Vegetables are among the most significant agricultural products exported by China. In recent years, China's vegetable export industry has been expanding rapidly, allowing an increasing number of nations and regions to savor the 'green essence' of Chinese agriculture. How do fresh vegetables initiate their export journey? This article will provide a comprehensive exploration.
I. The Threshold for Fresh Vegetable Exports
(I) Enterprises producing vegetables for export must obtain a Chinese food production license and register with the local customs authorities as an export food enterprise.
Procedure: Applicants should access the "Internet + Customs" integrated platform and navigate to the "Enterprise Management and Audit" section, or log in to the China International Trade "Single Window" platform, select the "Registration Application Form for Export Food Production Enterprise" module, fill out the "Export Food Production Enterprise Registration Application Form," and submit their applications, along with the required documentation, to the local customs authority. Within three business days of receipt, the competent customs authority will review the application. If all submitted documents are complete and meet the legal requirements, the "Certificate of Registration for Export Food Production Enterprise" will be issued.
(II) Fresh vegetable plantations intended for export must be registered with the local customs authorities.
Process: Applicants must access the "Internet + Customs" integrated platform to navigate to the "Enterprise Management and Audit" section, or visit the China International Trade "Single Window" and select the "Registration of Export Food Raw Material Plantations" module. They should prepare the necessary documents, including the "Registration Application Form for Export Food Raw Material Plantations," the plantation's layout plan, established quality and safety management systems for the plantation (such as organizational structure, guidelines for managing agricultural inputs, epidemic and disease monitoring protocols, toxic and hazardous substance controls, production and traceability recording systems), a copy of the plantation manager's or operator's identification, and a list of frequently used agricultural chemicals. The application and the required materials should be submitted online to the local customs authority. The local customs office responsible for the plantation's area will review the application documentations and, if deemed necessary, conduct on-site inspections. Upon verification that all submissions meet the stipulated requirements, registration approval will be granted.
Simultaneously, the "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Vegetables for Hong Kong and Macao" require customs authorities to implement a registration and record-filing system for vegetable planting bases and processing enterprises that supply vegetables to Hong Kong and Macao.
For the conditions and detailed procedures that applicants for the above-mentioned records must fulfill, they are advised to access the "Internet + Customs" integrated platform, proceed to the "Enterprise Management and Audit" section, and locate the relevant matters for consultation.
II. Export Procedures for Fresh Vegetables
(I) Exporters or their agents are required to submit declarations to the customs authorities located at the origin or collection area.
(II) Customs will process export declarations for fresh vegetables and conduct on-site inspection and quarantine on the goods in adherence to system instructions.
(III) Upon inspection and quarantine outcome compliance, or following effective disinfestation or technical treatments and subsequent re-inspection compliance, the customs will issue an electronic original account per regulations. Should the importing country or region request a phytosanitary certificate, it will be provided accordingly. If inspection and quarantine reveal non-compliance, lack of effective disinfestation or treatment options, or persistent non-compliance after treatment, the customs will issue a "Non-Conformity for Export Goods" and prohibit the export.
(IV) For export fresh vegetables conforming to inspection and quarantine standards but exceeding the specified validity period for such results, a reapplication for export inspection and quarantine is required.
(V) Customs will conduct ongoing oversight of the production and export activities of vegetable products to ensure continuous conformity with relevant standards and regulations.
III. Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Exporting Fresh Vegetables
(I) Basis for inspection and quarantine.
1. Relevant Chinese laws, regulations, standards and technical requirements pertaining to inspection and quarantine;
2. The legal, regulatory, and standard criteria of the importing country or region;
3. Bilateral agreements, protocols, and memoranda negotiated and signed between the importing country or region and China;
4. Stipulations outlined within the trade contracts, among other requirements.
(II) Fresh vegetable exports must adhere to the specified inspection and quarantine requirements provided herein.
1. Transportation packaging and labels must comply with the stipulated inspection and quarantine standards;
2. It is prohibited to include plant seeds other than those explicitly declared during shipment;
3. Shipments must not contain living insects, mites, mollusks, weeds, harmful organisms, soil, or any plant residues such as roots, stems, leaves, and fruits;
4. The detected levels of toxic and hazardous substances must be within acceptable limits as defined by the safety and health standards of the importing country or region;
5. For countries or regions having agreements or protocols with China, the related provisions must be adhered to as well.
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
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