With rising living standards, imported fruits have become a regular feature on dining tables across China. But how do these imported fruits safely reach our tables? This article explains how customs authorities conduct inspection, quarantine and supervision of imported fruits to safeguard national biosecurity.
I. What are the entry requirements for imported fruits?
The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) oversees nationwide inspection, quarantine and supervision of imported fruits, while local customs authorities implement these measures within their respective jurisdictions. Not all countries' fruits qualify for the Chinese market. The GACC enforces strict quarantine access protocols, permitting entry only for fruits from countries/regions that have passed rigorous risk assessments and obtained official quarantine approval.
Pursuant to the Implementation Regulations of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry-Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine, the Chinese government enforces a registration and accreditation system for overseas production, processing and storage facilities exporting animal and plant products to China. Consequently, both orchards and packaging facilities in exporting countries must obtain registration with the GACC, ensuring full compliance with Chinese inspection and quarantine standards throughout the entire supply chain from production to transportation.
II. What are the mandatory inspection and quarantine requirements for imported fruits?
(I) Customs authorities shall conduct inspection and quarantine procedures on imported fruits according to the following regulations:
1. Relevant Chinese laws, regulations, standards and technical requirements pertaining to inspection and quarantine;
2. Bilateral agreements concluded between the Chinese government and governments of exporting countries/regions;
3. Protocols signed between the GACC and competent inspection-quarantine authorities of exporting countries/regions;
4. Requirements stipulated in the Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine License of the People's Republic of China.
(II) For each consignment of imported fruits, the consignor or their agent must submit to Customs an original phytosanitary certificate issued by the official inspection and quarantine authority of the exporting country/region. Customs authorities will conduct rigorous verification of the phytosanitary certificate and related documentation to ensure the authenticity of fruit origin, cultivar, quantity, and other specified parameters. The phytosanitary certificate must comply with the following requirements:
1. The content and format of the phytosanitary certificate shall adhere to the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 12, Guidelines for Phytosanitary Certificates;
2. For fruits imported in containers, the container number must be specified on the phytosanitary certificate;
3. Countries that have established bilateral agreements (including agreements, protocols, or memoranda) with China must additionally comply with phytosanitary certificate requirements stipulated in such agreements.
(III) Imported fruits shall meet the following phytosanitary inspection requirements:
1. The shipment shall not contain mixed varieties or undeclared fruits beyond those specified in the phytosanitary certificate;
2. The fruit name, place of origin, and name/code of the packing facility must be clearly marked on the packaging boxes in Chinese or English;
3. Free from quarantine pests, soil, branches, leaves, or other plant debris prohibited under Chinese import regulations;
4. The detected levels of toxic and hazardous substances must not exceed the safety limits specified in Chinese regulations;
5. Exporting countries/regions must additionally comply with all stipulations outlined in any bilateral agreements or protocols with China.
(IV) Upon arrival at Chinese ports, customs officials will promptly conduct on-site inspection and quarantine controls on imported fruits in accordance with established operational protocols, including:
1. Verify compliance between shipments and accompanying documentation;
2. Verify phytosanitary certificates and packaging information against requirements in Articles 7 and 9 of the Measures for the Inspection, Quarantine and Supervision of Imported Fruits;
3. Inspect fruits for pests, disease symptoms, residual foliage, soil contamination, or signs of infestation;
4. If suspected pest infestation is identified during on-site quarantine, samples shall be sent to the laboratory for phytosanitary identification;
5. Samples shall be collected and submitted for laboratory testing in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
III. What administrative measures may Customs take based on quarantine inspection results of imported fruits?
(I) Upon passing inspection and quarantine, an Entry Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate will be issued to authorize clearance;
(II) When quarantine-regulated pests or other biologically significant organisms are detected, appropriate phytosanitary treatment shall be administered with the issuance of an Inspection and Quarantine Treatment Notice. Release will be permitted upon effective treatment;
(III) For non-compliance with Article 9 of the Regulations on Imported Fruit Inspection and Quarantine Supervision, discrepancies between cargo and documentation, or failed inspections without viable treatment options, a Notification of Inspection and Quarantine Treatment shall be issued requiring either return shipment or destruction under Customs supervision. Relevant inspection and quarantine certificates will be issued to support international trade claims when required.
(Author Affiliation: Tianjin Customs, P.R. China)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.