On August 14, 2020, the General Administration of Customs issued the "Announcement on the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for imported Ecuadorian Frozen Vannamei Shrimp" (General Administration of Customs Announcement No. 93, 2020). Let's take a look at the inspection and quarantine requirements on the import of Ecuadorian Frozen Vannamei Shrimp.

1. Which products are allowed to be imported?

Frozen vannamei shrimp in this announcement refers to frozen vannamei shrimp (scientific name: Penaeus vannamei) and its products that are artificially cultivated for human consumption, excluding live vannamei shrimp.

2. What are the requirements of foreign manufacturers?

The production enterprises of frozen vannamei shrimp exported from Ecuador to China should be approved by the Ecuadorian authorities and registered in China. Without registration, no export to China is allowed. The list of relevant companies can be found on the website of the General Administration of Customs.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, companies should carry out epidemic prevention and control in accordance with the "COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidelines for Food Companies" formulated and issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Frozen vannamei shrimp safety prevention and control measures ensure that all prevention and control measures are implemented effectively from the entire process of raw materials, processing, packaging, storage, and transportation to prevent contamination.


Search website of Ecuadorian aquatic product manufacturer's registration list in China: http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn/spj/zwgk75/2706880/2811812/2812040/2812044/3205479/index.html

3. Is it necessary to apply for an "Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit"?

The import of frozen vannamei shrimp from Ecuador should go through quarantine approval in advance and obtain the "Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit".

The "Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" can be applied for under the administrative examination and approval module of the "Internet + Customs" system at http://online.customs.gov.cn/

4. What are the requirements for the attached certificate?


Each batch of frozen vannamei shrimp exported from Ecuador to China should be accompanied by at least one original veterinary (hygiene) certificate issued by the Ecuadorian government, proving that the product complies with Chinese laws and regulations and national food safety standards.

5. What are the requirements for packaging and labeling?

Frozen vannamei shrimp exported to China should be packaged with brand-new materials that meet international health standards.

Chinese labels should be affixed to the packaging, including: trade name and scientific name, specifications, production date, batch number, storage conditions, production method (artificial breeding), production area, manufacturer name and number, and destination (marked as the People’s Republic of China) .

For frozen vannamei shrimp exported to China in pre-packaged form, the pre-packaged Chinese label shall meet the labeling requirements of China's imported pre-packaged food.


6. What are the requirements for storage and transportation?

The whole process of storage and transportation of frozen vannamei shrimp exported from Ecuador to China should meet relevant hygiene requirements and traceability requirements. At the same time, the normal operation of cold chain control should be ensured.


7. Food safety requirements

Frozen vannamei shrimp exported from Ecuador to China shall comply with Chinese laws and regulations and national food safety standards. For products that do not meet Chinese requirements, China may carry out return, destruction and other treatment of related products in accordance with the law. For production enterprises that have serious problems or have repeatedly failed to meet the standards, China may take measures such as strengthening inspection and quarantine, prohibiting imports, and canceling the qualification of production enterprises to register in China.

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