Frequently Asked Questions About GACC, CIFER, and Exporting to China

GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) is China's customs and import inspection authority. For food products imported into China, the registration of overseas producer facilities, product category eligibility, and border inspections all fall under GACC's responsibility. If your product falls within the scope of registration, shipments made before registration is completed may face the risk of rejection, detention, or destruction at customs. For this reason, the first step in planning for the Chinese market is clarifying the registration requirement.

CIFER is the official system through which overseas food production, processing and storage facilities are registered with GACC. Under GACC Decree No. 280, in force since 1 June 2026, applications for certain foods must include an audit report and a recommendation letter from the competent authority of the producer's country; in Türkiye this is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The list, published in GACC Announcement No. 27 of 2026, covers: meat and meat products, casings, edible bird's nests, bee products, eggs, edible oils and fats, stuffed pastry products, edible grains, milled grain products and malt, dehydrated vegetables, seasoning powders, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, foods for special dietary uses, health foods, dairy products and aquatic products. For foods not on the list, the producer may apply itself or through an agent. Which category your product falls into should be checked by HS code using the product-category query in the registration system.

Not for foods subject to registration. Under Decree No. 280, an overseas facility exporting food to China must be registered with GACC, and the importer must enter the facility's China registration number in the customs declaration; without it, customs will not accept the declaration. In addition, some raw agricultural products need market access before facility registration even matters: Turkish almonds (GACC Announcement 2025/205) and bay leaves (GACC 2026/142), for example, each have their own China–Türkiye protocol. Without such access, registration alone is not enough. A product-specific check is essential before planning a shipment — assuming that ‘the buyer will handle it’ is the most common mistake.

When registration is completed, GACC assigns the facility a China registration number (在华注册编号). Under Decree No. 280, the packaging of food exported to China must show this number or the registration number approved by the competent authority in Türkiye. The importer also enters the facility's China registration number, matched to the product's country of origin, in the customs declaration; if it is missing or wrong, customs will not accept the declaration. Keeping the number consistent across packaging and documents is therefore part of label review.

Processing time depends on the product category, application route, completeness of the documents and GACC's review; no exact timeframe can be guaranteed. Registration is valid for 5 years. Under Decree No. 280, registrations now renew automatically for another 5 years at expiry, except for foods on GACC's ‘no automatic renewal’ list (currently meat products and edible bird's nests), which require a renewal application 3–12 months before expiry. Automatic renewal also does not apply while a facility is under rectification or if China has suspended imports of the relevant food from that country. Relocating the facility or a change of its home-country registration number may require a new registration. GACC charges no fee for registration.

No. Producer facility registration belongs to the facility; a different trading company may carry out the export. However, the producer, exporter, and Chinese importer information must be consistent across the documents. In contract manufacturing, private label, and trading models, determining which facility must be registered is one of the most critical questions; the structure needs to be clarified before shipment.

Yes, it can be affected. Since registrations are carried out on a product-category basis, adding a new category to your product range may require an additional registration or a scope update. Regulatory changes can also redefine the scope of categories; in such cases, it must be checked whether existing registrations are affected.

The set of documents required varies by product category; typically, facility registration/approval documents, food safety management system certificates (ISO 22000, HACCP, etc.), product analysis reports, a certificate of origin, health/veterinary or phytosanitary certificates, and label samples are requested. In the pre-assessment, the minimum document set required for your product is identified, and a preparation plan is drawn up for any gaps.

A Chinese-language label is mandatory for packaged foods. The label is expected to display the product name, ingredient list, net quantity, producer and importer information, country of origin, and production date and shelf life in a format that complies with Chinese standards. The format of the nutrition facts table, date presentation, and claims made (e.g., "organic," "natural") are the points most frequently stumbled upon. Reviewing the label draft before shipment prevents costly returns.

It is essential that analyses be obtained from accredited laboratories. Which parameters need to be analyzed varies by product: aflatoxin for nuts, residues for honey, and pesticides and microbiology for spices are the key considerations. The buyer or relevant regulations may require additional analyses; the analysis plan should be prepared on a product- and buyer-specific basis.

On its own side, the importer has responsibilities such as importer registration, customs declaration, import permits for certain products, and the Chinese-label declaration. Even if the producer's registration is complete, the product will be held at customs if the steps on the importer's side are missing. That is why we coordinate the process on both sides: producer preparation in Türkiye, and follow-up of the importer's steps in China.

In most cases, yes. Since the registration process takes time, it is recommended to run it in parallel with buyer discussions; "registered producer" status provides a significant trust advantage in negotiations with buyers. By monitoring requests from Chinese companies through producer network membership, you can advance your search for buyers alongside the registration process.

Samples may also require documents and declarations depending on the product category; there are restrictions on food samples sent by courier. We plan the sample process together, taking into account buyer expectations, document requirements, and the shipping method; where appropriate, we also consider alternatives such as sample consolidation and promotion through trade fairs.

Yes. As part of our China market entry consulting, we provide support on target price analysis, choice of delivery terms (FOB, CIF, etc.), payment conditions, and quotation preparation. In trading and commercial organization models, we can manage the quotation and contract process directly ourselves.

On behalf of Chinese buyers, we conduct on-site inspections at GACC-registered or registration-eligible facilities in Türkiye, take samples, and organize quality control and pre-shipment inspection processes. Based on buyer requirements, the entire process — supplier shortlisting, price consolidation, and purchasing operations — can be managed from a single point of contact.

Network membership and pre-assessment applications are free. Members gain access to regulatory notifications and requests from Chinese companies. Consulting, registration support, commercial organization, and representation services are quoted separately based on scope; no surprise fees arise at any stage.

This is our advanced-stage collaboration model. Once your products show sales potential in the Chinese market, a representation structure is established and managed on your behalf: distributor and buyer relationships, trade fair participation, sample and marketing operations, and order and sales tracking are all carried out with regular reporting. This way, you gain a continuous market presence in China without setting up your own team. The scope and revenue model are designed together based on your product group.

No. gacc.com.tr is an independent consulting, information, and commercial organization platform; it is not the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China and does not represent any official institution. Official application and final decision processes are carried out through the relevant Chinese authorities and authorized systems.

No — no one can. The final decision rests with the relevant Chinese authorities. Our commitment is to ensure the process is prepared correctly: we conduct a pre-assessment of your product and document compliance, help ensure your application is prepared completely, monitor the process, and track the impact of regulatory changes on your business.