Instructions For Export Of Agricultural Products To China From A To Z

Import Procedures and Distribution Methods of Agricultural Products in China

The distribution chain of imported agricultural products, especially imported fruits from China, has long been carried out according to the traditional supply model, characterized by many wholesale markets, small traders, retail stalls, etc. As you can see in the picture above.

However, with the increasing demands of the market and the development of e-commerce, the supply chain in China and the supply model have also changed.

Please look at the image below to better understand your country’s import model.

In fact, after completing the process, exporting units must complete the quarantine declaration procedures as follows:

• Before signing a commercial contract, the importer needs to have an Animal and Plant Import Permit.
• The owner or authorized person must make a quarantine declaration to the Inspection and Quarantine Bureau at the port of import before or when importing fruits, and must also fill out the Application for Import Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit of the People’s Republic of China and submit it to the National Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Bureau/Sub-bureau at the designated port of import.
• In addition to the above application, the Owner or authorized person carrying out import procedures must submit the following documents: invoices, commercial contracts, certificates of origin, certificates of plant quarantine issued by the competent authority of the exporting country (region), special certificates for certain types of fruit such as certificates of cold or hot sterilization/certificates of pesticide residue concentration on fruit, etc.

• Normally, according to relevant Chinese laws and regulations, the import licensing process takes 20 working days.
• After receiving the import quarantine request from the Owner or authorized person to carry out import procedures, the border quarantine agency will receive the inspection report based on the comparison of import-export documents, quarantine certificates/certificates, etc. before conducting on-site testing.
• Based on relevant legal regulations and standards, bilateral agreements on quarantine, protocols signed between quarantine authorities and requirements for quarantine certificates/certificates to conduct quarantine of imported fruits. This is a sample of plant quarantine certificate.

Besides, to be able to export to this country, businesses must also pay attention to the packaging method of exported agricultural products to meet Chinese standards.

This is the information that businesses need to know when they want to learn how to export agricultural products to China .

China’s Requirements for Agricultural Product Inspection and Quarantine

Some notes on quarantine and testing content according to Chinese regulations:

• Agricultural products, especially fruits, need to have clear origins, including information about the place of production and packaging facility.
• The packaging must clearly state the product name, place of manufacture, and name of the packaging facility.
• Agricultural products must comply with the content of the import license; the quantity must not exceed the quantity permitted in the Import License. Agricultural products that have not been officially permitted for import must not be imported.

• Imported agricultural products must not be contaminated with soil, branches or leaves and must not contain harmful insects, weeds or diseases.
• Pesticide residues and heavy metals must comply with Chinese standards.
• The quarantine certificate issued by the exporting country must include 3 pieces of information: container number, consignee, and person signing the commercial contract.

After understanding the procedures, your country will conduct on-site quarantine and laboratory testing of goods upon arrival. Accordingly, fresh fruit must meet the following quarantine testing requirements:

• Do not mix or contain other fruits not listed in the Phytosanitary Certificate/Deed that may be mixed.
• The packaging must fully state the fruit name, origin, packaging factory or business code in Chinese or English.
• No pesticide residues such as quarantine pests, soil, branches, leaves that China prohibits from entering.
• The amount of detected toxic substances shall not exceed the relevant Chinese safety and health standards.
• Where an exporting country or territory has an agreement or protocol with China, it must also comply with the relevant requirements of the agreement or protocol.

After the on-site inspection, the appraiser will take samples for laboratory testing. The designated Customs Department/Sub-Department/Office at the border gate, after conducting the on-site inspection and having the results at the laboratory, will:

• For cases that meet quarantine requirements, the General Administration of Customs of China will issue a “Plant and Animal Import Permit” to allow customs clearance of imported goods.
• For cases that do not meet the requirements, the Import Permit will not be granted and the individual requesting quarantine will be clearly notified of the reason.
• In cases where quarantine detects harmful organisms, dangerous plants or pests or common pests that exceed the permitted regulations but can be disinfected and eliminated, after the treatment meets the standards, the General Administration of Customs of China will issue a “Plant and Animal Import Permit” to allow customs clearance of the goods. In cases where the treatment cannot be completed, the goods will be returned to the exporting country or destroyed according to regulations.

After completing the import quarantine application procedures and receiving a license, if the owner or authorized person falls into one of the following cases, the quarantine application procedures must be re-conducted:

• Increase the quantity or change the type of imported fruit.
• Change export country or region.
• Change import port.
• Exceeding the validity period of the quarantine permit.

