Short summary
For many food products exported to China, the overseas producer facility is expected to be registered with GACC. Whether registration is required depends on the product category, processing status, and current regulations; a product-specific check before shipment is essential.
Who is this for?
Producers planning to send food or agricultural products to China for the first time, exporting companies, and suppliers who already have a buyer in China and want to clarify their registration status.
Process steps
- Determine whether your product falls within a GACC product category.
- Clarify the producer facility's registration requirement and application route.
- Check label, analysis, and certificate requirements on a product-specific basis.
- Coordinate the declaration and acceptance process with the importer on the Chinese side.
Common mistakes
- Agreeing on price and delivery terms with the buyer before checking the registration requirement.
- Misidentifying the product category and following the wrong application route.
- Leaving label and packaging compliance to the shipment stage.
- Failing to follow up on steps that are the importer's responsibility.
Why is it risky?
For foods subject to registration, the importer must enter the facility's China registration number in the customs declaration; without it, customs will not accept the declaration (GACC Announcement 2026/27). Some raw agricultural products also need an import protocol: separate requirements have been published for Turkish almonds (GACC 2025/205) and bay leaves (GACC 2026/142), for example. A product without such a protocol cannot be shipped even if the facility is registered. A product-specific check is essential before planning a shipment; assuming that ‘the buyer will handle it’ is the most common mistake.
Next step
If you want to clarify the registration requirement for your product, request a pre-assessment for your documents and product category.
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.