01 June 2023
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry of changes to the application process for the registration of food processing and storage facilities handling fresh vegetables intended for export to China.
Summary of changes and key points
The following information is specific to new applications for registration as a food processing or storage facility with the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).
- Facilities with a valid registered establishment certificate provided by us are invited to apply for registration as a food processing or storage facility with GACC.
- Completed applications must be submitted to the Horticulture Exports Program. Applications received will be sent in future submissions (approximately every 4 months).
- Registration is required for the export of the following fresh or chilled vegetables to China:
- Asparagus
- Komatsu
- Lettuce
- Parilla
- Radish
- Yam.
Application process
The person in management and control of the:
- processing or storage facility handling food products for export to China
- registered establishment/s carrying out final processing steps or final storage prior to export to China
must complete an Application for registration of food processing and storage facilities handling fresh vegetables intending to export to China (DOCX 67 KB).
Important: A separate application must be submitted for each facility/registered establishment.
- The following details, as shown on the registered establishment certificate, must be provided:
- Occupier name
- Address
- Registered establishment number.
- Applications must be submitted to the Horticulture Exports Program for assessment and recommendation to GACC for registration.
Important: GACC must approve the application and register the facility before food products can be exported to China.
Labelling requirements
- Food products must have a label on both the inner packaging (smallest sale unit) and outer packaging (transport packaging) displaying the facility’s competent authority issued registration number (that is, your department registered establishment number).
- The registration number can be affixed using a stick-on/adhesive label for all food products, except foods for special dietary uses and health foods.
- There is no set format for product labels, except that the labelling must be presented in a way that is easily distinguishable by Chinese customers.
- The facility registration number on the label should be consistent with any other documentation or certification where the number has been provided.
Background
The advice in this notice updates information for the export of fresh vegetables only, provided in IAN 2022-59.
Further background information on this notice can be found in IAN 2021-41, IAN 2021-52, IAN 2021-53, IAN 2021-55, IAN 2021-58 and IAN 2021-67.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN please email Horticulture Exports.
Rossana Carr
Acting Assistant Secretary
Plant Export Operations Branch