China AQSIQ Requirement: Filing of Overseas Food Exporters

China’s “Administrative Provisions on Filing of Importers and Exporters of Imported Foods” (AQSIQ Announcement No.55-2012) took effect from 1 Oct 2012 mainly for the purpose of acquiring the information on importers and exporters, sources and flows of imported foods and guaranteeing the traceability of imported foods. To be concise, under the regulation, every food exporter should finish registration with AQSIQ through an on-line filing management system prior to initial export to China. The follow are some frequently asked questions about the obligation.

Who must register?

Exporters and importers of food categories listed in Appendix 1 of the AQSIQ Announcement No.55-2012 are subject to the filing requirements. Products not listed in the categories, such as food additives, some grains, some oil seeds, fruit and live animals are exempt but still must comply with relevant existing rules.

Where and how to register?

Step 1. go to online filing management system http://ire.eciq.cn;
Step 2. click the “login” button;
Step 3. click the “initial registration” button;
Step 4. Complete the application form and submit

Application form for filing of food exporter/agent

出口商或者代理商备案申请表

初次申请备案Initial Filing
第1项——企业信息Section 1-Applicant’s Information
*企业名称（中英文）Name (in Chinese AND English)
*企业地址（中英文）Address(in Chinese AND English)
*企业类型Company Type：□出口商Exporter □代理商Agent
*国家（地区）Country/Region：	*邮政编码Postal Code
*联系人姓名Contact Name：
*联系人电话/传真（请注明国家/地区代码及区域码）或者手机 Contact Telephone/Fax (Include Area/Country/Region Code) or Cell Phone：
*联系人电子邮件信箱Contact E-mail：
*第2项——经营食品种类（多选项）Section 2-Food Category of Operation
□肉类meat □蛋及制品类egg and egg products □水产及制品类aquatic products and preserved aquatic products □中药材类 traditional Chinese medicinal materials of animal and plant origin □粮谷及制品类grains and grain products □油脂及油料类oil and oil seeds □饮料类soft drinks and drinking water □糖类 sugar □蔬菜及制品类vegetable and vegetable products □植物性调料类processed flavorings of plant origin □干坚果类dried fruits and nuts □其他植物源性食品类other plant origin food □罐头类canned foods □乳制品类dairy products □蜂产品类bee products □酒类alcoholic beverage □糕点饼干类pastry biscuits and crackers □蜜饯类candied (preserved) fruits □卷烟类cigarette □茶叶类tea □调味品类processed flavorings □其他加工食品类other processed foods □特殊食品类foods for special dietary uses □其他，请描述 others, please describe
第3项——中国贸易伙伴信息Section 3-Information of the Chinese Trade Partner to be contracted with:
企业名称（中文）Name (in Chinese)：
企业地址（中文）Address (in Chinese)：
联系人Contact person：
电话/传真Telephone/Fax:
电子邮件信箱E-mail：
第4项——承诺书Section.4-letter of commitment
兹承诺: 上述资料信息准确、真实。I hereby commits: The information we submit is authentic and accurate.
*填表人姓名（印刷体）Contractor name (in printing version)：
*填表人电话/传真或者手机Contractor’s office Telephone/Fax or cell phone：
*填表人电子邮件信箱Contractor’s E-mail Address：
*填表日期Date of submitting this form：
第5项——填表说明Note
1、标“”的项目必须填写。The above items with mark must be effectively filled in.

Some important points

The name of the registered exporter will need to match the information on any accompanying export documentation.
If you export to multiple consignees, each one must be listed on the registration.
Consignee names and addresses must be entered in Chinese characters. Exporters are advised to contact their Chinese agents for assistance or outsource the service to a third party like REACH24H.

What are the registration number and query number for?

After the application form is submitted, the system will generate a registration number and a query number, which should be recorded for checking the progress of the application or modify any information as necessary. The registration number will be needed by the consignee when submitting their entry inspection form.

The registration information must be maintained and any change in an exporter’s circumstances should be promptly updated in the system.

Who Reviews the Registration Applications?

AQSIQ officers are responsible for accepting filing applications and reviewing the information submitted.

How long will it take to get registered?

After accepting applications and materials, the applicant can get the result of registration within five working days.

What should I do if I have a new importer in China?

Each time an exporter with a registration number has a contract to export relevant products to China with a new importer, that exporter should add this new information to the system.

Can I delete information of an importer which whom I no longer do business?

AQSIQ prefers the system retain all importer information for traceability purposes.

Our company exports fresh fruit, shall we register?

Fresh fruit shippers do not need to register with AQSIQ. Only products listed in Section 2-Food Category of Operation- of the Application Form of Food Exporter/Agent are subject to the registration requirements. Exporters of products not listed in the section do not need to register.