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Department of Agriculture

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2021-18: China: Dairy, Seafood, Honey and Other Edible Non-prescribed Goods: Update on new registration process for food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China and product labelling requirements

Date of issue: 27 October 2021

Date of effect: From 1 January 2022

Reference Number: MAA2021-43 (Dairy), MAA2021-24 (Seafood), MAA2021-18 (NPG)

Related: MAA2021-38,40&41 (Dairy), MAA2021-20,21&22 (Seafood), MAA2021-14,15&16 (NPG)

Attention:

  • Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia, Dairy Export Industry Consultative Committee, Infant Nutrition Council and Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Export dairy and seafood establishments, Australian Food and Grocery Council and Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.
  • Exporters
  • Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment —Central and Regional offices

Purpose

To provide updated information on the registration of food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China, and product labelling requirements for food products exported to China.

Summary of key points

  • Further to Market Access Advices MAA2021-38,40&41 (Dairy), MAA2021-20,21&22 (Seafood) and MAA2021-14,15&16 (Non-prescribed goods), the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is providing update for the registration of food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China, and product labelling requirements for food products exported to China.
  • The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment would like to make a correction regarding the relevance of China’s new imported food requirements on eCommerce and provide advice on bilingual (English/Chinese) language labelling requirements.

Australian food processing and storage facilities handling food exported to China, should read the information below and take appropriate action as required by specified timeframes.

Webinar (22 October 2022) recording to be published

The department held a webinar on 22 October 2021 to provide food processing and storage facilities handling food exported to China more information on China’s new imported food requirements.

A recording of the webinar, and department responses to a number of questions surrounding China’s new imported food requirements will be uploaded shortly, and will be accessible through the following link: https://haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/food-to-china. Webinar registrants will receive an email from the department once the recording has been uploaded.

Correction to advice regarding eCommerce trade

For those who attended the webinar, we would like to make a correction regarding the relevance of China’s new imported food requirements on eCommerce.

At this stage we understand that import and export of food through mail, express delivery, cross-border eCommerce retail, or carried by travellers, are not required to abide by China’s new requirements for facility registration and labelling.  

Clarification to advice regarding bilingual (English/Chinese) language labelling requirements

For those who attended the webinar, we would like to clarify information regarding bilingual language labelling requirements.

At this stage, we understand that the bilingual language (English/Chinese) labelling requirements have only been confirmed for exported meat and seafood products. There is no clear advice on whether these requirements apply to other exported food commodities. Further information on labelling requirements will be provided by the department when available.

Registration requirements for food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China

As outlined in MAA2021-40 (Dairy), MAA2021-21 (Seafood), MAA2021-15 (Non-prescribed goods), there are three registration processes that may apply to food processing and storage facilities handling food for export to China.

1. Food processing and storage facilities handling only meat, dairy, and seafood products for export to China

No additional updates for food processing and storage facilities covered under this section. Please refer to MAA2021-40 (Dairy), MAA2021-21 (Seafood), MAA2021-15 (Non-prescribed goods) for the latest information.

The department will ensure GACC has access to the latest meat, seafood and dairy lists of registered facilities approved to export these commodities to China.

2. Food processing and storage facilities handling products for export to China that require department recommendation for registration with China

2.1 Closure of online service for applications and submission of information to GACC

As per MAA2021-40 (Dairy), MAA2021-21 (Seafood), MAA2021-15 (Non-prescribed goods) the department established an online service for facilities to submit applications for recommendation for registration to the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). Applications into the online service were due by 22 October 2021. The online service will remain open for late applications until the department submits its application to GACC on Thursday 28 October 2021, 5:00pm AEDT. Late submissions may encounter delays in registration and could disrupt trade.

The department understands GACC will use this information to publish approved lists of food processing and storage facilities on their website, however a specific timeframe on when this will occur has not yet been advised.

Food processing and storage facilities that have not submitted an application on the online service system will need to follow the process described in Section 2.3.

2.2 Allocation of department issued registration numbers

If your facility already has an existing departmental establishment number, this number will continue to be used for all food categories your facility handles for export to China which require departmental recommendation for registration.

If your facility does not have an existing departmental establishment number, once your application has been processed, this will be issued by the department for your facility. If a business has multiple facilities in different locations, a unique number will be issued for each facility per location. This number will be used for all food categories your facility handles for export to China which require departmental recommendation for registration.

2.3 Food processing and storage facilities that did not complete an application by 22 October 2021

Food processing and storage facilities that did not complete an application, will require registration through the steps outlined in Article 8 of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food (Decree 248)’ if they intend to export food products to China.  

English translations of Decree 248can be found through the United States Department of Agriculture, Global Agricultural Information Network reports.

The registration process for food processing and storage facilities under this section will be provided by the department once GACC has advised how these applications will be accepted and processed.

2.4 Labelling requirements

In addition to the labelling requirements outlined in MAA2021-40 (Dairy), MAA2021-21 (Seafood), MAA2021-15 (Non-prescribed goods), the department understands that GACC intends to enforce product labelling requirements for food imported into China on or after 1 January 2022.

Further information on labelling requirements will be provided once department establishment numbers have been issued and registration information has been submitted to GACC.

3. Food processing and storage facilities handling product for export to China that require self-registration with GACC

This process is only required for food processing and storage facilities which handle products for export to China that are not covered under Section 1 and Section 2. Facilities are reminded that the single window registration process will open on 1 November 2021. It is recommended that facilities complete their self-registration after this date.

For food processing and storage facilities which have already completed a submission using the GACC ‘single window service system’ prior to 1 November 2021, the department recommends logging in to the single window system to complete the application after 1 November 2021.

Updated information on how to access the single window system and complete the application will be provided by the department after 1 November 2021.

3.1 Labelling requirements

GACC’s new requirements specify that exported food must include on the inner and outer packaging, either a GACC-issued registration number or the registration number issued by the exporting country (department issued establishment number).

Further information on labelling requirements will be provided by the department after 1 November 2021.

Further information

Contact exportlisting@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: 27 October 2021

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