Administrative Provisions of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on Registration of Overseas Manufactures for Export of Food to China

(Promulgated under Decree No. 280 of the General Administration of Customs on October 14, 2025,and Effective as of June 1, 2026)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 To enhance administration on registration of overseas manufacturers for export of food to China(hereinafter referred to as overseas manufacturers), these Provisions are formulated in accordance with provisions of the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and its Implementation Regulations, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection and its Implementation Regulations, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its Implementation Regulations, the Special Rules of the State Council on Strengthening Supervision and Administration of the Safety of Food and Other Products, as well as other laws and administrative regulations.

Article 2 These Provisions shall apply to registration of the overseas manufacturers engaged in production, processing and storage of foods for export to China.

The above-mentioned overseas manufacturers do not include those engaged in the production, processing or storage of food additives or food-related products.

Article 3 The General Administration of Customs (hereinafter referred to as GACC) shall be responsible for exclusive administration on registration of the overseas manufacturers.

Article 4 The overseas manufacturers for export of food to China shall obtain registration from GACC.

Article 5 GACC shall implement a classification-based management system on overseas manufacturers, including the corresponding registration methods, application materials, review procedures, and other registration management requirements, as per the principles of risk management and the risk levels of the food for export to China, taking account of the assessment and review of the food safety management systems and food safety status of the respective countries or regions where the overseas manufacturers are located.

In cases where a risk assessment was conducted or there is evidence indicating a modification in the safety risks of imported food, the corresponding registration requirements may be adjusted accordingly.

Chapter 2 Requirements and Procedures for Registration 

Article 6 GACC shall lay down, release and make publicly available a list of food for export to China, which subject to official recommendation of registration(hereinafter referred to as “the List”)in accordance with international practice, based on an analysis of factors such as the source of raw materials, processing techniques, historical data on food safety, consumer groups and way of consumption of food.

Article 7 The overseas manufactures intended to be registered with GACC shall,

1.be approved and effectively supervised by the Competent Authority of the countries or regions where they are located;

2.be a legitimate producer and exporter in the respective county(region) where it is located, implemented an effective food safety, sanitation management and food defense strategy ensuring that the food to be exported to China complies with relevant laws, regulations and national food safety standards of China; and

3. Be incompliance with relevant inspection and quarantine requirements agreed between GACC and the Competent Authorities of the food exporting country(region) of origin.

Overseas manufacturers for export of listed food must obtain recommendation from the Competent Authority of the county(region) of origin.

Article 8 The Competent Authority of the country(region) of origin shall conduct an audit on the manufacturer for export of listed food. Upon meeting the registration requirements, the authority shall issue an inspection audit report and a recommendation letter.

Article 9 The following application materials shall be submitted to GACC either independently or through an authorized broker:

1.Application documents for manufacturer registration;

2.Identification documents, including business licenses or certificates issued by the Competent Authorities of the country (region) of origin; and

3. A written commitment in compliance with the requirements stipulated in this Provision.

For overseas manufacturers for export of the listed food , additional submission of audit reports, along with recommendation letters issued by the Competent Authorities of the county(region) of origin, is compulsory.

When deemed necessary, supplementary materials pertaining to food safety, sanitation protocols, food defense strategy, production categories, and production capacity may be requested by GACC.

Article 10 The registration application shall consist of the following information: overseas manufacturers name, country (region) of origin, processing plant address, legal representative, contact person, means of contact, registration number approved by the Competent Authority of the country (region) of origin, and the categories of food products intended for registration.

Article 11 All registration application materials shall be submitted in either Chinese or English.

The Competent Authorities of the country (region) of origin and the overseas manufactures shall bear responsibility for the authenticity, completeness, and legal compliance of all submitted materials.

Article 12 Taking account of the safety risk of imported food, GACC shall conduct assessments and reviews of overseas manufacturers applying for registration, through various methods, including document review, video inspection, on-site inspection, or a combination thereof, either independently or through delegated institutions.

