As global businesses prepare for the 8th China International Import Expo, understanding the quarantine approval process for importing animals, plants, their products, and food of animal and plant origin is crucial.

This guide provides detailed insights into the scope of approval, necessary documentation, and contact methods, ensuring a smooth and compliant entry into the expo.

I. Scope of approval

A. Animals and animal products

1. Live animals and animal embryos, semen, fertilized eggs, hatching eggs, and other animal genetic materials.

2. Imported animal serum products, vaccines, and biological products.

3. Non-edible animal products: Refer to the General Administration of Customs' Announcement on Optimizing the Risk Levels and Inspection, Quarantine and Supervision Measures for Imported Non-Edible Animal Products, or Announcement No 208 [2024] of GACC.

4. Feed products: Compound feed, ice-fresh and frozen animal products for feed (including bait), processed animal proteins and fats (excluding fish meal, fish oil, and aquatic residue meal), pet food, and chew toys (excluding canned products).

5. Animal-derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials: velvet antler, deer antler, gecko, earthworm, Zaocys dhumnades, and calculus bovis.

6. Other animal products requiring quarantine approval.

B. Plants and plant products

1. Plant seeds, seedlings, and other propagating materials.

2. Fresh fruits.

3. Rice, wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, and other coarse cereals and legumes.

4. Other plant products requiring quarantine approval.

C. Food of animal origin

1. Meat products (excluding cooked and cured meats);

2. Fresh eggs.

II. Materials required

For necessary documentation, please visit http://online.customs.gov.cn/static/pages/treeGuide.html and navigate to "Service Guide" > "Administrative Approval" > "Quarantine Approval for Entry (Transit) of Animals and Their Products, Quarantine Approval for Entry (Transit) of Plants and Their Products" > "List of Required Documents".

Attention: For imported grains, you must also provide the number of the Initial Quarantine Review Contact Form for Imported Grains, issued by the supervising customs of the post-entry grain storage location or by the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Customs.

To import animal and plant products, or food of animal origin from non-epidemic areas that have not yet been approved for import inspection and quarantine access into China, the following materials are necessary for special quarantine approval:

1. Relevant certification documents for inbound goods.

2. An application submitted by the Embassy (or Consulate) of the exporting country in China, or by the CIIE Bureau and its designated main transport agents.

3. The application form for exhibition of animals, plants, and their products, as well as food of animal origin without quarantine access (see the attached).

4. A biosafety risk self-assessment report for the relevant exhibits, covering biosecurity measures during pre-entry, transportation, pre-exhibition temporary storage, exhibition, and post-exhibition periods.

5. And other necessary explanatory materials.

III. Application procedures

1. Company registration

Visit the "Internet+ Customs" integrated platform to complete the registration of the applicant company. Customs will review and approve the registration.

2. Online application

The registered company needs to fill out and upload the required materials online to submit the quarantine approval application. During the application, it's necessary to indicate "Exhibits for the 8th CIIE" in the "Purpose Statement" section.

3. Permit usage

Once the approval certificate is issued, it can be used within the validity period and for the approved quantity. For customs clearance, select the appropriate supervisory certificate and fill in the permit number in the system's "Product Qualification" section.

For permits obtained via special approval, the company shall apply for cancellation in the approval system after the 8th CIIE concludes.

IV. Contact information

Shanghai Customs Animal and Plant Quarantine Division

Tel: +86-21-6015-7204

Shanghai Customs Imported and Exported Food Safety Division

Tel: +86-21-6015-7165

National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) Customs

Tel: +86-21-6238-0121

 

Source: Shanghai Customs

Note: The above content is for reference only. In case of any discrepancies, the Chinese version shall prevail.