Navigating Regulations & Clearance for Frozen Squid Imports

 

 

Driven by the rapid expansion of China's domestic catering market and food processing industry, demand for imported frozen squid continues to grow, owing to its rich nutritional profile and versatile culinary applications. So, what does it take to import frozen squid successfully? Here’s a breakdown of the essential regulations and clearance procedures.

I. Defining Frozen Squid: Categories and Forms

Frozen squid refers to frozen aquatic products made from fresh squid that undergo cleaning, preparation, and quick-freezing. To preserve freshness and quality, the productmust be maintained at -18°C or below throughout processing, storage, and transportation. It is commonly marketed in several forms, primarilywhole frozen,eviscerated frozen, and sliced or ringed frozen.

II. Frozen Squid Imports: Sourcing from Approved Countries

China enforces market access controls on imported frozen aquatic products (including frozen squid). All imported aquatic products must be sourced from countries or regions included in the "National Food Catalogues of Traditional Trade & Meet the Requirements of Export to China". This requirement applies explicitly to frozen squid. Importers can check the latest version of this catalogue, which is dynamically updated by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on its official website.

III. Eligibility Criteria for Businesses

Overseas production facilities (including processing plants and cold storage facilities) intending to export frozen squid to China must be registered with China’s GAC, and this registration requires a prior recommendation from the competent authority of the facility's home country or region. The GAC reviews all applications and registers those that meet the requirements, subsequently publishing an official list of approved enterprises. This list is publicly accessible and can be queried on the official website ofGAC via the dedicated portal for "Registration information of overseas manufacturers of imported food". In addition to producer registration, overseas exporters or agents of frozen squid must complete a separate filing procedure with the GAC. Domestically, Chinese importers are required to file with the Customs authorities at their place of business. The GAC publishes both lists – one for overseas and one for domestic entities – which are accessible via its "Registration Systems of Imported Food and Cosmetic Importers and Exporters".

IV. Standards for Imported Frozen Squid: Key Compliance Requirements

Imported frozen squid must adhere to all applicable Chinese laws, regulations, and current national food safety standards, as encompassed by the following key provisions:

1. National Food Safety StandardFresh, Frozen Aquatic Products of Animal Origin (GB 2733-2015).

2. National Food Safety Standard -Aquatic Products of Animal Origin (GB 10136-2015).

3. The use of food additives is governed by theNational Food Safety Standard - Food Additive - Standard for Use (GB 2760-2024).

4. Labeling of pre-packaged frozen squid is subject to both the National Food Safety Standard - General Standard for theLabeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2025) and National Standard on Food Safety - National Label Standards for Pre-packaged Food (GB 28050-2025).

5. Other parameters, such as pesticide residues and contaminants, are governed by the latest applicable national food safety standards.

V. The Import Declaration: Essential Documentation

For Customs clearance of frozen squid, importers must present the required documentation, which includes, but is not limited to:

1. Official health certificateissued by the competent authority of the exporting country or region.

2. The certificate of origin is required in cases where the product qualifies for preferential duty rate under a trade agreement.

3. A detailed cargo list itemizing product variety, specifications, production batch numbers, and the corresponding overseas producer registration codes, etc.

4. Other standard trade documents such as the commercial contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading or waybill.

VI. Customs Inspection and Compliance Verification

Upon entering a Chinese port, imported frozen squid is subject to a series of inspection, quarantine, and supervision procedures by Customs. Key steps include:

1. Document Review. This step involves verifying the completeness and validity of all submitted paperwork.

2. On-site Inspection. It is conducted at facilities designated or approved by Customs, which must meet specific requirements for handling imported aquatic products.

3. Laboratory Testing.It involves testing the submitted samples for relevant safety and quality parameters.

Customs conducts a conformity assessment of the imported frozen squid based on the combined results of the document review, on-site inspection, and laboratory testing, and thus records the outcome accordingly. Following a compliant assessment, Customs issues the requisiteInspection and Quarantine Certificate of Entry Goods, leading to the release of the goods. In cases of non-compliance that is correctable or remediable according to regulations, the declarant is required to make the necessary corrections by amending the declaration or supplementing the information, accompanying documents, or other required materials as stipulated. However, for non-compliance that is not correctable or remediable according to regulations, the goods are handled according to the actual circumstances, which may involve transfer to the relevant authorities for disposal.

For complete regulatory details, please consult the official texts governing these procedures, such as the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (Order No. 280 of the General Administration of Customs) and the Administrative Measures of the People’s Republic of China for the Safety of Food for Import or Export (Order No. 249 of the General Administration of Custom).