Overseas manufacturers and the Competent Authorities of their respective countries (regions) shall provide necessary assistance for the aforementioned assessment and review.

Article 13 In respect of the assessment and review outcomes, GACC shall register qualified overseas manufacturers, assign them Chinese registration numbers, and provide written notification. Overseas manufacturers failing to meet the requirements shall not be registered and shall receive written notification accordingly.

Article 14 Registered overseas manufacturers shall clearly display either their Chinese registration number or the registration number approved by the Competent Authority of their country (region) of origin on the food packaging.

Article 15 The registration of overseas manufacturers shall remain valid for a period of five(5) years.

GACC shall establish the commencement and termination dates of the registration period for each overseas manufacturer.

Article 16 GACC shall officially release the list of overseas manufacturers that have obtained registration.

Article 17 GACC may, through written agreement with the Competent Authorities of the country (region) of origin, implement a list-based registration approach for such overseas manufacturers, provided that the food safety management system of the country (region) of origin has been recognized by GACC and comply with any of the following conditions:

1.The country(region) has signed an import and export food safety cooperation agreement with GACC;

2. The country(region) has entered into cooperation documents with China, such as agreement, memoranda of understanding, or joint statements that include food safety cooperation; and

3. Other circumstances where GACC, following risk assessment, deems the list-based registration approach appropriate.

Article 18 For overseas manufactures opting for the list registration approach, the Competent Authority of the respective country (region) of origin shall submit the following materials to GACC:

1.A list of food production manufacturers recommended for registration in China;

2.The application information specified in Article 10 of these Provisions;

3. A statement confirming the recommended manufacturer's compliance with Paragraph 1 of Article 7 of this Provision;and

4. A written commitment pledging continuous fulfillment of the  obligations outlined in bilateral cooperation documents.

Upon review, GACC shall register the qualified manufacturers on the list and assign them a China registration numbers respectively. Manufacturers that fail to meet the requirements shall not be registered, and the Competent Authorities of the respective countries (regions) shall be notified in writing.

Chapter 3 Supervision and Administration

Article 19 GACC shall, taking account of the risk level of imported food safety, independently or through authorized agencies, conduct re-examinations to verify whether overseas manufacturers continue to meet the registration requirements.  

Overseas manufacturers and the Competent Authorities of their respective countries or regions are required to assist in the aforementioned re-examination process.

Article 20 Where any registration information changes during the validity period of the registration, a request for modification shall be submitted to GACC through the original designated registration channel, accompanied by the following documents: 

1.A comparative table detailing the changes to the registered items; and

2.Supporting documentation substantiating the changes. 

If GACC determines, upon assessment, that the modifications are acceptable, the updated information shall be recorded. However, in cases involving significant modifications, such as relocation of the production facility, change of legal representative, or change of the registration number issued by the Competent Authority of the county(region), that substantially affect the manufacturer’s food safety and sanitation management system or food defense strategy, the modification shall not be approved. Instead, the overseas manufactures shall be notified to re-apply for registration, and its original China registration number shall become invalid as of the date of notification.

Article 21 Registration shall be automatically renewed upon expiration for a period of five(5) years, unless any of the following circumstances apply: 

1.The imported food is included in the list of products ineligible for automatic renewal; 

2.The manufacturer is under rectification for failing to satisfy the registration requirements; and

3. GACC has lawfully suspended the importation of relevant food from the county(region) where the overseas manufacturer is located. 

The list of imported food ineligible for automatic renewal, as specified in the preceding paragraph, shall be published separately by GACC.

Article 22 An overseas manufacturer whose product is listed among those ineligible for automatic renewal shall submit a renewal application to GACC via the designated registration channel between three(3) and twelve(12) months prior to the expiration of the current registration. The required materials for renewal include: 

1.Renewal application information; 

2.A declaration of commitment confirming continued compliance with registration requirements; and

3. For manufacturers for export of food in “the List”, an official statement shall be issued by the Competent Authority of the county(region) of origin, certifying that the manufacturer continues to meet the registration requirements. 

