What is CIFER?
CIFER (China Import Food Enterprise Registration) is the digital system used for the overseas producer registration processes of food products to be imported into China. It is the operational infrastructure of GACC's importer-facility registration policy: when a producer facility submits a registration application, the application proceeds through this system, and upon approval, the facility is assigned a registration number.
The registration requirement varies by product category
GACC Decree No. 280, in force since 1 June 2026 (replacing the former Decree No. 248), defines two application routes:
- Foods on GACC's list: The application 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. Under GACC Announcement No. 27 of 2026, the list 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.
- Foods not on the list: The producer may apply through CIFER itself or through an agent. Application documents must be in Chinese or English.
Which category your product falls into should be checked by HS code using the product-category query in the registration system. Some raw agricultural products, such as almonds or bay leaves, additionally require a China–Türkiye import protocol (see GACC Announcements 2025/205 and 2026/142). Applications started without this check risk taking the wrong route.
Typical preparation for the application
- Matching the product category with the HS code.
- Compiling the producer facility's existing certifications and inspection records.
- Clarifying the application route (direct / through the competent authority).
- Preparing the document set in the format expected by CIFER.
- Entering the application into the system and tracking it.
Duration and validity
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 and, under Decree No. 280, renews automatically for another 5 years at expiry. Exceptions: foods on GACC's no-automatic-renewal list (currently meat products and edible bird's nests, which need an application 3–12 months before expiry), facilities under rectification, and cases where China has suspended imports from the country concerned. GACC charges no fee for registration and has warned companies against fake websites imitating the official system.
Next step
To clarify which route your CIFER registration should follow, request consultation or start tracking regulatory notifications by joining the producer network.
Source note: this content is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for official sources. Before applying, check current GACC/CIFER announcements and the relevant official systems.