On December 13, 2021, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China issued Announcement No. 103 of 2021: “Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Imported Food Overseas Production Enterprises ” and “Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety of the People’s Republic of China” were announced.
The “Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Imported Food Overseas Production Enterprises” (Order No. 248 of the General Administration of Customs) and the “Administrative Measures of the People’s Republic of China on the Safety of Imported and Exported Food” (Order No. 249 of the General Administration of Customs) had been issued on April 12, 2021. It was announced on January 1, 2021 and will be implemented on January 1, 2022.
The relevant matters are now announced as follows:
1. Regarding enterprise registration application and enterprise information inquiry:
(1) Log in to the registration system and query information about overseas production companies https://cifer.singlewindow.cn/, or through the China International Trade Single Window portal (https://www.singlewindow.cn/).
Registered enterprises can inquire about their registration number, validity period and other information in China on the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the registration system.
(2) Application for registration of enterprises.
Except for enterprises that have otherwise agreed on the application method and application materials between overseas competent authority and the General Administration of Customs, the 18 types of enterprises listed in Article 7 of the “Registration Regulations” shall be allocated by the competent authority of the country (region) where they are located. Register a system account and submit an application through the registration system according to the process. The registration system account of the overseas competent authority shall be allocated by the General Administration of Customs. The enterprises other than the 18 categories listed in Article 7 of the “Registration Regulations” should apply for their registration system account by themselves, and submit the application according to the registration system process.
2. Inquiry about the product category and product code involved in the registration of overseas production enterprises:
The category and corresponding product number (HS code) and inspection and quarantine code of the products involved in the registration can be inquired on the registration system.
3. About the import declaration:
For foods shipped to China starting on January 1, 2022, the company should be specified in the “Registration of Imported Food Overseas Production Enterprise” column under the “Product Qualifications” section of the customs declaration form.
The customs will not accept the declaration if it fails to comply with the requirements.
ÓÓ4. Regarding registration number marking and packaging label identification:
The food exported to China produced from January 1, 2022 shall be marked with the registration number in China on the inner and outer packaging of the food exported to China or the registration number approved by the competent authority of the country (region).
The requirements for packaging, labeling and marking of the “Administrative Measures” shall apply to the food exported to China produced from January 1, 2022; the packaging, labeling and marking requirements of the food exported to China produced before January 1, 2022 shall be applicable to the original regulations.
ÓÓ5. Regarding the validity period of the registration:
For registered enterprises, their registration qualifications will continue to be valid. Registered enterprises shall apply for renewal of registration in accordance with regulations during the 6 to 3 months before the expiration of the registration validity period. Enterprises that fail to apply for renewal of registration in accordance with regulations will be cancelled by the General Administration of Customs.
6 About the cost:
The General Administration of Customs does not charge any fees for the registration of manufacturers.
