Ningbo Customs:
Our company is a food exporter. With the Lantern Festival approaching, we are preparing to export a batch of Tangyuan. Could you advise on the key considerations for exporting this product?
Mr. Xu, a reader from Ningbo
Dear Mr. Xu,
Hello! Tangyuan are glutinous rice balls typically filled with sweet or savory ingredients like sesame, red bean paste, walnuts, jujube paste, or even minced pork. Before exporting Tangyuan, several procedures, such as registration and export declaration, need to be completed. Here are the specifics:
■ What are the quality requirements for exporting Tangyuan?
Manufacturers of exported Tangyuan must ensure that their products comply with the standards of the importing country (region) or those specified in the contract. If there are special requirements in international treaties or agreements to which China is a party, those requirements must also be met.
If the importing country (region) lacks relevant standards, the contract does not specify any requirements, and there are no applicable requirements from international treaties or agreements to which China is a party, the manufacturer must ensure that the exported Tangyuan comply with China's national food safety standards.
The manufacturer's registration number, product name, production batch number, and production date must be clearly marked on the transport packaging.
It is worth noting that traditional Ningbo Tangyuan may contain lard in their fillings, or may be exported with meat fillings. In such cases, special attention must be paid to the market access requirements of the importing country (or region) for animal-derived foods.
■ What conditions must manufacturers of exported Tangyuan meet?
Manufacturers of exported Tangyuan must establish a comprehensive and traceable food safety and sanitation control system to ensure that the production, processing, and storage processes consistently comply with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and safety and sanitation requirements for export food manufacturers. If there are special requirements in the laws and regulations of the importing country (region) or in relevant international treaties and agreements, those must also be met.
Furthermore, manufacturers must establish a supplier evaluation system, an incoming inspection record system, a production record-keeping system, a pre-shipment inspection record system, an export food traceability system, and a non-conforming food disposal system. All relevant records must be authentic and valid. Records shall be retained for no less than six months after the food’s expiry date. For products without a specified expiry date, the retention period shall not be less than two years.
■ What registrations are required before exporting Tangyuan?
(I) Registration of raw material growing bases
The General Administration of Customs (GACC) mandates that growing bases for vegetables (including cultivated edible fungi), tea, rice, and farms supplying poultry, eggs, pork, rabbit meat, bee products, and aquatic products must be filed with the Customs. For exported Tangyuan that use the above-mentioned products as primary raw materials, these ingredients must originate from farms and bases that have been filed with the Customs.
(II) Registration of manufacturing enterprises
Manufacturers of exported Tangyuan must apply for registration as an export food manufacturer with the competent Customs authority in their locality. This is done by submitting the “Application Form for Export Food Manufacturer Registration” through the “Internet + Customs” integrated online platform. The enterprise is responsible for the authenticity of all submitted documents and must commit to meeting the relevant standards. Upon review and approval by the Customs, enterprises that meet the statutory conditions will receive the “Certificate of Export Food Manufacturer Registration,” thereby qualifying them to export Tangyuan.
■ How should the export declaration for Tangyuan be handled?
Tangyuan is classified as stuffed pasta under the HS code 1902.2000.00.
The exporter or its agent shall declare the goods to the Customs at the place of origin for inspection and quarantine through the international trade “Single Window”. If the products are found compliant after on-site inspection and supervisory sampling by the Customs, the Customs will issue an electronic customs declaration record and, if applicable, any necessary certificates, thereby releasing the goods for export.
The exporter or its agent shall then lodge the export declaration with the Customs through the same “Single Window” to complete the customs clearance procedures. When making the declaration, the product name, ingredient content, and processing method (e.g., stuffed) must be provided in accordance with the standard declaration requirements.
(By Wu Biao, Deputy Chief of the Inspection Section of Ningbo Airport Customs, and Yu Qilin, Chief of the Food Safety Section I of the Food Safety Division, Ningbo Customs)
February 28, 2026, People's Daily Overseas Edition (Contributed by the Food Safety Division and Airport Customs)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of People's Daily Overseas Edition. The People's Daily Overseas Edition version shall prevail.
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