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

Based on relevant Chinese laws and regulations and following a risk assessment, the import of cashew nuts from African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China is permitted, effective immediately, provided they meet the following requirements.

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(1) *Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China* and its implementing regulations; *Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine* and its implementing regulations; *Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection* and its implementing regulations;

(2) *Administrative Measures of the People's Republic of China on the Safety of Import and Export Food*; *Administrative Provisions of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food*.

II. Permitted Products

Cashew nuts refer to nuts (in-shell or shelled) intended for human consumption, produced from cashew (*Anacardium occidentale*) raw materials grown in the exporting country and processed within that country through steps such as shelling, drying, and sorting.

Cashew nuts exported to China must be free from the following quarantine pests of concern to China Customs: Trogoderma granarium, Trogoderma inclusum, Callosobruchus maculatus, Silvanolomus pullus.

The entire process—from raw material cultivation, production, processing, storage, and transportation to export—must comply with relevant safety and hygiene requirements set by the competent authorities of both China and the exporting country to prevent contamination by pathogenic microorganisms or toxic and harmful substances.

III. Requirements for Production Enterprises

Enterprises involved in the production, processing, and storage of cashew nuts for export to China must ensure compliance with China's laws and regulations regarding food safety and plant quarantine, as well as China's national food safety standards. The competent authorities of the exporting country shall inspect the production, processing, and storage facilities in accordance with China Customs' requirements for the registration of overseas food manufacturers and recommend qualified enterprises to China Customs for registration. China Customs shall register the enterprises that meet the requirements. Products may only be exported to China after the enterprise has obtained registration. The list of registered cashew enterprises can be viewed on the Customs website.

IV. Requirements for Raw Materials

Raw materials for cashew nuts exported to China must originate from cultivation enterprises confirmed by the competent authorities of the exporting country to meet relevant plant quarantine and food safety requirements.

V. Processing Requirements

(I) During processing, cashews intended for export to China must undergo procedures such as sorting, screening, cleaning, and impurity removal. They must be free from live insects, insect eggs, and soil, and must not contain impurities such as weed seeds, plant debris, metal foreign objects, or grit. Temperature and humidity must be controlled during the drying stage to ensure the product's moisture content meets requirements and to inhibit the reproduction of storage pests.

(II) The competent authority of the exporting country shall provide guidance and supervision regarding the cultivation of raw materials, production, processing, storage, transportation, and export of cashews destined for China. This ensures compliance with relevant safety and sanitary requirements of both China and the exporting country, and prevents contamination by pathogenic microorganisms or toxic and harmful substances.

VI. Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Cashews destined for China must be packaged using clean, sanitary, breathable, and new materials that comply with food safety and phytosanitary requirements; packaging must prevent spillage during transport. Each package must be marked—in Chinese or English—with "本产品输往中华人民共和国/This product is exported to the People's Republic of China" as well as traceable information such as the product name, place of origin, name of the production/processing enterprise and its registration number in China, and the exporter's name and address. The aforementioned information may be affixed to the package via a label.

VII. Transportation Requirements

Prior to shipment, the competent authority of the exporting country shall inspect the transport vehicles/containers for cashews destined for China. Transport vehicles/containers must meet sanitary requirements and be free from quarantine pests or other regulated quarantine items, such as weed seeds, live insects, plant debris, soil, and other impurities.

VIII. Certification Requirements

Prior to export, the competent authority of the exporting country shall issue a phytosanitary certificate for cashews destined for China that have passed inspection and quarantine and meet the requirements of China Customs.

The "Additional Declaration" section of the certificate must specify the name of the cashew production/processing enterprise and its registration number in China, and include the following additional declaration: "This consignment complies with Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Nuts from Africa to China, and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China.".

Consignments found to contain live pests must undergo fumigation treatment prior to export to ensure they are free from live pests; the phytosanitary treatment methods (such as chemical agents, temperature, duration, and other technical requirements) must be specified in the phytosanitary certificate.

The content and format of the phytosanitary certificate shall be confirmed by both parties in advance.

IX. Entry Inspection and Quarantine and Handling of Non-compliant Goods

(I) Upon arrival of the cashews destined for China at the Chinese port of entry, China Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine supervision; entry will be permitted if the goods are found to be compliant.

(II) Should China Customs discover any non-compliance with China’s laws and regulations regarding food safety and phytosanitary measures, or with national food safety standards, China Customs will handle the matter in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

X. Other Matters

Cashews from Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and The Gambia have already been granted quarantine access to my country; the relevant import inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements shall be implemented in accordance with General Administration of Customs Announcements No. 85 of 2024, No. 123 of 2024, and No. 135 of 2025.

GACC