Edible fungi, a significant category among China's agricultural exports, have seen their export volume continuously expand in recent years, allowing more consumers worldwide to experience the unique charm of Chinese fungus flavors. What steps are involved in exporting edible fungi? Here is a detailed analysis.
I. Prerequisites for Exporting Edible Fungi
Enterprises producing edible fungi products for export must first obtain a food production license from China and apply for export food enterprise registration with their local customs authority. Cultivation farms for export-bound edible fungi are required to register with their local customs. Furthermore, if exporting to Hong Kong or Macao, China, the cultivation farm must apply for registration as a designated vegetable base for these areas.
II. Export Customs Clearance Procedures for Edible Fungi
(i) Application for Inspection and Quarantine: The shipper, goods owner, producer, or their agent should submit an application for pre-export inspection and quarantine to the customs authorities at the place of origin or consolidation.
(ii) Inspection and Quarantine: After accepting the inspection and quarantine application, customs will conduct on-site inspection and quarantine of the edible fungi in accordance with system-controlled instructions.
(iii) Outcome and Disposition: If inspection and quarantine are satisfactory, or satisfactory after effective disinfestation, technical treatment, and subsequent re-inspection/re-quarantine, customs will issue an electronic record; if required by the importing country or region, a phytosanitary certificate will be issued simultaneously. If the goods are non-compliant and no effective treatment is available, or if they remain non-compliant after treatment, customs will issue a “Notice of Non-compliance for Export Goods” and prohibit export.
(iv) Validity Period Management: Edible fungi that have passed inspection and quarantine will require a new application for inspection and quarantine if their prescribed inspection validity period is exceeded.
(v) Subsequent Supervision: Customs will conduct follow-up supervision over the entire production and export chain of edible fungi to ensure continuous product compliance with standards.
III. Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Exported Edible Fungi
(i) Basis for Inspection and Quarantine:
1. China’s laws, regulations, standards, and provisions concerning inspection and quarantine;
2. Laws, regulations, and standards of the importing country or region;
3. Bilateral agreements, protocols, and MoUs concluded between the importing country or region and China;
4. Trade contract requirements, etc.
(ii) Specific Compliance Requirements:
1. Transport packaging and labeling must strictly comply with the inspection and quarantine basis requirements mentioned above;
2. No unauthorized plant seeds or fungal strains are permitted to be mixed in;
3. The presence of harmful organisms such as insects, mites, mollusks, and extraneous fungi, as well as residues like culture substrates and spent mushroom compost, is strictly forbidden;
4. Detected levels of toxic and harmful substances must not exceed the maximum safety and hygiene standards of the importing country or region;
5. If the exporting country or region have an agreement or protocol signed with China, compliance with the relevant terms of such agreement or protocol is also mandatory.
(By Li Xuan, Yan Fei)
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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