Entry Permit for Animals, Plants and Their Products - What You Need to Know About Quarantine Approval!

 

 

On December 31, 2024, the General Administration of Customs issued the Announcement on Streamlining Special Quarantine Approval Procedures for Entry Animals and Plants, aiming to enhance approval efficiency for special quarantine procedures, support germplasm resource imports, promote development in seed industries and biomedicine, and better adapt to evolving international trade dynamics and biosafety requirements.

Entry animal and plant quarantine plays a vital role in preventing the introduction of exotic diseases and pests, safeguarding domestic agricultural production, ecological security and public health, while facilitating international trade and maintaining economic safety. The animal and plant quarantine approval system is an administrative licensing measure implemented by the state to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases and toxic pests through relevant products.

Today, let's explore everything you need to know about entry animal and plant quarantine approval!

I. Approval Scope

In accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Quarantine Inspection and Approval of Entry Animals and Plants (Fourth Revision under Order No. 262 of the General Administration of Customs), items requiring quarantine approval include entry animals (including transiting animals), animal and plant products, as well as prohibited entry articles subject to special approval. For specific listings, refer to the Catalog of Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Approvals (Announcement No. 2, 2002 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine).

 

 

Entry animals

 

 

Animal and Plant Products

 

 

Prohibited Entry Items Requiring Special Approval

 

 

In recent years, the General Administration of Customs has been issuing announcements to dynamically adjust the quarantine approval catalog based on evolving risk assessments and changing quarantine statuses of imported animal and plant products.

II. Application Requirements

(I) Applicant Eligibility

1. Entities applying for quarantine approval must possess independent legal personality and be directly engaged in executing foreign trade contracts or agreements.

2. For transit animals, the applicant shall be an entity with independent legal personality that directly executes foreign trade contracts/agreements, or its authorized agent.

TIPS:

Enterprises must possess the required certifications for specific product categories prior to initiating corresponding quarantine approval procedures.

(II) Application Time

1. Applicants must apply to the competent authority for the Quarantine Licence before executing any trade contract or agreement.

2. For transit animals, applicants shall apply to the General Administration of Customs and secure the Quarantine Licence before the commencement of transit operations.

(III) Quarantine Requirements

1. The exporting and transit countries/regions must be free from relevant animal and plant epidemics;

2. Compliance with China's legal framework on animal and plant quarantine, including relevant administrative regulations;

3. Adherence to bilateral quarantine agreements (encompassing agreements, protocols, and memoranda) established between China and the exporting country/region.

(IV) Access Requirements

Products subject to licensing must appear on China's approved access list. Relevant information can be verified through the General Administration of Customs website: For animal/plant-related queries, visit the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine portal (http://dzs.customs.gov.cn/); For animal/plant-derived food products, access the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety platform (http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/).

III. Approval Application

(I) Application Channels

Access the "Internet Plus Customs" platform (http://online.customs.gov.cn/), navigate to the "Administrative Approvals - Quarantine Approval for Imported Designated Animal/Plant Products" module, select the appropriate category and complete the relevant information.

(II) Required Documentation

1. For imported animals requiring quarantine isolation, submit a valid Certificate for Designated Quarantine Facilities Utilization of Imported Animals.

2. For designated post-entry production/processing/storage of animal/plant products, submit facility information and supporting documents demonstrating Customs-compliant operational capabilities.

3. For animal transit operations, provide: (a) detailed transit route description, (b) animal health certificate (copy) issued by exporting country/region's official quarantine authority, and (c) import permit documentation issued by receiving country/region's official quarantine authority.

4. For special needs such as scientific research requiring the importation of prohibited items specified in Paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, a written application must be submitted in advance detailing the quantity, intended use, import method, and post-entry quarantine measures. This should be accompanied by the scientific research project proposal and approval documents from the relevant competent authorities.

(III) Processing Timeline

The Customs authorities shall issue a Quarantine Licence or a Notice of Unapproved Application within 20 days from the date of application acceptance by the initial review department, based on examination results. If a licensing decision cannot be rendered within 20 days, the timeframe may be extended for 10 days with approval from the Commissioner of the General Administration of Customs, with the extension rationale communicated to the applicant.

TIPS:

The applicant shall reapply for a Quarantine Licence under any of the following circumstances:

(1) Alteration of the type of imported quarantine objects or exceeding the approved quantity by over 5%;

(2) Change in the country or region of origin;

(3) Alterations to the port of entry, designated destination, or transportation route.

 

 

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Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Shijiazhuang Customs 12360. The Shijiazhuang Customs 12360 version shall prevail.