The importer and exporter record and conformity guarantee is an important conformity assessment activity implemented by China Customs for imported food , which is the premise of food import declaration. So, what is the importer and exporter record and conformity guarantee, and how should food importers and exporters operate? In this installment of our "Exporting Food to China" series,  Global Foodmate will answer them all.

Ⅰ What is import & Export Record and Conformity Guarantee?

importer and exporter filing means that an overseas exporter or agent that exports food to China shall make a filing with the General Administration of Customs of China. A food importer in China shall make a filing with the Customs Administration in the place of his or her domicile.

Conformity guarantee is an important part of the main responsibility of food safety for food importers or their agents to China, which refers to the certification materials or written commitments submitted by food importers or their agents to the customs to show that the food they import comply with Chinese laws and regulations and national food safety standards.

Ⅱ How to handle the filing of importers and exporters?

The filing of importers and exporters shall comply with the requirements of customs laws and regulations such as the Decree of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Administrative Provisions on the Filing of importers and Exporters of imported Food.

Starting from September 5, 2024, you can submit filing applications to the Customs through the China International Trade Single Window (https://www.singlewindow.cn/) or "Internet + Customs" (https://online.customs.gov.cn/), where:

To apply for the filing of overseas exporters or agents of imported food, they can only apply to GACC online, fill in the name of the exporter or agent, the country or region where they are located, the address, the name of the contact person, the telephone number, the type of food they operate, the name of the person who fills in the form, the telephone number and other information, and promise that the information provided is true and valid. After filing, the 18-digit unified code issued by the customs shall be used to handle the customs clearance business.

To apply for the filing of imported food importers, the food importer shall obtain a business license, and in addition to applying online to the customs office of the place of residence, it can also submit a paper "Application Form for the Filing of the Consignee" and relevant materials offline to apply for the record, and the filing materials include:

(1) Application Form for the Filing of the Consignee;

(2) Organizational structure, department functions and job responsibilities related to food safety;

(3) The type of food to be operated and the place of storage;

(4) If you have been engaged in the import, processing and sale of food within 2 years, you shall provide relevant explanations (food varieties and quantities).

After filing, the unified social credit code shall be used to handle customs clearance business.

Ⅲ How are the "Assurance of Conformity" requirements enforced?

The guarantee of conformity is a prerequisite for the export of food products to China. The basis of the conformity guarantee is that the importer establishes and implements the audit system for overseas exporters and overseas production enterprises, focusing on the following contents:

1) The formulation and implementation of food safety risk control measures;

2) Ensure that the food complies with Chinese laws and regulations and national food safety standards.

After review, if the domestic importer in China considers that it meets the requirements of China, it shall retain the certification materials or written undertaking provided by the overseas exporter, or issue a written undertaking on its own. If the audit is unqualified, it shall not be imported.

At the same time, domestic importers in China should sign trade contracts or agreements with overseas exporters and overseas production enterprises to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of both parties in terms of food quality and safety.

In the next installment of Global Foodmate's "Exporting Food to China" series, we will bring you the implementation of inspection and quarantine of imported food in China.