GACC shall approve the renewal for manufacturers in compliance with the requirements and extend the registration validity for an additional five years.

Article 23 GACC shall cancel the registration of a registered overseas manufacturer under any of the following circumstances, notify the manufacturer and the Competent Authority of the county(region) of origin, and make a public announcement: 

1.Failure to apply for renewal within the prescribed timeframe; 

2.Voluntary request for cancellation submitted by the Competent Authority of the county(region) or by the overseas manufacturers; and

3. No longer satisfying the conditions stipulated in Point 1 of Article 7 of this Provision.

Article 24 The Competent Authorities of the countries(regions) where overseas manufacturers are located shall fulfill their responsibilities for food safety supervision, effectively oversee registered manufacturers, and ensure that such manufacturers continue to be in compliance with registration requirements. Upon identifying non-compliances, the manufacturers shall immediately implement risk prevention and mitigation measures. The Competent Authorities shall proactively suspend the export of food from the affected manufacturers to China, notify GACC, and supervise the manufacturers’ corrective actions until compliance is restored.

Overseas manufacturers that identify their own failure to meet registration requirements shall voluntarily suspend exports to China and take immediate corrective measures until full compliance is achieved.

Article 25 GACC shall order the manufacture no longer meets the registration requirements to rectify within a specified time frame, while notifying the Competent Authority of the its respective county(region) to supervise the rectification process, during which the imports of food from the concerned manufacturer shall be suspended. 

Upon completion of rectification, the manufacturer shall submit a rectification report  and a written statement confirming compliances with registration requirements issued by the Competent Authority of its county(region). 

GACC shall review the rectification report. If compliance is confirmed, the importation of food from the manufacturer shall resume.

Article 26 GACC, in accordance with Articles 24 and 25 of these Provisions, shall suspend or resume the import of food from registered overseas manufacturers. The list of affected manufacturers shall be released by GACC.

Article 27 GACC shall revoke the registration and  issue a public announcement for registered overseas manufacturer under any of the following circumstances: 

1. The manufacturer causes a major food safety incident involving food for export to China due to its own reasons; 

2.Food exported to China is found to have serious food safety issues during border inspection and quarantine; 

3. The manufacturer has significant deficiencies in food safety and sanitation management system, failing to ensure that its exported food to China comply with the safety and sanitation requirements; 

4. The manufacturer remains non-compliant with registration requirements after the rectification; 

5. The manufacturer provides false materials or conceals relevant information; 

6. The manufacturer refuses to cooperate with re-inspection or accident investigation conducted by GACC; 

7. The manufacturer leases, lends, transfers, resells, or misuses the registration number; 

8. Registration were granted to unqualified applicants or those  not meeting the registration requirements; and

9.Other circumstances where registration may be revoked under applicable laws.

Chapter IV Supplementary Provisions

Article 28 GACC, pursuant to the law, has suspended the import of relevant food from countries(regions) where overseas manufactures are located. During the suspension period, registration applications from food manufacturers in these countries or regions for such products shall not be accepted.

Article 29 In cases where relevant countries(regions) and China have established specific agreement regarding the registration and management of overseas manufacturers for export of food, such bilateral agreements shall precedence and be implemented accordingly.

Article 30 The scope of overseas storage facilities for export of  food to China subject to registration management under these Provisions shall be separately announced by GACC. 

The registration management framework for overseas manufacturers of primary edible agricultural products shall be separately established by GACC. 

Management requirements for overseas manufacturers through cross-border e-commerce retail shall be implemented in accordance with applicable regulations.

Article 31 For the purposes of these Provisions, the Competent Authority of the county(region) origin refers to the official governmental department responsible for the safety and sanitation supervision of food production manufacturers within that jurisdiction.

Article 32 Interpretation of these Provisions shall be the responsibility of GACC.

Article 33 These Provisions shall enter into force on June 1, 2026. The Administrative Provisions of the People's Republic of China on Registration of Overseas manufacturers of imported food, promulgated under Decree No. 248 of GACC on April 12, 2021, are hereby repealed as of the same date.