Date of issue: 3 November 2022
Date of effect: Immediate
Reference Number: MAA2022- 10
Attention
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, Australian Food and Grocery Council
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Central and Regional offices
Purpose
To update advice provided in Market Access Advice (MAA2021 -22).
Establishments that submitted information to the department between October and December 2021 to update their registration in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system are now required to complete the registration process by entering their CIFER account and providing the additional information required.
Summary of key points
- The department collated information from a number of export registered establishments between October and December 2021 and forwarded this information to China to ensure those establishments were appropriately registered in the CIFER system.
- Those establishments now have until 31 December to complete their registration in CIFER by submitting an ‘Application for modification’ with appropriate documentary evidence to support their application into the CIFER system to update their record.
- Failure to further update your registration may result in the loss of access to this market on 1 July 2023.
- During this process, establishments are encouraged to confirm their registered product categories in CIFER are accurate and to confirm the China HS/CIQ codes with their respective importers.
- The department will provide help cards and guidance documentation to assist with the applications.
Please note: This action is not required when establishments have self-registered through CIFER and do not require departmental verification of their application.
Reminders
- Food exporters that do not manufacture, further process or store products do not require CIFER registration. However, they must source a product from an establishment registered in CIFER if they choose to export to China.
- The CIFER system is administered by GACC. All information submitted in CIFER should be considered as being sent directly to GACC in China.
- All applications are accepted and approved by GACC at their discretion. The department has a limited role in verifying information provided by establishments.
- The department advises establishments to exercise their due diligence before using third party websites as all CIFER applications lodged through CIFER are free of charge.
- All establishments are responsible for ensuring that their details in the CIFER system are correct and that approved products are up-to-date and accurate.
- The department urges all establishments to work with their importer to determine the appropriate HS and CIQ codes for products.
- When navigating CIFER, use Windows 7 or 10 (either 32-bit or 64-bit operation system) and Google Chrome.
Background on Cifer registration requirements
On 1 January 2022, GACC fully implemented Decree 248 – Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food. Between October and December 2021, the department invited establishments that had a trade history to China to nominate to be put forward for recommendation for registration. The department notified GACC of these establishments and GACC created CIFER user accounts and registrations for them.
China has advised that CIFER registration details are not complete in their current registration records. They require additional compulsory fields be completed to maintain a registration and that this is required to maintain registrations beyond June 30, 2023.
This advice is for CIFER registrations of NPG products such as edible oils and fats, bee products, stuffed pastry products, dehydrated vegetables, condiments, dried fruits, foods for special dietary purposes, functional foods and frozen fruit.
Confirming your registration details are correct
The department encourages all establishments to confirm your registration details are correct. This includes that establishments have the correct product categories that they require, and confirm the correct HS/CIQ codes are registered within those product categories.
When the department provided your HS/CIQ codes to GACC in late 2021, they may have registered products in multiple categories to ensure coverage during implementation of this new system. This may have resulted in more product categories and HS/CIQ codes than you need.
If all product categories are correct
- You can complete an ‘Application for modification’ for these product categories.
If there are product categories you no longer need
- You can cancel the categories you do not need
- Cancelling one product category will not affect your other registrations. For example, if you are registered for functional food and bee products, and do not need the functional food registration, you can cancel this registration and it will not affect the validity of your bee product registration.
If you wish to add HS/CIQ codes to an existing product category
- Additional HS/CIQ codes can be added when you are completing the modification application
Application for modification to complete your product registration details
To complete this process, establishments should follow the below steps:
- Log into the CIFER system. Please note, the department can reset your password at any time if required.
- Complete and submit an ‘Application for modification’ for each registered product category that you wish to maintain.
This should be actioned by 31 December 2022 at the latest to ensure the department has sufficient time to verify all information required for the application and to allow GACC sufficient time to assess and consider the application.
Further information
Please contact exportlisting@aff.gov.au or call 02 6272 5105 if you have any queries related to the above information or if you require access to your account within CIFER. The department will only be able to provide establishment CIFER details to persons registered with the department as being in a position of management control for that establishment.
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.