Date of issue: 21 December 2023
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA 2023-46
Attention
- Industries—Industry bodies – Dairy Australia – Infant Nutrition Council - Seafood Export Consultative Committee - Seafood Trade Advisory Group - Seafood Industry Australia - Australian Food and Grocery Council - Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
- Export establishments
- Exporters, Automated Export Permit Issuers (AEPI), and EXDOC users
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to inform Australian manufacturers, processors and cold storage (for applicable commodities) establishments seeking to export food products for human consumption to China of the requirement for new registrations to be submitted through the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) System.
Background
Under Decree 248 from the General Administration of Customs China (GACC), all overseas food manufacturing, processing and storing establishments (for applicable commodities) intending to export foods to China must directly register through the CIFER system with China. Establishments that require access to China and do not currently hold an active CIFER registration will need to submit a new application through the CIFER system to apply for listing.
Application Process
Establishments wishing to export dairy and seafood to China should contact the department at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au to start the application process. For honey and other edible non-prescribed goods, please contact the department at exportlisting@aff.gov.au to start the application process. The department can create the appropriate account and will be able to provide advice when submitting an application.
Please note that the department does not currently have oversight of the CIFER listing process once an application has been submitted to GACC for consideration, including expected timeframes for new CIFER registrations, documentation that may be requested, or audit requirements.
An operations manual for applicants is located within the CIFER system and can be referred to for additional support. Applicants are reminded to refer to Micor for eligible products, and to use the correct 13-digit HS CIQ codes.
For fish exports, the department can assist with ascertaining the correct codes. For other commodities the department is unable to assist with ascertaining the correct codes for exporting goods.
The Product Type Query menu within the CIFER system can assist establishments, however the department strongly recommends industry check with their importers to ensure the correct codes are used.
Infant formula, food for special dietary uses, and health food products:
Infant formula, food for special dietary uses, and health food products require approval from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) before registration can be sought through CIFER.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this market access advice. The department encourages users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists changes that have been made in the preceding week.