Unlock insights into China’s imported dairy market.This guide details product types,essential import processes,and critical regulatory compliance for success.

I.Types of Imported Dairy Products

Imported dairy products are mainly divided into three types: colostrum,raw milk,and dairy products.

Colostrum: Colostrum refers to the milk produced by dairy animals within 7 days after calving.

Raw Milk: Raw milk refers to the normal milk extracted from the udders of healthy dairy animals that meet Chinas relevant requirements,without any component changes.Colostrum,milk produced during antibiotic use and withdrawal periods,and spoiled milk must not be used as raw milk.Raw milk products refer to products processed from raw milk without any heat treatment sterilization process during processing.

Dairy Products: Dairy products refer to food products processed mainly from milk,such as pasteurized milk,sterilized milk,modified milk,fermented milk,cheese and processed cheese,cream,butter,anhydrous milkfat,condensed milk,milk powder,whey powder and whey protein powder,milk-based infant formula and its production base powder,casein,and other milk and dairy products (such as milk mineral salts and milk proteins,etc.).

II.Source Countries and Overseas Production Enterprises Inquiry

According to Chinese laws and regulations,the food safety management systems and food safety conditions of countries or regions exporting dairy products to China are assessed.The list of dairy products from countries or regions that meet the assessment and review requirements and have traditional trade,as well as the registration list of overseas production enterprises for imported dairy products,are published by the General Administration of Customs.

Website for querying the list of dairy products from countries or regions that meet the assessment and review requirements and have traditional trade: http: //43.248.49.223/

Website for querying registration information of overseas food production enterprises: https://ciferquery.singlewindow.cn/

III.Inspection and Quarantine Procedures for Imported Dairy Products

Assessment of the Exporting Country (Region) System — Registration of Overseas Dairy Product Manufacturers — Health Certificate Issued by the Competent Government Authority of the Exporting Country or Region — Imported Dairy ProductsCommercial Filing — Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Approval — Customs Clearance — Post-Clearance Supervision

IV.Registration of Dairy Importers

Dairy importers must register with the local customs before importing.

Online application: Importers must first log in to the “Internet + Customs” portal to complete and submit the record-filing application form,providing information such as the consignee’s name,address,and contact person,and assume full responsibility for the authenticity of the information provided.

Submission of paper documents: After submitting the application in the registration management system,provide the following documents to the local customs:

(1) A completed and accurate consignee registration application form (Annex 2 of Announcement No.55 of 2012 by the General Administration of Customs);

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

(3) Types of food to be traded and storage locations;

(4) If engaged in food import,processing,or sales within the past 2 years,provide relevant descriptions (types and quantities of food).

After verifying the registration documents and electronic information of the consignee,the customs will issue a registration number.The registration management system generates a list of registered consignees,which is published on the General Administration of Customs website.

V.Registration of Overseas Dairy Exporters

Overseas exporters or agents should apply for registration with the General Administration of Customs.Exporters or agents must ensure that they can contact relevant personnel through the registration information in case of emergencies.The General Administration of Customs registers exporters or agents who provide complete registration information.The registration management system generates a list of registered exporters or agents,which is published on the General Administration of Customs website.

VI.Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Imported Dairy Products

The Administrative Regulations on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food in the Peoples Republic of China (Customs Order No.248) and the Administrative Measures on the Safety of Imported and Exported Food in the Peoples Republic of China (Customs Order No.249) have officially come into effect on January 1,2022.The Administrative Measures on the Inspection,Quarantine,and Supervision of Imported and Exported Dairy Products have been repealed simultaneously.In accordance with Customs Announcement No.114 of 2021 (Announcement on Clarifying the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Imported Dairy Products),the inspection and quarantine requirements for imported dairy products are as follows:

(1) Imported dairy products must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate issued by the competent government authority of the exporting country or region.The certificate must bear the official seal of the competent government authority of the exporting country or region and the signature of its authorized representative,with the destination clearly marked as the Peoples Republic of China.The sample of the sanitary certificate must be confirmed by the General Administration of Customs.

(2) Imported raw milk,raw milk products,pasteurized milk,and modified milk processed using pasteurization technology require entry quarantine approval procedures.

(3) Overseas manufacturers should be familiar with and ensure that the dairy products they export to China comply with Chinas food safety national standards and relevant requirements.

For the first import of dairy products,a test report listing the items specified in the corresponding food safety national standards must be provided.The first import refers to the first-time import of dairy products with identical information,including the overseas manufacturer,product name,formula,overseas exporter,and domestic importer,through the same port.For non-first imports of dairy products,a copy of the first import test report and a test report for items required by the General Administration of Customs must be provided.Testing report items for non-first-time imports are determined by the General Administration of Customs based on dairy product risk monitoring and other relevant circumstances and published on the website of the General Administration of Customs (log in to the website of the Food Bureau of the General Administration of Customs http://jckspj.customs.gov.cn and inquire in the "Information Services - Inspection and Quarantine Requirements" section).The test report must correspond to the production date or batch number of the imported dairy products.A commitment system for proof of matters related to the test report of imported dairy products is implemented.

(4) Testing institutions that issue test reports for imported dairy products can be official overseas laboratories,third-party testing institutions,or enterprise laboratories,as well as domestic testing institutions that have obtained food inspection agency qualification certification.

As consumer demand for dairy product quality and diversity grows,the position of imported dairy products in the Chinese market continues to rise.By gaining an in-depth understanding of and strictly adhering to relevant import procedures and regulatory requirements,dairy product importers can ensure product safety and win consumer trust and market share.