According to the National Food Safety Standards for Beverages (GB 7101-2022), a beverage is aquantitatively packaged product intended for direct consumption or reconstitution, manufactured from one or more edible raw materials with or without the addition of auxiliary ingredients, food additives, or food nutritional fortificants, and containing no more than 0.5% ethanol by mass. It may also be referred to as a drink.
Prior to exporting their products, overseas beverage manufacturers must register as food enterprises with the relevant Chinese authorities. Applications are submitted via the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) System(https://cifer.singlewindow.cn/). Exportis permitted only after an enterprise has successfully completed registration and obtained its registration number in China.
The list of enterprises that have been granted the registration numbers in China is available for query through the “Registration Information of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food” portal (https://ciferquery.singlewindow.cn/). Key details to verify during a query include the enterprise's name, address, registration date, registration validity period, and current status.
Importers must complete their registration as food importers with the competent local customs authority prior to commencing import operations.
Registration applications can be submitted online via the International Trade “Single Window” or the “Customs Administrative Service Integration Platform”. Alternatively, applicants may submita paper“Consignee Registration Application Form” along with the required supporting documents to their local customs office.
Upon successful registration, the importer's information can be verified by querying the "Directory of Administrative Counterparts with Specific Qualifications" on the homepage of the Credit Publicity Platform of Import and Export Business of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (http://credit.customs.gov.cn/ccppwebserver/pages/ccpp/html/tradeTypeList.html).
Importers or their agents may choose the customs port at which to lodge the declaration. The declaration shall include, item by item,the product name, brand, country (region) of origin, specifications, quantity/weight, total value, production date (and/or batch number), and any other particulars as stipulated by the General Administration of Customs (GACC). The following documents shall also be submitted:
(1) Essential commercial documents, includingthe contract, invoice, packing list, and bill of lading (or waybill);
(2) The names and registration numbers of the overseas exporter (or agent) and the domestic importer, along with the import and sales records for the previous batch of the product;
(3) Certificates of conformity as mandated by applicable laws, regulations, bilateral agreements, or protocols (e.g.,Certificate of Origin, Sanitary Certificate);
(4) The original label, its Chinese translation, and the proposed Chinese label for the imported prepackaged beverage; for products bearingnutritional content claims, supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance;
(5) For products claiming health-related functions, the relevant administrative license or approval document issued by the competent authority;
(6) Any other certificates or documents as required. Paperless declarations shall comply with the applicable procedures for paperless processing.
Customs conducts on-site inspections of imported food in accordance with regulatory requirements. Pursuant to the annual National Imported Food Safety Supervision and Sampling Plan, a certain percentage of imported beverage shipments are selected for inspection. These inspections are conducted to verify both the compliance of the Chinese labels and that the levels of microorganisms, contaminants, food additives, and nutritional fortificants conform to all applicable standards. Importers shall submit to Customs officers the required documentation of conformity, including the original label and its Chinese translation, the proposed Chinese label sample for the product, and any other supporting certificates.
According to the Measures of the People’s Republic of China for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety, Customs conducts conformity assessments on imported food. This includes the evaluation and review of food safety management systems of countries (regions) exporting food to China, registration of overseas manufacturers, filing and conformity assurance of importers and exporters, approval of entry animal and plant quarantine, verification of accompanying certificates of conformity, documentary review, on-site inspection, supervision sampling, inspection of import and sales records, and any combinations thereof.
Customs conducts conformity assessment by integrating results from documentary review, physical goods inspection, label inspection, sensory evaluation, laboratory testing, and other relevant procedures, and formally records the results. Products meeting all requirements are assessed as conforming and cleared for import. For products that do not meet the requirements but for which rectification or supplementation is permitted by regulation, the declarant is required to correct or supplement the declaration information, accompanying documents, and related content as prescribed. Products assessed as non-conforming and for which no rectification or supplementation is possible shall be referred to the competent authorities for disposition according to the specific circumstances.
Customs conducts follow-up supervision and inspection of the registration status, import records, and sales records of beverage importers under its jurisdiction. Importers are required to establish and maintain a systematic record-keeping system for all food import and sales activities. These records, which may be maintained in either written or electronic form, must truthfully document all relevant information and shall be retained for a period of not less than six months after the product's expiration date. For products without a specified expiration date, there tention period shall be more than two years from the date of sale.
1. Choose Licensed Retailers. Verify the retailer's qualifications, such as a valid Food Business License, to ensure reliable sourcing and product traceability.
2. Examine the Label Carefully. Imported beverage labels should clearly display key information, including the country of origin, manufacturer, production date, expiration date, and ingredient list. Always check for these details.
3. Inspect the Packaging and Seal. Ensure the packaging is intact, the seal is fully closed, and the bottle cap is not bulging outward.
4. Verify the Official "ID". If in doubt, you may request the merchant to provide a copy of the Entry Goods Inspection and Quarantine Certificate issued by Customs. Cross-check the information on the certificate, such as the product name, country of origin, production date, expiration date, and batch number against the product itself.
(Chen Wengui)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
