With the rapid development of economy and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the import volume of poultry meat in China is increasing year by year. This article introduced how the Customs ensures the safety of imported poultry meat.

1. Access requirements for imported poultry meat

China implements access management on imported poultry meat and their products. Before importing the above products, it is necessary to confirm whether they are in the List of Meat Products Exported to China from Countries or Regions that Meet the Requirements of Evaluation and Review. The General Administration of China Customs dynamically updates the List.

2. Registration requirements for overseas manufacturers

The competent authority of the country (region) where the overseas manufacturer of meat is located should recommend it to the General Administration of China Customs for registration, and the General Administration of China Customs should register it before exporting to China.

The list of overseas manufacturers registered in China can be queried through the "Management System of the Registration for Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food".

3. Filing requirements for importers and exporters

Overseas exporters or agents and domestic importers should file information through the "Filing System of Importers and Exporters of Imported Food and Cosmetics" of the General Administration of China Customs.

Enter the "query of filing list" on the home page of the "Filing System of Importers and Exporters of Imported Food and Cosmetics", the filing list can be queried.

4. Quarantine approval

Before importing poultry meat, enterprises should apply to the Customs directly under their jurisdiction for an Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit. Except for cooked meat products (such as sausages, ham, canned meat and edible animal oils and fats processed at high temperature) for which entry quarantine approval is cancelled.

The commodity number, inspection and quarantine number and meat name should be correctly selected when applying for a license for imported meat.

5. Application for import

The documents required for application include but are not limited to the followings:

(1) Entry animal and plant quarantine permit or pre-cancellation form (need to apply for the permit number);

(2) Official health certificate issued by the exporting country (region);

(3) Product list (indicating the variety, corresponding factory number and production batch number, provided by the importer or overseas manufacturer, exporter, except the health certificate has detailed information);

(4) Letter of commitment (commitment of the importer or overseas manufacturer, exporter to the accuracy of the production batch number and product safety and health quality, if necessary);

(5) Certificate of place of origin (if necessary);

(6) Other documents to be submitted.

6. On-site verification

On-site inspection

According to the requirements of the control instructions, the Customs will conduct on-site inspection of the means of transport, loading boxes/compartments (bulk carriers) and goods. Including but not limited to:

Whether the box/compartment information is consistent with the application materials; whether the interior of the box/compartment is clean and hygienic, has no odor, and does not carry harmful organisms, soil and other prohibited entry; whether the container and seal are in good condition; whether the container number and seal number are consistent with those listed in the official health certificate; whether the labels, indication and instructions of the internal and external packages comply with the requirements of laws and regulations, national food safety standards and the provisions of the General Administration of China Customs; color, smell and status of imported poultry meat, whether there is spoilage.

Sampling inspection

For imported poultry meat that has been sampled for inspection, samples need to be taken and sent to the laboratory for testing.

7. Package and label

The packages, labels and indication of imported poultry meat should comply with the laws, regulations, national food safety standards of China, and should be accompanied by an instruction manual in Chinese if the law so requires.

Imported poultry meat should be packed in good condition, and be used non-damaging, non-toxic and harmless packaging materials.

For an imported cold fresh meat product, its inner and outer packaging shall bear a secure, clear, and legible written identification in both Chinese and English, or in Chinese and the language of the export country (region), indicating the following:

(1) Country or region of origin;

(2) Product name;

(3) Registration number of the manufacturer;

(4) Production lot number.

The outer packaging should bear the specifications, place of origin (specific to state, province, or city), place of destination, production date, shelf life, storage temperature, and other information in Chinese, and must indicate that the place of destination is the People's Republic of China, and carry the official inspection and quarantine mark of the export country (region).

8. Conformity assessment and release

The Customs carries out conformity assessment and registers the results according to the results of document review, on-site verification and laboratory inspection. Those that meet requirements will be assessed as qualified, a Certificate of Inspection and Quarantine of Entry Goods will be issued and the goods will be released.

9. Disposal of unqualified goods

The Customs Administration will issue a certificate of non-conformity for the import food failing the conformity assessment by the Customs Administration; for poultry meat of non-conformity involving safety, health and environmental protection, the Customs Administration will order him or her to destruct, return or make a harmless treatment to the food involved. For non-conformity of other items, the food should be permitted to import after having met the requirements stipulated in conformity assessment by means of technical treatment.

Tips of the Customs:

The food importers including poultry meat should establish a food import and sales record system, truthfully record the name, net content/specification, quantity, production date, production or import lot number, shelf life, the name, address, and contact information of the overseas exporter or purchaser, delivery date, and other information on food, and keep relevant documents.

The records and documents should be kept for not less than six months after the expiration of shelf life of food, or for not less than two years after sale in the absence of such shelf life.

Source: Huangpu Customs 12360

Note: This article is compiled by Antion. Please indicate the source for reprint.