Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Coffee Beans from African Countries

In accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations, and following a risk assessment, the importation of coffee beans from African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China is permitted, provided they meet the following relevant requirements.

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

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

(2) *Law of the People's Republic of China on the 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.

II. Name of Permitted Commodity for Import

"Coffee Beans" refers to unroasted, hulled seeds of the *Coffea L.* genus that have been cultivated and processed within the territory of the exporting country. These seeds have had their outer skin, pulp, parchment, and silverskin removed, and have been processed through drying, sorting, and other procedures.

III. Origin

African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.

IV. Enterprise Registration

Enterprises engaged in the production and processing of coffee beans intended for export to China must undergo review by the competent authority of the exporting country (hereinafter referred to as the "Exporting Country's Official Authority") and be approved for registration by China Customs. Registration information—including the enterprise's name, address, and registration number—must be provided to facilitate accurate traceability in the event that the exported coffee beans fail to comply with the relevant provisions of this Announcement. Prior to the commencement of trade, the Exporting Country's Official Authority shall submit the list of registered enterprises to China Customs. Upon review and approval by China Customs, the list will be published on the China Customs website.

V. Quarantine Pests of Concern to China Customs

1. Hypothenemus hampei

2. Prostephanus truncatus

3. Nectria rigidiuscula

4. Colletotrichum kahawae

VI. Pre-export Management

(I) Cultivation Management.

1. Cultivation bases shall, under the official supervision of the exporting country, establish comprehensive quality management and traceability management systems; implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP); maintain sanitary conditions within the cultivation area—such as ensuring the absence of nearby pollution sources and the timely removal of plant disease residues; and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including pest monitoring and surveys, physical, chemical, or biological control measures, as well as agronomic control practices.

2. Under the official supervision of the exporting country, cultivation bases shall conduct pest monitoring and integrated control management specifically targeting the quarantine pests of concern to China Customs. Pest monitoring and control activities shall be carried out under the guidance of professional technical personnel. Such technical personnel must undergo training provided by the exporting country's official authorities or their authorized agencies. Cultivation bases shall retain records of pest monitoring and control for a minimum of two years and shall provide these records to China Customs upon request. These records shall include, at a minimum, detailed information such as the monitoring dates, the names of pests detected, the control measures implemented, and—for chemical treatments—the application dates, active ingredients, and concentrations used. During pest control operations, the use of pesticides prohibited by China Customs is strictly forbidden.

(II) Processing Management

1. Production and processing enterprises shall establish a traceability system to ensure that coffee beans exported to China can be traced back to their specific cultivation bases.

2. The processes of processing, packaging, storage, and shipment shall be conducted under the quarantine supervision of the exporting country's official authorities or their authorized personnel. The relevant areas shall be relatively independent, logically laid out, clean and sanitary, and feature hardened flooring; furthermore, they shall be physically separated from living quarters and maintained at an appropriate distance.

3. During the processing stage, the coffee beans shall undergo procedures such as manual sorting, screening, cleaning, and impurity removal to ensure they are free from moldy beans, insect-damaged beans, as well as impurities such as live insects, insect eggs, soil, weed seeds, plant residues, and grit.

(III) Packaging Requirements

1. Raw and finished coffee beans shall be stored separately to prevent contamination. Coffee beans shall be packaged using clean, sanitary, and new materials that comply with China's plant quarantine requirements. If wooden packaging materials are used, they must comply with the requirements of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15).2. Each package shall be labeled in Chinese or English with traceable information, including the product name, country of origin, place of origin, and the name and registration number of the production and processing enterprise. Each shipping carton and pallet must 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. Transport vehicles or containers used to ship coffee beans to China must be inspected at the time of loading to ensure they are in good sanitary condition. The transport vehicles or containers shall be sealed; upon arrival at a Chinese port of entry, these seals must remain intact and undamaged.

(IV) Pre-export Inspection and Quarantine.

1. Prior to export, the competent authority of the exporting country shall conduct inspection and quarantine on the coffee beans destined for China. Only coffee beans that have passed the inspection and quarantine conducted by the exporting country's competent authority and are confirmed to meet the requirements of this Announcement shall be permitted for export to China.

2. During the first two years following the commencement of trade, the competent authority of the exporting country shall conduct sampling inspections on every batch of coffee beans destined for China at a rate of no less than 2%. If no phytosanitary issues arise within this two-year period, the sampling rate may be adjusted to no less than 1%.

3. If quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs, plant debris, or soil are detected, the entire batch of goods shall not be exported to China. The competent authority of the exporting country shall investigate the cause and implement corrective measures. Additionally, records of such interceptions shall be maintained and provided to Chinese Customs upon request.

(V) Requirements for Phytosanitary Certificates.

1. For coffee beans that have passed quarantine inspection, the competent authority of the exporting country shall issue a Phytosanitary Certificate. This certificate shall specify the name or registration number of the production and processing enterprise and include the following additional declaration: "This consignment complies with Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Coffee Bean from Africa to China, and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China."

For goods in which live pests are detected, fumigation or other pest-eradication treatments must be performed prior to export. The Phytosanitary Certificate shall specify details regarding the treatment method, name of the fumigant, dosage, duration, and temperature.

2. Prior to the commencement of trade, the competent authority of the exporting country shall provide China Customs with a specimen of the phytosanitary certificate for verification and filing purposes.

VII. Entry Inspection, Quarantine, and Handling of Non-Compliant Goods

Upon the arrival of coffee beans destined for China at a Chinese port of entry, China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine in accordance with the following requirements:

(I) Verification of Relevant Certificates and Markings:

1. Verify whether the accompanying phytosanitary certificate is authentic and valid.

2. Verify whether the markings on the packaging boxes and pallets comply with the provisions of Article VI, Item (III) of this Announcement.

(II) Inspection of Goods:

In accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, and other provisions, China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine on the imported coffee beans; consignments that pass the inspection and quarantine shall be permitted to enter the country.

(III) Handling of Non-Compliant Goods:

1. If the consignment is found to originate from a production or processing enterprise that has not been registered, the entire consignment shall be returned or destroyed.

2. If the consignment is found to lack an accompanying valid phytosanitary certificate, the entire consignment shall be returned or destroyed.

3. If the consignment is found to contain live quarantine pests of concern to China Customs, other live quarantine pests, or plant residues or soil, the entire consignment shall be returned, destroyed, or subjected to quarantine treatment.

4. If the consignment is found to be non-compliant with China's food safety laws, regulations, and national standards, the entire consignment shall be returned or destroyed.

5. If other instances of non-compliance with China's entry quarantine requirements are identified, the matter shall be handled in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Should any of the aforementioned instances of non-compliance be identified, China Customs shall immediately notify the competent authority of the exporting country and, depending on the circumstances, suspend the importation of coffee beans from the relevant production or processing enterprises. The competent authority of the exporting country shall investigate the causes and implement corrective measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. China Customs will determine whether to lift the suspension measures based on the official rectification results submitted by the exporting country.

VIII. Other Requirements

Coffee beans from Ethiopia and Burundi have been granted quarantine access to my country; relevant phytosanitary requirements for their importation shall be implemented in accordance with the General Administration of Customs Announcements No. 142 of 2023 and No. 117 of 2024.

This Announcement shall take effect on July 20, 2026.

GACC