Firstly, accept the application. Written application should be formally submitted to the General Administration of Customs for any aquatic animal products intending to export to China. The General Administration of Customs decides whether entry procedures shall be launched based on the aquatic animals’ quarantine conditions and food safety status of the country (region) intending to export to China under the guidance of general principles of Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization. If the system is launched, risk assessment questionnaires of the related aquatic animal products would be released to the country (region) intending to export to China.
Secondly, organize the assessment. The General Administration of Customs shall organize an expert panel to conduct risk assessment on the questionnaire sheets and relevant technical data provided by the officials of the country (region) intending to export to China, and produce an assessment report. During assessment, experts can be assigned to conduct necessary on-site investigation or confirmatory investigation with the consent of the country (region) intending to export to China, so as to confirm the authenticity and consistency of relevant information and operation.
Thirdly, negotiate inspection and quarantine requirements. Based on the assessment results, the two paties negotiate on the inspection and quarantine sanitary requirements for aquatic products exported to China, then confirm the inspection and quarantine requirements agreed by both sides (including signing the inspection and quarantine protocol, memorandum or announcement of inspection and quarantine requirements), and confirm the content and format of the veterinary health certificate of the products exported to China.
Fourthly, process the enterprise registration. Upon completion of the aforesaid assessment procedures, the enterprises of the country intending to export to China shall carry out enterprise registration as the General Administration of Customs requires. The General Administration of Customs shall issue List of Countries/Regions and Aquatic Animal Products Importing to China Meeting the Assessment Requirements, and the country (region) shall provide the General Administration of Customs with the information of the official signed veterinary health certificate, etc.
Fifthly, obtain the filing qualification and quarantine license. Chinese importers should obtain the consignee filing qualification of imported aquatic animal products according to the relevant regulations. For the imported aquatic animal products, it is necessary to apply for Approval Permit for Entry Animals and Plants Quarantine of People’s Republic of China, so as to import aquatic animal products from the registered enterprises of the countries (regions) allowed to enter. Importers should import aquatic products that meet the requirements of inspection and quarantine. When the aquatic animal products arrive at the ports of China, China Customs shall be responsible for the inspection and quarantine.