I. Eligibility Criteria and Required Documentation
To export fresh fruit, orchards and packing facilities must first be registered with Customs. To that end, a written application for registration must be submitted to the local Customs authority, accompanied by all necessary supporting documents.
(I) Registration for New Applicants
Fresh fruit orchards seeking initial registration must comply with the following requirements: continuous cultivation area exceeding 100 mu; free from pollution sources affecting fruit production in the surrounding area; staffed with full-time or part-time plant protection experts responsible for pest monitoring, prevention and control; a well-documented quality management system must be established, covering materials concerning organizational structure, personnel training, pest monitoring and control, agrochemical usage management, and good agricultural practices; no major plant disease outbreaks in the past two years; compliance is also required with any special registration conditions set forth in applicable bilateral agreements, protocols, or the laws and regulations of the destination country/region. The required documents include: Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Orchards; schematic diagram and layout plan of the orchard.
Fresh fruit packing facilities seeking initial registration must comply with the following requirements: the facility must maintain clean premises with dedicated raw material storage and finished goods warehouses meeting fruit preservation standards; there are clearly segregated functional zones for fruit receiving, processing, treatment, and storage with proper layout, physically separated from living quarters at appropriate distances; the facility must be equipped with quarantine-compliant facilities for washing, processing, pest and disease control, as well as disinfection; the water sources used for fruit processing and agricultural chemicals applied must comply with food hygiene standards and the requirements of importing countries or regions; a comprehensive hygiene quality management system shall be established, covering fruit supply, processing, packaging, storage, and transportation. Detailed records must be maintained for fruit traceability, epidemic prevention measures, pest detection, and hazardous substance monitoring; dedicated or part-time plant protection experts shall be appointed to oversee the implementation of epidemic prevention measures during raw material acceptance, processing, packaging and storage; the control of hazardous substances; the disposal of rejected fruits; and final product self-inspection; the facility must either possess orchards with adequate production capacity to meet its processing needs or maintain established supply agreements with such orchards; compliance is also required with any special registration conditions set forth in applicable bilateral agreements, protocols, or the laws and regulations of the destination country/region. The required documents include: Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Packaging Facilities; Facility layout plan, packaging process flow chart, and a brief description of the packaging operations; A list of source orchards supplying fruits, along with copies of production and procurement agreements between the packaging facility and the orchards.
(II) Amendment of Registration Information
An application for amendment of registration information must be filed with Customs by the registered fresh fruit orchard or packing facility in any of the following situations: expansion of the fruit orchard's cultivation area; a change in the orchard's lessee, manager, or plant protection experts; a change in the packing facility's legal representative or manager; a change in the registered orchards that supply the packing facility; a change in the fruit varieties processed by the packing facility; or other material alterations. The required documents include: an application for amendment; and supporting documentation in support of the amendment (including a description of the production processes affected by the change, and proof of compliance with relevant industrial policies).
(III) Re-application for Registration
The registered fresh fruit orchard or packing facility is required to file a new registration application with Customs under any of the following circumstances: relocation of a fruit orchard or a complete change in its cultivated fruit varieties; reconstruction, significant expansion, or relocation of a packing facility; and other fundamental changes. The required documents are the same as those specified under “(I) Registration for New Applicants”.
(IV) Renewal or Cancellation of Registration
The registration certificate remains valid for a period of three years. A renewal application must be filed with the local Customs authority by the fresh fruit orchards and packing facilities no later than three months before the registration expires. Similarly, an application for cancellation must be filed with the local Customs authority so as to terminate the registration.
II. Application Guidelines: Process and Platform
Fresh fruit orchards and packing facilities should log in to the integrated online service platform of Customs (link: https://online.customs.gov.cn/) and submit an online application along with electronic application materials to their local Customs authority.
Following acceptance, the application undergoes a comprehensive review in accordance with all legal stipulations and procedures. Customs shall render a decision on approval or rejection within 20 working days from the date of application acceptance.
Where the application satisfies all requirements, Customs shall issue a written decision approving the registration and a registration certificate in the form of an electronic license to the applicant. Where the application fails to meet the requirements, Customs shall issue a written decision denying registration.
