Fruit exports represent a vital part of China’s agricultural trade with other countries. To ensure exported fruit meets domestic and international food safety and phytosanitary standards for smooth access to global markets, Customs authority operates a mandatory registration system for all fruit orchards and packing facilities involved in the export trade.The article breaks down the registration framework for the fruit export clearance, walking through key requirements and procedures based on the latest policies and regulations to serve as a practical guide for industry participants.
1. Understanding Registration: Definition & Scope
(1) Mandatory or Optional
Registration is mandatory if stipulated in bilateral agreements or protocols between China and the importing country/region, or if explicitly required by the laws and regulations of importing country/region. In such scenarios, enterprises are obligated to formally submit a registration application for the specific orchards and packing facilities whose output is destined for that market. Shipments are permitted to export only upon formal recommendation by the General Administration of Customs and subsequent approval by the customs authority of importing country/region.
In the absence of such bilateral agreements, protocols or legal mandates of the importing country/region, fruit orchards and packing facilities,based on their business development needs, may opt for Customs registration to pursue export opportunities.
(2) Definition & Purpose
Registration entails the official review and ongoing oversight by Customs. This applies to fruit orchards and packing facilities involved in the export supply chain. The central aim is to ensure that the entire supply chain, from growing to packaging, complies with food safety and phytosanitary standards set by both China and the destination country/region.
2. Understanding Registration: Key Requirements
(1) Key Considerations for Registering Fruit Orchards for Export
Planting Requirements: A contiguous area of at least 100 mu dedicated to a single fruit variety.
Environmental Requirements: The site must be free from nearby pollution sources - such as hospitals, landfills, or chemical plants - that could compromise fruit safety or quality.
Personnel Requirements: Staffed with full-time or part-time plant protection experts responsible for pest monitoring, prevention and control.
Quality Management System: 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.
Pest Control: No major plant disease outbreaks in the past two years.
Additional Legal Requirements: 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.
(2) Key Considerations for Registering Fruit Packing Facilities for Export
Hygiene & Environment: Facilities must be maintained in a clean and tidy condition, including designated areas for raw material and finished product storage that satisfy fruit preservation specifications.
Facility Layout:The layout must ensure distinct zones for fruit receiving, processing, treatment, and storage, which are effectively segregated from any living quarters to prevent cross-contamination.
Required Facilities: The facility must include adequate washing, processing, and packaging equipment that meets quarantine standards, as well as necessary facilities for pest and disease control as well as phytosanitary treatment.
Water & Chemical Safety: All processing water and chemicals (e.g., sanitizers, preservatives) must meet both national food hygiene standards within China and any specific requirements of the destination country/region.
Quality Management System: A documented hygiene and quality management system must be established, covering fruit supply, processing, packaging, storage, and transportation. Detailed records must be maintained for fruit traceability, disease prevention and monitoring, and the detection of pests and toxic or hazardous substances.
Personnel Requirements: Dedicated or part-time plant protection officers shall be appointed to ensure phytosanitary and hazardous substance control throughout the operations, including raw material acceptance, processing, packaging, and storage, and to conduct final product self-inspection and rejected fruit disposal.
Source of Goods: The facility must either possess orchards with adequate production capacity to meet its processing needs or maintain established supply agreements with such orchards.
Additional Legal Requirements: 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.
3. Understanding Registration: The Application Process
Step 1: Prepare application materials. For fruit orchards, this includes submitting the Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Orchards, supported by documents such as schematic diagram and layout plan of the orchard. For packing facilities, required submissions comprise the Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Packaging Facilities, accompanied by facility layout plan, packaging process flow chart, and a brief description of the packaging operations, and any other stipulated materials.
Step 2: Submit application online. Access the integrated online service platform of “Internet plus Customs” (URL: http://online.customs.gov.cn) via the General Administration of Customs.Then, enter “Services”→“Administrative Approvals”→“Registration of Production, Processing and Storage Facilities for Specific Export Plants and Relevant Products as well as Other Quarantine Items”. Complete all required information in the specified sections and upload scanned copies of the prepared and stamped application documents.
Step 3: Understand the review process and timeline.
Acceptance: Upon submission, Customs will review the application for compliance with all requirements and decide whether to formally accept it for processing. Once accepted, a formal acceptance notice will be issued to the applicant.
Review: Following acceptance, the application undergoes a comprehensive review in accordance with all legal stipulations and procedures. Customs will undertake the review and is required to reach a decision within 20 working days from the date of acceptance.
Decision: Upon confirming that all conditions are met, the competent local Customs authority will, in accordance with the law, issue a formal written decision granting approval, followed by the issuance of the registration certificate. However, if the application fails to meet the conditions, a formal notice of disapproval will be issued. Customs shall render a decision on registration approval or rejection within 20 working days from the date of application acceptance.In cases where registration is approved, the competent local Customs authority will issue a registration certificate in the form of an electronic license.
4. Understanding Registration: Ongoing Obligations
Businesses must notify Customs and complete the appropriate procedures if any of the following occurs:
Modifications: Any significant change requires timely application to amend the registration. This includes, but is not limited to: expansion of the fruit orchard's cultivation area; a change in the orchard's lessee, manager, or plant protection officer; 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 it processes; or other material alterations.
Renewal: Registration is valid for three years. To maintain active status, an extension must be filed with Customs no later than three months before the expiry date. Failure to do so will cause the registration to lapse.
Re-application: A full re-application is mandatory for fundamental changes, such as relocation of a fruit orchard or a complete change in its cultivated fruit varieties, or the reconstruction, significant expansion, or relocation of a packing facility.
(By Dan Jiagui)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.
