By Han Jian
In the world of international trade, there exists a special group of “travelers”. Captivating with their vibrant colors and dynamic forms, they bring life and beauty into homes and public spaces. They are the imported ornamental aquatic animals.Yet, their journey from distant oceans to the Chinese interior, from foreign shores to domestic settings like household tanks, public aquariums, and oceanariums, is about more than crossing vast distances. It also carries the risk of introducing invasive species and spreading pathogens. For Customs and border inspectors, therefore, regulating this flow is itself a meticulous and ongoing journey - a mission to protect the country’s biosecurity.
I. What Are Imported Ornamental Aquatic Animals?
Under the regulations of the General Administration of Customs, imported ornamental aquatic animals refer to live fish, mollusks, crustaceans, jellyfish, echinoderms, cephalochordates, and amphibians, whether artificially cultivated or harvested from natural habitats, that are destined for ornamental display. This category also includes breeding materials such as semen and fertilized eggs. Imported reptiles, including turtles and terrapins, are subject to the same regulatory framework.
II. Import Procedures for Ornamental Aquatic Animals: Key Steps and Requirements
To ensure that ornamental aquatic animals enter China safely and legally, importers must follow a strict set of legally mandated procedures. This is not just a matter of regulatory compliance for businesses, but also a part of their social responsibility.
(I) Pre-Entry Approvals and Permits
Confirming the Access List: Not all species from all countries are cleared for import. The General Administration of Customs enforces a quarantine access system for ornamental aquatic animals. Before importing, companies must check that both the region/country of origin and the species are on the official List of Countries or Regions and Varieties Permitted for Aquatic Animals issued by the General Administration of Customs.
Securing Required Permits:Prior to signing trade contracts, the importer (consignee) or their authorized agent must apply to their local Customs authority for the Permit of the People's Republic of China for the Quarantine of Entry Animals and Plants. To do this, the company must first secure the Designated Quarantine Facility Certificate. With this certificate in hand, the application for the Permit of the People's Republic of China for the Quarantine of Entry Animals and Plants should then be submitted to the Customs authority that has jurisdiction over the chosen quarantine facility. Companies can submit all required materials through the integrated online service platform of Custom, under the dedicated module for “Quarantine Approval for Transit Animals and Import of Regulated Animals, Plants, and Their Products.”
(II) Customs Declaration and On-Site Inspection
Document Review: To complete the Customs declaration, the importer (consignee) or their authorized agent should present a complete set of supporting documents to Customs. This mandatory filing package comprises the Permit of the People's Republic of China for the Quarantine of Entry Animals and Plants, the official Inspection and Quarantine Certificate issued by the exporting country, alongside standard commercial documents such as the trade contract, bill of lading, packing list, and invoice.
On-Site Inspection: Upon arrival, the goods are subject to a rigorous, multi-point inspection by Customs officers. This involves verifying that the physical shipment matches the declared documentation, examining the packaging and mandatory labeling (which must display the product's common and scientific names, country of origin, and overseas producer details), conducting clinical examinations to detect signs of mortality or disease, and inspecting any packing water, ice, or dunnage for compliance.
(III) Isolation, Quarantine and Compliance
All imported ornamental aquatic animals must undergo a mandatory quarantine of at least 14 days at a designated quarantine facility. During this period, Customs authorities conduct the required clinical observations on the animalsand collect samples from them for mandatory laboratory testing to screen for diseases. Animals passing quarantine inspection are cleared for entry into the domestic market upon completion of the isolation period. Conversely, if invasive species or diseases are detected, the entire consignment will be seized and, as required by law, either destroyed or re-exported. Furthermore, the importer must arrange for the strict, environmentally sound decontamination of all quarantine-related waste, including any animal mortalities, waste water, and other waste materials.
For violations such as failure to obtain mandatory pre-entry quarantine approval, discrepancies between goods and documents, unauthorized removal of animals under quarantine, or selling goods that have not passed inspection, Customs will impose penalties in accordance with laws, regulations, and departmental rules, including the Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China, the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations, and the Measures on the Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Inward Aquatic Animals. These penalties may include substantial fines, revocation of licenses, and, in severe cases, criminal prosecution.
III. Customs Advisory
While the Customs clearance process for imported ornamental aquatic animals may appear intricate, it is, in essence, a vital safeguard within the nation's biosecurity framework. In other words, it serves as a critical measure for protecting China's ecological security in the long run. Companies are urged to proactively adhere to all laws and regulations, fully assume their primary responsibility, and contribute to upholding the integrity of import-export operations. As consumers, we should also cultivate greater legal awareness, refraining from the impulsive purchase of aquatic creatures with unclear or undocumented origins. By working in concert, we can fortify our collective biosecurity defenses at the border. This allows us to responsibly enjoy the wondrous diversity the world offers, while diligently safeguarding the health and harmony of our shared homeland.
(by an author fromTianjin Customs)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
