Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Banana from Peru to China

According to the regulations of the General Administration of Customs of China and the National Animal and Plant Quarantine Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation of Peru regarding phytosanitary requirements for banana exports to China, effective immediately, the import of fresh Peruvian bananas meeting the following requirements is permitted.

I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis

(1) *Biosafety Law of the People's Republic of China*;

(2) *Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine* and its implementing regulations;

(3) *Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China* and its implementing regulations;

(4) *Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Fruits*;

(5) *Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation of Peru on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Peruvian Bananas to China*.

II. Permitted Imported Commodity Name

Banana, scientific name *Musa spp.*, English name *Banana*. Only unripe green bananas with unsplit peels are permitted.

III. Permitted Origin

Peruvian banana producing areas.

IV. Approved Orchards and Packing Plants

Banana orchards and packing plants exporting to China must be reviewed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation of Peru and approved and registered by the General Administration of Customs of China. Registration information includes name, address, and identification number to facilitate accurate traceability in case exported goods do not comply with the relevant provisions of this announcement. Before each export season, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall provide the registered list to Chinese Customs.

V. List of Quarantine Pests of Concern to Chinese Customs

1. Aleurodicus dispersus

2. Dysmicoccus neobrevipes

3. Rhynchophorus palmarum

4. Selenaspidus articulatus

5. Ralstonia solanacearum race 2

VI. Pre-Export Management

(I) Orchard Management

1. Orchards exporting to China should establish and implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure traceability of the production process; maintain orchard hygiene conditions; remove rotten, diseased, and cracked fruit at harvest; and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including pest and disease monitoring, chemical or biological control, and agricultural practices.

2. Orchards exporting to China should, under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation, adopt effective pest monitoring and integrated management measures to prevent the occurrence of quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs.

3. Phytosanitary measures for orchards exporting to China must be implemented under the guidance of technicians with knowledge of phytosanitary measures, including pest control and monitoring. These technicians should receive training from the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation or its authorized agencies.

4. Orchards exporting to China should maintain records of pest monitoring and control, and provide these records to Chinese Customs upon request. Control records should include detailed information on all chemical agents used during the growing season, including the name, active ingredient, application date, and concentration.

5. For banana bacterial wilt race 2, orchards exporting to China should establish a pest-free production area (PFPP) according to International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 10. Once symptoms of banana bacterial wilt race 2 are found in the orchard, integrated pest management measures must be implemented to eradicate the pest. The PFPP can only be restored after six months without any record of the pest.

6. For other quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs, such as whiteflies and scale insects, orchard monitoring must be conducted every 15 days from banana flowering to harvest. If harmful organisms or their corresponding symptoms are detected during monitoring, comprehensive management measures, including chemical, physical, or biological control, shall be implemented to ensure that bananas exported to China are free of the aforementioned quarantine pests. Monitoring and control activities shall be carried out by the producers and supervised by the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation.

(II) Packing Plant Management

1. The processing, packaging, storage, and shipment of bananas exported to China must be conducted under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation.

2. During processing and packaging, bananas should undergo soaking and washing, manual sorting, and grading to ensure they are free of insects, mites, snails, rotten fruit, weed seeds, plant debris, and soil.

3. If packaged bananas need to be stored, they should be immediately placed in a warehouse and stored separately to prevent reinfection by harmful organisms.

4. Packing plants should establish a traceability system to ensure that bananas exported to China can be traced back to registered orchards. Information such as the processing and packaging date, the name of the orchard from which the bananas originated or its registration number, the quantity of bananas, the export date, the export quantity, the country of destination, the vehicle or container number, and the seal number should be recorded. If chemicals are used in the processing, the name, active ingredient, dosage, and date of use of the chemicals should be recorded. Records should be kept for at least two years.

(III) Packaging Requirements

1. Packaging materials should be clean, hygienic, unused, and comply with relevant Chinese phytosanitary and sanitary requirements. If wooden packaging is used, it must comply with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15.

2. Each package must be labeled in Chinese or English with the fruit name, exporting country, place of origin (province, city), orchard and packing plant name and registration number. Each package and pallet should be marked with "输往中华人民共和国" or "Exported to the People's Republic of China" in Chinese or English.

3. Containers or sealed vehicles carrying bananas for export to China should be clean, hygienic, and sealed. The seals should remain intact upon arrival at Chinese ports of entry.

(IV) Pre-export Inspection and Quarantine

1. Within the first two years of trade commencement, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation should conduct random inspections of 2% of each shipment of bananas exported to China. If no phytosanitary issues occur within two years, the sampling rate may be reduced to 1%.

2. If any quarantine pests or soil of concern to Chinese Customs are found, the entire shipment shall not be exported to China. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall investigate the cause and take corrective measures. Relevant records shall be preserved and provided to Chinese Customs upon request.

(V) Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements.

For bananas that have passed quarantine, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall issue a phytosanitary certificate in accordance with the relevant provisions of International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 12, indicating the name or registration number of the orchard and packing plant, and noting "This consignment complies with the requirements specified in the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Banana Fruits from Peru to China, and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China." in the supplementary declaration.

VII. Import Inspection and Quarantine and Handling of Non-conforming Products

When bananas imported into China arrive at Chinese ports of entry, Chinese Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine according to the following requirements.

(I) Verification of Relevant Certificates and Marks

1. Verify whether the imported bananas have obtained an "Import Permit for Animals and Plants".

2. Verify whether the phytosanitary certificate complies with the provisions of Article VI, Paragraph (V) of this announcement.

3. Verify that the markings on the packaging boxes and pallets comply with the provisions of Article 6, Paragraph (3) of this Announcement.

(II) Import Inspection and Quarantine.

1. Bananas exported to China should enter through ports of entry permitted by Chinese Customs for the import of fruits.

2. Inspection and quarantine shall be carried out in accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, national standards, etc. Those that pass inspection and quarantine are permitted entry.

(III) Handling of Non-compliant Goods.

1. If the goods are found to originate from orchards or packing plants not approved by Chinese Customs, the shipment shall not be permitted entry.

2. If ripe or cracked bananas are found, the bananas shall be returned or destroyed.

3. If bacterial wilt pathogen race 2 of bananas is found, the shipment shall be returned or destroyed.

4. If other quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs or newly emerging quarantine pests in Peru, as well as live branches, leaves, and soil, are found, the shipment shall be returned, destroyed, or treated for pest control.

5. If any goods are found to be non-compliant with Chinese food safety laws, regulations, and national standards, the shipment will be returned or destroyed.

GACC