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China – New Food Export Requirements

China – New Food Export Requirements

China – New Food Export Requirements

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To continue exporting ‘high-risk’ products such as non-live fish and seafood to China, businesses must renew their China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) registrations by December 31, 2022. If registration is not renewed by this date, businesses will no longer be eligible to export these products to China and will be required to re-register in the CIFER system. 

To learn how to renew your business’ registration, please see the Urgent action for fish and seafood establishments – renewals in CIFER section on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced that beginning January 1, 2022, exporters and businesses involved in the processing and/or storage of food exports to China will need to comply with two new Chinese regulations:

Decree 248 – “Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food will require all overseas food manufacturers, processors and storage facilities to register with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)”.

Decree 249 – “Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety covers a broad range of requirements on food exports to China, including overseas facilities registration, record filing by importers and exporters, quarantine and inspection and product labelling”.
 

Required Action for Canadian Food Exporters to China

Under Decree 248, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) has classified a wide range of food products into three categories (low, medium, or high risk). Businesses exporting food, and/or are involved in the processing or storage of food exported to China will need to register with the GACC in the CIFER system, under the applicable category.

Registration with the GACC in the CIFER system will be required in order to continue exporting to China after January 1, 2022.

The summary below provides a breakdown of the food and the registration requirements for each category.


High Risk

Who Must Register? Businesses that are currently eligible to export ‘high-risk’ food products to China

Medium Risk

  • Products: Please see Decree 248 – list of high and medium risk-products on the CFIA website for a current list

  • Who Must Register? Companies who are involved in the processing and/or storage (dry or cold) of these ‘medium risk’ products and who currently export these products to China


Low Risk

  • Products: All food and agri-food products other than those categorized as ‘high’ or ‘medium’ risk

  • Who Must Register? All companies that currently export food products to China that are not regarded as ‘High’ or ‘Medium’ risk

 

Please note that businesses registered in the CIFER system must renew their registration every five (5) years and a minimum of three (3) months prior to the registration expiry date. To confirm your registration’s expiry date, go to the CIFER query site and enter your registration number. 

For more information on GACC registration in the CIFER system, please read the CFIA Food Export Notice -  New establishment registration requirements for food exports to China (Decrees 248 and 249).

 

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)

Canadian food exporters to China must continue to comply with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Specifically, food exporters may require a valid SFCR export license and must have sufficient preventative controls (i.e., an effective Preventative Control Plan [PCP]) and traceability measures in place to prevent risks to food safety and consumer protection. For additional information, please visit our SFCR page.

 

Additional Information