The registration methods of imported food overseas production enterprises include registration recommended by the competent authorities of the country (region) where the enterprise is located and registration application. According to Article 16 of the “Regulations on the Regulations on the Registration of Foreign Manufacturers of the People’s Republic of China”, after the enterprise applied for registration, the registration period of overseas manufacturers of imported food is valid for 5 years. The list of registered enterprises can be checked on the website of the General Administration.

      The 18 categories of foods that can use by the registration method of authority recommendation include: meat and meat products, sausage casings, aquatic products, dairy products, cubilose and cubilose products, bee products, eggs and egg products, edible oils and oil, stuffed pasta, edible grains, grains powder-making industrial products and malt, fresh-keeping and dehydrated vegetables, as well as dried beans, seasonings, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, non-roasted coffee beans and cocoa beans, special dietary foods, health foods.

      Overseas manufacturers of imported food listed above shall allocate their registered system accounts by the competent authorities (regional) authorities, and submit applications according to the process through the registered system. The registration system account of the overseas competent authorities is allocated by the General Administration of Customs.

      Other overseas food companies other than the food categories listed above shall apply for their own registration system accounts by themselves and submit applications according to registration system process.

Registers for Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Food

  • Overseas production, processing and storage enterprises (hereinafter referred to as “overseas production enterprises of imported food”) that export food to China shall complete registration.
  • The overseas production enterprises of imported food as mentioned above do not include the production, processing and storage enterprises of food additives and food-related products.

Registration Qualification Requirements

  • The food safety management system of the country (region) passes the equivalent evaluation and review of the General Administration of Customs;
  • With the approval of the authorities (regional) competent authorities (regions) and under its effective supervision;
  • Establish an effective food safety and hygiene management and protection system, legally produce and export in the country (region) where it is located. Ensure that the food exported to China complies with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and national food safety standards;

      Compliance with the relevant inspection and quarantine requirements agreed by the General Administration of Customs and the country (region).

Management and Evaluation Procedures of Registration for Overseas Production Enterprise of Imported Food   

  1. The General Administration of Customs shall, on its own or by entrusting relevant institutions, organize review groups to evaluate and examine overseas producers of imported food applying for registration through written inspection, video inspection, on-site inspection and their combinations.
  2. The General Administration of Customs shall, on the basis of the assessment and examination, grant registration and Chinese registration number to overseas production enterprises of imported food that meet the requirements. Besides, the General Administration of Customs shall notify the competent authorities of the country (region) where they are located or the overseas production enterprises of imported food in writing. The overseas production enterprises of imported food that do not meet the requirements shall not be registered, and the competent authorities of the country (region) where they are located or the overseas production enterprises of imported food shall be notified in writing.

Registration Management Agency

      The General Administration of Customs is uniformly responsible for the registration and management of foreign manufacturers of imported food, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

  • The General Administration of Customs conducts risk analysis to determine the registration method and application materials of overseas manufacturers of imported food, and it can be adjusted according to the situation;
  • The General Administration of Customs may agree with the competent authorities in relevant countries (regions) about the registration methods and application materials of overseas production enterprises of imported food;
  • According to work requirements, the General Administration of Customs determines the content and the writing requirements of registration application materials, such as enterprise registration application;
  • The General Administration of Customs shall, on its own or by entrusting relevant institutions, organize a review group to evaluate and examine the overseas producers of imported food that have applied for registration;
  • The General Administration of Customs shall review whether the overseas production enterprises of imported food continue to meet the registration requirements, and review the rectification of the enterprises;
  • The General Administration of Customs shall, on the basis of the assessment and examination, make decisions on granting registration, denying registration, granting change, granting renewal, cancelling registration, revoking registration, suspending import, resuming import, etc., and issue written notices, promulgate or make public announcements, etc.

      The General Administration of Customs shall give Chinese registration numbers to registered overseas producers of imported food, and uniformly publish the list of registered overseas producers of imported food.