designated Ports and Inspection Facilities
System Overview
Based on risk management principles, high-risk imported food is subject to entry through designated ports and inspection at designated facilities (the list of which is dynamically published by GACC).
Scope of Supervision
Applicable Products: Imported meat, chilled/fresh aquatic products, grains (excluding rice), etc.
Supervision at Designated Inspection Facilities: Based on risk assessment, GACC may require certain foods to be inspected, examined, and quarantined at designated facilities.
Supervision at Designated or Approved Storage Facilities: Upon arrival at the port of entry, imported food shall be stored in facilities designated or approved by GACC. Any movement of the goods shall be subject to GACC authorization and shall be carried out with necessary safety protection measures as required by GACC.
Supervision of Bulk Imported Food: Bulk imported food shall be inspected at the port of discharge in accordance with GACC requirements.
REACH24H Reminder
The list of designated ports and inspection facilities is dynamically updated by GACC. Before each shipment, enterprises should always verify the latest designations on the official GACC website or through their customs broker to avoid clearance delays.
On-Site Inspection at Ports of Entry
System Overview
Based on risk management needs, China Customs initiates on-site inspection at ports of entry, which is carried out in accordance with Chinese laws and national food safety standards.
Scope of Supervision
Based on regulatory needs, China Customs conducts on-site inspection of imported food. The on-site inspection includes but is not limited to the following:
Whether the means of transport and storage facilities comply with safety and hygiene requirements;
Whether the container number, seal number, markings on inner and outer packaging, and the actual condition of the goods are consistent with the declared information and accompanying documents;
Whether food of animal and plant origin, packaging materials, and padding materials present any of the circumstances specified in Article 22 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine;
Whether the inner and outer packaging comply with national food safety standards and whether there is any contamination, damage, moisture, or penetration;
Whether the labels, markings, and instructions on the inner and outer packaging comply with the requirements of laws, administrative regulations, national food safety standards, and GACC provisions;
Whether the organoleptic properties of the food comply with the expected characteristics of such food;
For frozen and chilled food: whether the freshness and core temperature meet the requirements; whether there are pathological changes; whether the frozen/chilled storage ambient temperature meets the relevant standards; whether the cold chain temperature control equipment and facilities are operating properly; whether the temperature records meet the requirements; and where necessary, a cooking test may be conducted.
Chinese Label Management
System Overview
The packaging, labels, and markings of imported food must comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and national food safety standards. For food that requires instruction manuals in accordance with the law, Chinese-language instructions must be provided.
Labels and instruction manuals shall concurrently satisfy the following requirements:
Comply with Chinese laws, administrative regulations, and national food safety standards;
Clearly indicate the country/region of origin of the food;
Specify the name, address, and contact information of the domestic agent.
Prepackaged food falling under any of the following circumstances shall not be permitted for import:
Absence of Chinese label or Chinese instruction manual;
Labels/instruction manuals fail to comply with the above requirements.
Scope of Supervision
Label Requirements by Product Category (Essential for Overseas Production Enterprises):
Fresh and Frozen Meat:
For imported fresh and frozen meat products, the inner and outer packaging shall bear legible, durable, and easily identifiable markings in both Chinese and English, or in Chinese and the official language(s) of the exporting country (region).
The following information shall be indicated:
Country/region of origin, product name, registration number of the production enterprise, and production batch number;
The outer packaging shall additionally indicate, in Chinese, the specifications, place of origin (specific to state/province/city), destination, production date, shelf life, storage temperature, and other relevant details. The destination must be marked as "the People's Republic of China," and the official inspection and quarantine mark of the exporting country (region) shall be affixed.
Aquatic Products:
For imported aquatic products, the inner and outer packaging shall bear legible, durable, and easily identifiable markings in both Chinese and English, or in Chinese and the official language(s) of the exporting country (region).
The following information shall be indicated:
Common name and scientific name, specifications, production date, batch number, shelf life and storage conditions, production method (marine capture, freshwater capture, aquaculture);
Production area (marine fishing grounds, freshwater fishing country/region, or country/region of aquaculture);
Names, registration numbers, and addresses (specific to state/province/city) of all production and processing enterprises involved (including fishing vessels, factory vessels, transport vessels, and independent cold storage facilities);
The destination must be marked as "the People's Republic of China."
Health Foods and Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP):
Chinese labels must be printed directly on the smallest sales packaging unit (affixing supplementary labels is not permitted).
Special Marking Requirements: Shall be implemented in accordance with the applicable provisions of the relevant product-specific regulations.
General Prepackaged Foods:
Shall comply with national standards including GB 7718 (General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods) and GB 28050 (General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Prepackaged Foods).
How Are Non-Compliant Imported Foods Disposed of?
System Overview
In accordance with international rules and Chinese laws, China Customs conducts compliance assessment for imported food.
Regulatory Requirements
Where imported food is determined to be non-compliant through the customs compliance assessment, China Customs shall issue a certificate of non-compliance;
Where the non-compliance involves items related to safety, health, or environmental protection, China Customs shall notify the food importer in writing and order the destruction or return of the goods;
Where the non-compliance involves other items, the goods may be imported only after technical treatment has been carried out and the goods are brought into compliance with the compliance assessment requirements.
Where the relevant imported food cannot undergo technical treatment within the prescribed time limit, or remains non-compliant even after technical treatment, China Customs shall order the food importer to destroy or return the goods.
Action Recommendations for Enterprises
Pre-import Verification:
For high-risk products, confirm the qualifications of designated ports of entry.
Have Chinese labels pre-reviewed in accordance with GB 7718.
On-site Preparation:
For cold-chain foods, ensure real‑time temperature records are ready.
Verify that the actual goods are consistent with the declared information and accompanying documents.
Risk Prevention and Control:
Regularly review GACC alerts and notifications concerning non-compliant imported foods.
Regulatory Developments
GACC Revokes Certain Normative Documents on Imported Food
On June 19, 2025, GACC issued a decision to revoke certain normative documents concerning imported food. The decision has taken effect on the date of issuance.
| Number | List of Normative Documents Revoked |
| 1 | Announcement No. 9 of 2011 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Announcement on Strengthening the Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Salmon) |
| 2 | Announcement No. 41 of 2012 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Announcement on the Implementation Date of New Standards for Imported Food) |
| 3 | Announcement No. 59 of 2012 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Announcement on Permitting the Import of Indian Rice) |
| 4 | Announcement No. 91 of 2015 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Announcement on Further Regulating the Issuance of Inspection and Quarantine Certificates for Imported Food and Cosmetics) |
| 5 | Announcement No. 98 of 2015 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (Announcement on the Launch of the Upgraded Filing System for Importers and Exporters of Imported Food) |
| 6 | Announcement No. 59 of 2021 of the General Administration of Customs of China (Announcement on the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Imported Farmed Aquatic Products from Brunei) |
REACH24H Reminder
GACC's list of designated ports and inspection facilities is updated dynamically. Enterprises should regularly check the official GACC portal for the latest designations before each import to avoid clearance delays. For assistance with compliance verification and customs clearance strategy, contact our food compliance team.
Need Professional Support?
Our regulatory experts are ready to help you navigate China's imported food customs clearance and compliance requirements.
Email: customer@reach24h.com
浙公网安备 33011002014301号