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2022-11: China: Fish: Do you catch, store or prepare fish or fish products that are exported to China? China Import Food Enterprise Registration System

Date of issue: 13 July 2022

Date of effect: Immediate

Reference Number: MAA2022-11

Related MAAs: N/A

Attention

  • Industries—Industry bodies - Seafood Export Consultative Committee
  • Export establishments
  • Exporters
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This Market Access Advice (MAA) is for export registered vessels and land-based establishments who catch, manufacture, pack or store fish and fish products that are exported to China.

If you are currently supplying an exporter and are not sure if the product you prepare or store is exported to China, you are encouraged to check with your customers / suppliers as this will affect their ability to export your product.

This MAA is not applicable to the catching, preparation or storage of fish that are exported live or to dry (unrefrigerated) storage establishments.

Summary of key points

For fish and fish products to be able to be exported to China, all export registered establishments, including vessels and cold stores in the Australian supply chain are required to be approved by and listed with China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC). GACC is responsible for the registration management of overseas manufacturers of foods imported into China.

Until December 2021, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) automatically requested listing for all establishments preparing or storing fish for export with GACC. The list of approved establishments was published on the GACC website which is accessible but will soon be removed from the web. All GACC links are most compatible with Google Chrome.

What is new?

On 1 January 2022, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Imported Food Overseas Production Enterprises (Decree 248) which is administered by GACC came into effect.

Decree 248 requires that overseas manufacturers of fish and fish products that are imported to China (from all countries) need to obtain GACC registration and listing by making an application via GACCs web-based China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system.

For establishments that previously appeared on the GACC website before the implementation of Decree 248, registrations remain valid and have already been moved into the CIFER system.

How do I know if my establishment is already listed in Chinas’ CIFER system?

Australian registered premises that are registered with GACC in the CIFER system can be identified using the search function on the GACC ‘Registration information of overseas manufacturers of imported food’ website. Search on for fish listings as “Aquatic Products”.

Does my establishment registration in CIFER expire?

Establishments should note that all existing registrations for supply of aquatic products now have expiry dates. The expiry date indicated for all Australian establishments exporting fish to China is 31 December 2022.

Expiry dates are now indicated for all registrations. Additionally, GACC has advised of a requirement for all establishments listed to up-date their company and product details in full by June 2023.

What do I have to do to maintain my GACC listing or apply for listing?

The process for updating, extending, or applying for GACC registration in CIFER requires you to:

  • Obtain a temporary password to access CIFER from the department
  • Completing your establishment details in the system, including the uploading of additional information as indicated and submitting the application
  • When you apply – your information is sent to the department for verification before being sent on to GACC for consideration and approval

Where can I get help or obtain more information?

The department is finalising an administrative program to enable us to assist you in engaging with the CIFER system and to recommend establishments for registration.

Once the new processes have been finalised and are ready for implementation, the department will notify seafood stakeholders via Market Access Advice Notices.

Please ensure that you regularly access the departments website at: Market Access Advice Notices. You can subscribe to receive Market Access Advice Notices via our email notification system. You may change or cancel your subscription at any time.

Do I need to engage a consultant to assist me in this process?

There are consultancy services offering to assist to establishments in lodging CIFER applications. The decision to engage a consultant sits with the establishment. If you engage a consultant, please be advised that the department will not communicate directly with your consultant. All departmental communication will need to be with the establishment management.

Warning re illegitimate registration sites and communication

The department is aware of websites purporting to provide GACC registration of overseas food manufacturers producing products for export to China and of unsolicited emails purporting to be from the GACC or other Chinese agencies (e.g. from the ‘GACC Registration Organisation’). The department highlights the risks of engaging with unverified agencies offering to help with GACC registration and recommends not to engage with emails (or other forms of communication) from unverified sources. An English translation of Decree 248 is available on GACC’s website.

The department reminds establishments that:

  • GACC does not charge any fees for the registration of overseas food production facilities.
  • GACC does not communicate with Australian businesses other than through the department

Further information

Contact dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.

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Page last updated: 24 August 2022

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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