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What is the GACC registration?
Registration with the GACC is mandatory for producers from outside of China who wish to sell their food products and for exporters who wish to export the goods into the Chinese market.
These are two separate processes, both under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Chinese Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). After the restructuring in 2018, the GACC took over the inspection and quarantine for the import and export of animals, and the supervision of food safety evidence for imported and exported food, which was previously the responsibility of the AQSIQ.
Importing food into China is subject to various food law approval and registration requirements. In addition to registration with the GACC, certain sensitive food products, such as cereal products or aquatic products, are also subject to additional restrictions regarding their country of origin.
GACC registration requires classification into various product categories specified by GACC. The classification is not always as simple as it may first appear, since some products are food mixtures or even in their application cannot be clearly assigned to one of the specified product categories. One example could be for which product category a schnapps chocolate should be classified. Would it me chocolate or alcohol?
The way a product is marketed can also influence which type of food approval is required. For example, a protein powder could be marketed as a dietary supplement, or as a food to support exercise, each of which falls into different product categories.
What foods need GACC Approval for China?
Since January 1, 2022, according to Decrees No. 248 and 249, all foreign food manufacturers involved in production, processing, and storage, the various food categories they produce, as well as foreign food exporters, must be registered with the GACC.
For foreign food manufacturers, there are two routes for GACC registration: recommendation by the competent authority and self-registration by the company. Incorrect product classification or choosing the wrong registration route can directly result in the failure of the registration.
Food products that must be registered through official recommendation are considered high-risk products.
The first group of food products for which an official recommendation is required comprises a total of 17 categories:
- Meat and meat products
- Casings
- Bird’s nests and bird’s nest products
- Honey products
- Eggs and egg products
- Edible oils and fats
- Stuffed pasta products
- Edible grains
- Grain milling products and malt
- Dehydrated vegetables
- Spice blends
- Nuts and seeds
- Dried fruits
- Foods for special dietary purposes
- Health foods
- Dairy products
- SeafoodThe first group of food products for which an official recommendation is required comprises a total of 17 categories:
For other products that are not included in this dynamically managed high-risk list, such as frozen fruit, alcoholic beverages, biscuits, fine bakery products, bread, confectionery, sweets, chocolate, condiments, etc., the manufacturer may apply for registration directly with the GACC.
GACC Registration process for Producers
Food products subject to recommendation
When exporting products such as meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs, honey, nuts, or other food products included in the list of 17 high-risk categories to China, the foreign manufacturer must first clarify with the competent local food authority whether the requirements for recommended registration with the GACC are met.
It must then be determined whether the registration will be carried out
- as part of an authority-coordinated collective registration, or
- submitted by the company itself on the basis of an inspection report and recommendation letter issued by the competent authority.
Food product
High-risk food products?
If yes: Recommendation to GACC by food authority
Producer registration
Import to China
Food product
High-risk food products?
If no: Producer registration
Import to China
Foods subject to GACC approval
For foods requiring GACC registration, we will be happy to walk you through the entire GACC registration process and submit the application for you in the singlewindow portal.
Note:
There is no physical certificate for GACC registration. The only proof of successful registration is the registration number in China, which can be accessed on the website of the Chinese customs authority. Any documents issued by third parties and referred to as a “GACC registration certificate” are not official documents of the customs authority.
Procedure of a GACC Registration for Exporters
According to GACC Decree No. 249, foreign exporters or agents responsible for exporting food to China must be registered in the customs system before customs clearance. After successful registration, the customs authority assigns a unified 18-digit code for use in customs declaration.
Note: After successful registration, the GACC does not issue a certificate. This registration is valid indefinitely.
Marking Products with the GACC Registration Number
After receiving the Chinese registration number, the food producer must affix it to the packaging of the product. It must also be indicated in the customs documents.
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GACC Registration Overview
Producer Registration
| Validity of Registration | 5 years |
| Certification timeframe | Recommendation products: Depends on the processing speed of the relevant authorities. It will take at least 4 to 6 months. |
| Registration products: Depending on the processing speed of the GACC, it usually takes around two months. |
|
| Marking | With registration Number |
| Tests necessary? | No, but the GACC has the right to ask for random samples |
| Factory audit necessary? | No |
| China authorised representative | No |
| Follow-up process | No |
Exporter registration:
| Validity of registration | Valid indefinitely |
| Certification duration | 5 working days after submission of the registration documents |
| Application requirements | The application must be submitted by a Chinese agency that has the qualifications specified in GACC Announcement No. 105 [2024]. |
GACC APPROVAL FAQ
Yes. Each food production site will require its own registration profile and will receive its own registration number.
No. GACC assigns registration numbers per food product category at a location. This means that there is a different registration number for dairy products than for chocolate products, for example.
Companies involved in production, processing, storage and exporters.
6 months prior to expiration you can apply for an extension.
A change request must be submitted to GACC within 60 days of the change.
For Foods Subject to Recommendation, you will receive notification from the agency. For foods subject to registration, you must follow up on this yourself.
The table above can give you a general idea. For any further detailed questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!
No. This is not required by the authorities. However, there are contradictory statements on the Internet, which may be based on economic interests.
Yes, you need to register as an exporter with GACC.
Food registration as a producer and registration as an exporter are two separate registrations with GACC. You will need both.
If there are any changes in operating data, requirements for export to China, or product information, a change application must be submitted.
Video about the GACC registration for food in China
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