To help enterprises better grasp the key points of fruit export, standardize management, improve quality, and expand export business, the article introduces the procedures and requirements for fresh fruit export.
I. Enterprise Qualification Application
(I) Where bilateral agreements or protocols between China and the importing country or region explicitly require, or where the laws and regulations of importing country or region mandate the registration of exporting orchards and packaging facilities, Customs shall implement registration for such orchards and packaging facilities in accordance with relevant regulations of such country or region.
(II) Where bilateral agreements or protocols between China and the importing country or region contain no explicit stipulations, and the laws and regulations of importing country or region impose no specific requirements, exporting orchards and packaging facilities may voluntarily apply to Customs for registration.
II. Conditions for Registration of Export Fruit Orchards and Packing Facilities
(I) Fruit orchards applying for export registration must meet the following requirements:
1. Continuous cultivation area exceeding 100 mu;
2. Free from pollution sources affecting fruit production in the surrounding area;
3. Staffed with full-time or part-time plant protection officers responsible for pest monitoring, prevention and control;
4. Implementation of a comprehensive quality management system. Quality management system documentation shall include materials concerning organizational structure, personnel training, pest monitoring and control, agrochemical usage management and good agricultural practices;
5. No major plant disease outbreaks in the past two years;
6. Compliance with any special registration requirements stipulated in bilateral agreements, protocols, or laws and regulations of importing countries.
(II) Fruit packing facilities applying for export registration must meet the following requirements:
1. The facility must maintain clean premises with dedicated raw material storage and finished goods warehouses meeting fruit preservation standards;
2. There are clearly segregated functional zones for fruit receiving, processing, treatment, and storage with proper layout, physically separated from living quarters at appropriate distances.
3. The facility must be equipped with quarantine-compliant facilities for washing, processing, pest and disease control, as well as disinfection.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Dedicated or part-time plant protection officers 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.
7. The facility must either possess orchards with adequate production capacity to meet its processing needs or maintain established supply agreements with such orchards.
8. The facility is also required to follow additional requirements specified in bilateral agreements, protocols, or laws and regulations for registration of importing countries or regions.
III. Documentation Required for Registration of Export Fruit Orchards and Packing Facilities
(I). Orchards applying for registration shall submit a written application to the local Customs office along with the following documents:
1. Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Orchards;
2. Schematic diagram and layout plan of the orchard.
(II) Packaging facilities applying for registration shall submit a written application to the local Customs office accompanied by the following documents:
1. Application Form for Registration of Export Fruit Packaging Facilities;
2. Facility layout plan, packaging process flow chart, and a brief description of the packaging operations;
3. A list of source orchards supplying fruits, along with copies of production and procurement agreements between the packaging facility and the orchards.
IV. Registration Procedures
(I) Applicants shall log into the online service platform of “Internet plus Customs” (http://online.customs.gov.cn), enter "Administrative Approvals - Registration of Production, Processing and Storage Facilities for Specific Export Animals, Plants and Relevant Products as well as Other Quarantine Items - Registration of Production, Processing and Storage Facilities for Export Plants and Relevant Products as well as Other Quarantine Items" to submit applications, and upload scanned copies of completed and stamped documents which are required.
(II) Upon acceptance of the application for registration from export fruit orchards and packing facilities, Customs authorities shall review the registration documents submitted, and convene an expert panel for on-site evaluation. Customs shall render a decision on registration approval or rejection within 20 working days from the date of application acceptance. Approved applicants will be issued corresponding registration certificates.
(III) Application progress and results can be queried through the following public channels:
1. The online service platform of “Internet plus Customs”;
2. The section of “Public Disclosure of Administrative Approvals & Penalties" (commonly known as 'Shuang Gongshi') on Customs official websites;
3. Customs Service Hotline: 12360.
V. Routine Supervision and Administration by Customs
(I) Customs shall conduct pest monitoring, hazardous substances control, and supervision over export fruit orchards and packaging facilities within their jurisdiction. The monitoring results and supervision records shall serve as important basis for the classified management of export fruit inspection and quarantine.
(II) Export fruit orchards and packaging facilities shall implement effective pest monitoring, prevention and comprehensive management measures to prevent and control the occurrence of quarantine pests of concern to importing countries or regions. They shall comply with relevant regulations and standards, and all agricultural chemicals used shall meet food safety requirements as well as the requirements of importing countries or regions. Packaging materials of export fruits shall be clean, sanitary, unused and comply with relevant hygiene quality standards. Where importing countries or regions have special requirements, fruit packages shall be marked with fruit variety, place of origin, and names or codes of orchards and packaging facilities as required.
VI. Pre-export Inspection and Quarantine
Customs shall conduct on-site inspection, quarantine and laboratory testing in accordance with relevant working procedures and technical standards listed below:
(I) Verify the consistency between the goods and accompanying certificates;
(2) Examine whether the phytosanitary certificates and package markings comply with requirements of importing countries or regions;
(3) Inspect fruits for presence of pests, disease symptoms, attached stems and leaves, soil or pest damage. Any suspected cases shall be quarantined immediately, with samples sent to laboratories for pest identification in accordance with relevant regulations and requirements.
(By Tang Xiaoyu)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Fuzhou Customs. The Fuzhou Customs version shall prevail.
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