China Customs Rejection Data: 196 Batches of Imported Food in April 2023

On May 28, 2023, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) published the list of non-compliant food products in April of 2023. A total of 196 batches of imported food from 38 countries/regions were rejected.

Most non-compliant imported food in April came from Japan (25%, mostly alcohol and beverages), followed by the U.S. (15.8%, mostly grain products) and Taiwan, China (12.2%, mostly snacks). The major reasons for import rejection were:

• Unqualified labeling (27.0%)

• Lack of required documents or evidential materials (20.4%)

• Discrepancy between cargo and certificate (14.3%)

• Lack of inspection & quarantine permit (7.7%)

• Exceeding the use of food additives/nutritional fortification substances (7.1%)

Noteworthy Products 

1. Solid beverages 

12 batches of solid beverages were rejected in April. The rejection reason of half of them were the wrong use of food additives or nutritional fortifiers. For those who have the demand for checking the ingredient's compliance with Chinese requirements, it is recommended to use ChemLinked's Food Combox, which offers professional assistance on key compliance aspects, such as ingredient check, formula review and even label design.

2. Coffee 

One batch of coffee bean from Taiwan, China failed customs clearance for the discrepancy between cargo and certificate. China's coffee market is widely- recognized as one of the most fast-growing sectors in recent years. For stakeholders that are interested in the market, it is crucial to understand the local regulations, which can help businesses make informed decisions about whether to enter and how to enter the market. For more information on China's coffee market and the obligatory steps of the market access, please refer to An Overview of the Coffee Market in China and How E-commerce Can Help Overseas Coffee SMEs.