China changes food import conditions, forcing exporters to adapt

Starting June 1, China has begun implementing a new inspection system for imported food products that expands sanitary requirements, strengthens traceability mechanisms, and changes procedures for registering foreign companies. The measure, initiated by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), is significant as it affects one of the world’s largest food import markets and may influence global agricultural trade flows.

The new rules, designated as Decree No. 280, replace regulations in force since 2021 and set more detailed criteria for issuing permits, renewing licenses, and supervising exporting companies seeking access to the Chinese market. China is placing increasing emphasis on risk-based control measures. Under the new system, authorities will assess factors such as raw material origin, production processes, consumer health history, consumption patterns, and available data for each food category.

Based on this assessment, specific requirements will be defined for exporters to maintain or obtain access to import documentation. The scope of control also extends to pre-export cold storage facilities and introduces additional monitoring points across the logistics chain.

Stricter requirements apply to meat and meat products, dairy products, eggs, fish, honey, vegetable oils, dried fruits, seeds, dried vegetables, and specialized food products. For high sanitary risk categories, exporters must still provide official certification issued by competent authorities in the exporting country, along with supporting technical and sanitary documentation.

An increasingly strategic market for exporters

These changes come at a time when China plays a critical role in global agricultural supply chains. According to Chinese customs data, more than 96,000 companies from 178 countries are authorized to export food products to China.

Food imports increased from RMB 1.05 trillion in 2020 to RMB 1.32 trillion in 2025, highlighting the scale of demand from the Asian giant.

Although registrations granted under previous rules remain valid, companies will need to adapt to a system requiring higher standards of documentation, traceability, and sanitary compliance.

Beijing states that the update is aimed at strengthening food security without disrupting trade. However, for exporters—including those in the meat, dairy, seafood, and agribusiness sectors—the new system requires significantly greater attention to certification and control processes to maintain access to one of the world’s most important markets.