【 Customs Knowledge 】 Regulations on the Registration and

Regulations on the Registration and Management of Overseas Production Enterprises of 18 Categories of Food

 

On April 12, 2021, the General Administration of Customs issued Order No. 248 on the Administration of Registration of Overseas Production Enterprises of Imported Food of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Administration Regulations"), and the new regulations will come into effect from January 1, 2022.

 

 

 

The new management regulations introduce the risk management principles of the Food Safety Law, adopting the "official recommended registration" model for overseas production enterprises of 18 categories of food, and the simplified "enterprise independent application" model for overseas production enterprises of other foods outside of 18 categories, thereby further improving the efficiency of registration management. The materials required to submit under the "Official Recommendation Registration" mode are relatively complex, while the application materials under the "Enterprise Application Registration" mode are much simpler. This article takes you to understand the relevant content of registration management for 18 types of overseas food production enterprises.

 

 

 

What are the 18 categories of food that adopt the "official recommended registration" model

 

 

 

Meat and meat products, casings, aquatic products, dairy products, bird's nest and bird's nest products, bee products, egg and egg products, edible fats and oils, stuffed pasta, edible grains, industrial products and malt for grain milling, fresh and dehydrated vegetables, as well as dried beans, seasonings, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, unbaked coffee beans and cocoa beans, special dietary foods, and health foods.

 

 

笔记

 

Why is the "official recommended registration" model implemented for 18 categories of food

 

 

 

Based on the analysis of factors such as raw material sources, production and processing techniques, food safety historical data, consumer groups, and consumption methods of food, and in combination with international practices, it is determined that overseas production enterprises of 18 types of food will adopt the "official recommended registration" model.

 

 

 

What materials are required for registration of overseas production enterprises of Class 03 and 18 food products

 

 

 

The competent authorities of the country (region) where the enterprise is located shall conduct an audit and inspection of the recommended registration, confirm that it meets the registration requirements, and then recommend registration to the General Administration of Customs and submit the following application materials:

 

 

 

（1） Letter of recommendation from the competent authority of the country (region) where it is located;

 

（2） List of enterprises and application for enterprise registration;

 

（3） Enterprise identification documents, such as business licenses issued by the competent authorities of the country (region) where the enterprise is located;

 

（4） A statement from the competent authority of the country (region) where the enterprise meets the requirements of this regulation;

 

（5） The review report of the competent authority of the country (region) where the relevant enterprise is located for audit and inspection.

 

（6） When necessary, the General Administration of Customs may request the provision of enterprise food safety, hygiene, and protection system documents, such as floor plans of enterprise factories, workshops, and cold storage, as well as process flow diagrams.

 

 

 

It should be noted that if there is a risk analysis or evidence indicating a change in the risk of a certain type of food, the General Administration of Customs may conduct registration and application materials for overseas production enterprises of the corresponding food; If there are other agreements between the relevant countries (regions) and China regarding the registration method and application materials, the agreement between the two parties shall prevail.

 

 

 

 

What are the registration management evaluation procedures for overseas production enterprises of imported food in 04

 

 

 

(1) The General Administration of Customs shall organize a review team on its own or entrust relevant institutions to conduct evaluation and review of imported food overseas production enterprises applying for registration through written inspections, video inspections, on-site inspections, and their combinations.

 

 

 

(2) The General Administration of Customs shall, based on the evaluation and review results, register overseas production enterprises of imported food that meet the requirements and provide a registration number in China, and notify the competent authorities of the country (region) or overseas production enterprises of imported food in writing; Overseas production enterprises of imported food that do not meet the requirements shall not be registered and shall be notified in writing to the competent authorities of the country (region) where they are located or to the overseas production enterprises of imported food.

 

 

 

The new version of the Management Regulations adds various forms of evaluation and review, such as written inspection, video inspection, and on-site inspection, making the review forms more diverse and flexible.

 

 

 

 

What should be done if there is a change in the registration information of an imported food overseas production enterprise during the registration validity period

 

 

 

If there is a change in the registration information of an imported food overseas production enterprise during the registration validity period, it shall submit a change application to the General Administration of Customs through the registration application channel, and submit the following materials:

 

 

 

（1） Comparison table of registration change information;

 

（2） Supporting materials related to the change of information. If the General Administration of Customs deems it feasible to make changes after evaluation, the changes shall be made.

 

If the production site is relocated, the legal representative is changed, or the registration number granted by the country (region) where it is located is changed, a new application for registration should be made, and the registration number in China will automatically become invalid.

 

 

 

Although registration changes are mentioned in the current management regulations