Ningbo Customs:
Our company is a trading firm based in Ningbo. We are planning to import a shipment of honey from overseas in the near future. As this is our first time handling this type of product, we would like to inquire: What requirements and procedures should we be aware of?
— Mr. Liu from Ningbo
Mr. Liu:
Bee products refer to edible substances produced during the life cycle and reproduction of bees for human consumption, including honey, royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen, as well as processed products derived from these raw materials. However, this definition excludes products where artificial additives have altered their inherent natural properties.
The imported honey your company inquires about refers to natural sweet substances produced when bees collect nectar, secretions, or honeydew from plants, mix them with their own secretions, and fully process the mixture through maturation. This falls within the scope of imported bee products. To ensure the safety of imported food products of terrestrial animal origin, including honey, customs conduct inspection and quarantine procedures and exercises regulatory management over such products.
Customs implements market access controls for imported food products of terrestrial animal origin, including bee products. Approved products for import are listed in the "Catalogue of Food Exported to China from Countries or Regions that Comply with Assessment and Review Requirements or Have Traditional Trading Relationships with China," which can be accessed through the website of the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Food products of terrestrial animal origin that are derived from relevant animals and remain unprocessed or retain the potential to transmit diseases despite processing are subject to import prohibitions under animal disease regulations. Such products are restricted if listed in the "List of Animals and Their Products Prohibited from Importation from Countries and Regions Where Animal Epidemics are Endemic" published by the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine, GACC, covered by alert notices for preventing the introduction of animal epidemics, or subject to import bans issued in risk alerts by the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety, GACC.
Overseas production enterprises manufacturing bee products for import must be recommended for registration to the GACC by the competent authority of their country or region. Only terrestrial animal-origin foods produced within the scope of registration during the validity period of such registration may be imported.
The list of overseas production enterprises registered for export to China, along with information on their registered products, can be accessed through the "Registration Management System of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food" (https://ciferquery.singlewindow.cn).
Overseas exporters or agents and importers of bee products may submit registration applications to customs through the International Trade Single Window or "Internet Plus Customs" platforms. Food importers may alternatively submit a paper-based "Consignee Registration Application Form" and supporting documents to the customs authority at their place of domicile.
Registration information for overseas exporters or agents and importers can be accessed through the "Directory of Administrative Counterparties with Specific Qualifications" section of the "China Customs Disclosure Platform of Enterprises' Import and Export Credit Information."
Required declaration documents include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Veterinary health certificate or sanitary certificate issued by the official authority of the exporting country or region, submitted in electronic format or as an electronic scan, with the original certificate retained by the consignee for reference.
(2) Test report issued by the official authority or a third-party testing institution of the exporting country or region (when explicitly required by alert notices or related documents issued by the GACC).
(3) Electronic scans of supporting documents such as trade contracts, through bills of lading, packing lists, container status information forms, and invoices, as necessary (all copies must bear the consignee's official seal).
(4) Product list (specifying varieties, corresponding facility registration numbers and production batch numbers, and production dates, provided by the importer or overseas manufacturer/exporter, unless this information is already detailed in the health certificate).
(5) Letter of commitment (declaration by the importer or overseas manufacturer/exporter regarding the accuracy of production batch numbers and the safety and sanitary quality of products, if required).
(6) Certificate of origin (if required).
(7) Other documents as required.
Customs conducts on-site inspections of imported foods, including honey, as required for supervisory purposes. Imported food products that are assessed as compliant by customs are cleared for import. Products determined to be non-compliant will receive a certificate of non-compliance issued by customs.
The above information is provided for your reference and we trust it will be of assistance.
Respondents:
(Wu Xue, Level III Principal Staff Member, Food Safety Section II, Food Safety Division, Ningbo Customs; Chen Hao, Deputy Chief, Import Section, Haishu Customs, Ningbo Customs District)
People's Daily (Overseas Edition), December 14, 2025 (Food Safety Division, Haishu 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.
