GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
ANNOUNCEMENT
No. 27 of 2026
The Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (GACC Decree No. 280, hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Regulations”) were promulgated on October 14, 2025 and will enter into force on June 1, 2026. Matters concerning implementation are hereby announced as follows:
I. Supporting Catalogues and Lists under the Registration Regulations
Based on analysis of factors including sources of food raw materials, production and processing techniques, historical food safety data, consumer groups and methods of consumption, and taking international practices into account, GACC has determined the Catalogue of Imported Foods Requiring Official Recommendation for Registration, the List of Foods Ineligible for Automatic Registration Renewal, and the Scope of Overseas Storage Establishments for Imported Food Subject to Registration Administration under the Registration Regulations. The relevant catalogue, list and scope are subject to dynamic management.
(1) Catalogue of Imported Foods Requiring Official Recommendation for Registration
Pursuant to Article 6 of the Registration Regulations, the catalogue includes: meat and meat products; casings; bird's nests and bird's nest products; bee products; eggs and egg products; edible oils and fats; stuffed pasta products; edible grains; milled grain products and malt; dehydrated vegetables; seasoning powders; nuts and seeds; dried fruits; foods for special dietary uses; health foods; dairy products; and aquatic products.
(2) List of Foods Ineligible for Automatic Registration Renewal
Pursuant to Article 21 of the Registration Regulations, the list includes: meat and meat products; and bird's nests and bird's nest products.
(3) Scope of Overseas Storage Establishments for Imported Food Subject to Registration Administration
Pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 30 of the Registration Regulations, the scope includes cold stores used for storing foods of terrestrial animal origin and aquatic products.
II. Import Declaration Requirements Related to Registration
(1) Information-Filling Requirements
For imported food entering China as cargo and intended for human consumption in the Chinese market or for use as food-processing raw materials, at the time of import declaration the Chinese registration number of the overseas manufacturer corresponding to the “country (region) of origin” of the imported food shall be correctly entered in the certificate field for “Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food” under “Product Qualifications” on the customs declaration form (license category code “519”). “For human consumption” shall be correctly entered in the “Use” field under “Commodity Declaration.”
Where information is not completed in accordance with the requirements, Customs will not accept the declaration. False declaration of information for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining customs documents shall be investigated and handled by Customs in accordance with law.
(2) Import Declaration Requirements
For overseas food manufacturers requiring official recommendation for registration, products manufactured during the validity period of registration may be declared for import, including food manufactured during the registration validity period by an establishment whose registration later expired without renewal, provided that the food remains within its shelf life.
For overseas food manufacturers applying for registration on their own, the establishment's registration shall be valid at the time of import declaration.
For overseas food manufacturers whose registration has been suspended, cancelled or revoked, food shipped before the date of suspension, cancellation or revocation is not affected for purposes of import declaration.
Where GACC has special requirements, such requirements shall apply.
III. Registration Processing and Information Inquiry Channels
(1) Registration System for Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food
To support implementation of the Registration Regulations, facilitate registration applications and improve administrative efficiency, overseas manufacturers of imported food may use the GACC Registration System for Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (hereinafter referred to as the “Registration System”) to inquire about and process applications, changes, renewals, suspensions, restorations and other matters. GACC reminds relevant enterprises to carefully identify the authentic system and avoid losses caused by logging into fraudulent websites.
(2) Information Inquiry Channels
During the registration application process, an overseas manufacturer of imported food may use the Registration System to check the progress of its application and GACC's review opinions and feedback.
Information including the Chinese registration number and validity period of registered overseas manufacturers of imported food may be searched on GACC's official website or through the “List of Registered Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food” function in the Registration System.
The service guide for registration of overseas manufacturers of imported food, instructions for use of the Registration System, the registration consultation hotline and other materials may be accessed through the “Service Guide” function in the Registration System or through the service guide published on the GACC website.
The product categories involved in registration of overseas manufacturers of imported food, together with the corresponding customs commodity codes and regulatory identification codes, may be searched through the “Product Category Inquiry” function in the Registration System.
IV. Other Notes
(1) The catalogue of imported primary edible agricultural products requiring registration of overseas establishments, import declaration requirements and inquiry methods shall be implemented in accordance with GACC Announcement No. 219 of 2025.
(2) GACC charges no fees for registration of overseas establishments for imported food or primary edible agricultural products.
It is hereby announced.
General Administration of Customs
March 18, 2026
Unofficial Translation. For reference only. Please kindly understand.