Note: One of the important requirements of the Chinese quarantine authority is that during the procedures related to quarantine inspection, the goods must be kept in the designated place, not moved, traded or used, to avoid the spread of harmful organisms.

What to Prepare When Exporting Agricultural Products (Fruits, Vegetables, Roots) to China

Regulations and procedures, quarantine for exporting a container of agricultural products (vegetables, tubers, fruits) to China? How to distribute agricultural products in China.

So after completing the above steps, how should the exporter prepare his goods to export to China smoothly?

Steps to Prepare Goods for Exporting Fruit to China

1/ The exporting unit needs to prepare sufficient quantity and quality of goods, packaging, preservation,… to fully meet the conditions specified in the contract, specifically:

• Prepare labor, tools, and means of transporting products during harvest, prepare the ground and warehouse to collect products for processing and packaging, and set up stations or purchasing points at farms and gardens of farmers.
• Do a good job of propaganda to remind each person about the terms agreed upon in the contract with China, so that farm owners are aware of the importance of harvesting, avoiding bruises and damage, and selecting good fruits that meet export standards to China.
• Due to the nature of fresh agricultural products that cannot be preserved for long, they must be transported to the factory and packaged within the day and put into cold storage or refrigerated containers. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a team that knows how to pack and handle problems that arise during packaging as soon as the goods arrive at the warehouse.

2/For fruit production units that do not have the need or cannot directly export, they can authorize another unit to export.

3/ For units specializing in export business, it is necessary to exploit export goods sources by means such as purchasing goods according to plans, orders, exchanging goods… under contract forms such as: Purchase and sale contracts, exchange contracts, export entrustment contracts… After signing the contract, the unit will receive goods for export, packaging, marking codes…, must comply with relevant regulations of the Chinese Government and the content signed with Chinese customers.

Check Goods

Before delivery, the exporter must check the quantity, weight, quality (inspection) and the possibility of spreading diseases (quarantine) of the exported agricultural products. This inspection is carried out both at the unit and at the border gate.

Quarantine at the unit is issued by the Plant Quarantine Sub-Department with a plant quarantine certificate. In case the State regulates or at the request of the buyer, it will be necessary to invite an independent inspection unit.

Procedure for Inspection of Goods Exported to China

• Submit application for appraisal including Appraisal Request, Contract, L/C.
• The appraisal agency conducts on-site appraisal of goods and analyzes samples in the laboratory.
• The inspection agency shall notify the results and issue a temporary certificate for customs clearance (if required).
• Check warehouse hygiene.
• Monitor the shipping process.
• The certifying agency issues the official certificate.

Customs Procedures for Exporting Agricultural Products to China

Businesses need to submit the following documents to customs authorities:

• Customs Declaration.
• Sale Contract.
• Packing List.
• Phytosanitary Certificate.
• Certificate of Origin.
• Bill of Lading.
• Invoice. Other requirements (if any).
• Import license.
• Certificate of inspection.

Vehicle Rental and Delivery for Transport

• Goods are mainly transported by road by truck or container.
• The rental of means of transport can be carried out by the seller (exporter) or the buyer (importer).
• The seller (exporter) will have to hire a means of transport if the export contract stipulates that the seller hires a means of transport to transport the goods.

In addition, you can refer to other methods to help preserve fresh agricultural products for a long time, reduce post-harvest losses to only 5% – 10% and ensure export standards to China , … and further to Europe, America, Korea, Japan, … by sea.

Official Agricultural Products Export Service to China by Sea – SANCOPACK

SANCOPACK is one of the leading units in the field of exporting agricultural products to China by sea. We are committed to providing customers with the best and most effective agricultural export services.

We have a team of experienced, professionally trained staff, always ready to support customers in the process of exporting agricultural products to China. We use safe and timely means of transportation to bring customers’ goods to China quickly and safely.

In addition, we also ensure the settlement of customs procedures and legal documents related to the export of agricultural products to China. This helps our customers not to worry about issues related to procedures and documents.

With many years of experience and reputation in the field of agricultural export, we are committed to providing customers with the highest quality, guaranteed and most effective agricultural export services. Please contact us for advice and support in the process of exporting agricultural products to China by sea.

>> See More: Official Export of Agricultural Products to China by Sea – Export Support from A to Z