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Editor's Note: This article tracks and analyzes monthly data of China's rejected food imports throughout 2025, as per the latest developments. Previous contents can be seen at the bottom of the article.
As one of the world's largest food importers, China receives a constant influx of food shipments through its bustling ports each day. However, amid this vast trade flow, a significant volume of imported food products continues to face rejection at customs due to various reasons. This article tracks and analyzes monthly patterns in China's rejected food imports throughout 2025, offering data-driven insights that help businesses to avoid shipment rejections and mitigate cross-border trade risks.
On March 21, 2025, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) published the list of non-compliant food products in February of 2025. A total of 267 batches of imported food from 40 countries/regions were rejected.
Countries/regions (Top 5)
Rank | Country/region | Rejected batch | Major food category |
1 | Denmark | 34 (12.7%) | Meat products |
2 | Brazil | 28 (10.5%) | Meat products |
3 | Japan | 27 (10.1%) | Confectionery, beverages |
4 | Taiwan, China | 24 (9.0%) | Grain products, condiments |
5 | Spain | 19 (7.1%) | Meat products, wine |
Food categories (Top 5)
Rank | Food category | Rejected batch | Main source country/region |
1 | Meat products | 97 (36.3%) | Denmark, Brazil, Spain |
2 | Miscellaneous foods | 41 (15.4%) | United States, Japan, Taiwan, China |
3 | Aquatic foods | 28 (10.5%) | Indonesia, Ecuador |
4 | Alcohol & beverage | 25 (9.4%) | Japan |
5 | Processed fruit & vegetable products | 16 (6.0%) | United States, Taiwan, China |
Rejection reasons (Top 5)
Rank | Rejection reason | Rejected batch |
1 | Non-compliance with national food safety standards | 65 (24.3%) |
2 | Discrepancy between cargo and certificate | 54 (20.2%) |
3 | Detection of animal epidemic diseases | 37 (13.9%) |
4 | Unqualified labeling | 29 (10.9%) |
5 | Issues with overseas food manufacturer registration | 24 (9.0%) |
Note: Multiple rejection reasons may apply to a single batch; totals exceed 100% due to overlapping causes.
In 2024, China's food import sector witnessed an unexpected contraction, with total import value declining by 8.1% year-on-year, halting its previous growth trajectory. More strikingly, the volume of imported food products rejected by Chinese customs surged by 78.1% over the same period, revealing a paradoxical dynamic in the nation's trade and regulatory landscape. Against this backdrop, ChemLinked releases A Look Back at 2024: China's Rejected Imported Food Review Report, offering a comprehensive dissection of the rejected shipments. Click here or the cover below to access the free report！
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