Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for the Edible Aquatic Animals Exported from Myanmar

According to the regulations between the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar regarding the inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for the import of aquatic animals for consumption from Myanmar, effective immediately, the import of aquatic animals for consumption from Myanmar that meet the following requirements is permitted.

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(i) The Biosafety Law of the People's Republic of China;

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

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

(iv) The Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Aquatic Animals;

(v) The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Inspection, Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for the Import of Aquatic Animals for Consumption from Myanmar (hereinafter referred to as the "Protocol").

II. Scope of Imported Products

Edible aquatic animals refer to live aquatic animals, whether artificially bred or wild, intended for human consumption. This excludes species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the List of National Key Protected Wild Animals of China, and the List of Key Managed Invasive Alien Species. The relevant list of species is published on the website of the General Administration of Customs.

III. Quarantine Approval

Importing edible aquatic animals from Myanmar requires prior quarantine approval procedures and the acquisition of an "Import Quarantine Permit for Animals and Plants."

IV. Requirements for Production Enterprises

Production enterprises (including farms, packaging plants, etc.) exporting aquatic animals for consumption to China should meet the following conditions:

(I) Comply with Myanmar's laws and regulations and be subject to effective supervision by the relevant authorities of Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation;

(II) Be recommended to Chinese Customs by Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and obtain registration qualification from Chinese Customs;

(III) Registered enterprises must establish an effective self-management and traceability system for safety and hygiene to ensure that the entire process of breeding, harvesting, packaging, storage, transportation, transshipment and export of aquatic animals for consumption complies with the hygiene and traceability requirements of both China and Myanmar.

V. Import Product Requirements

(I) Wild aquatic animals exported to China for consumption must be legally caught in Myanmar or by Myanmar fishing vessels in international waters. Farmed aquatic animals for consumption must be farmed in Myanmar's domestic waters.

(II) During the farming, harvesting, temporary holding, packaging, and transportation of aquatic animals for consumption exported to China, drugs prohibited by both China and Myanmar must not be used. Drugs restricted or permitted by both sides must be used as stipulated.

(III) The Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation shall effectively monitor the diseases, toxic and harmful substances, and foodborne pathogens of aquatic animals exported to China for consumption. Monitoring results must meet the food safety and animal health standards of China Customs.

(IV) Before export, aquatic animals for consumption must undergo clinical examination by official inspection officials of the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. If no clinical symptoms of infectious or parasitic diseases are found, the animals are suitable for export.

VI. Packaging and Labelling Requirements

(I) Aquatic animals exported to China from different fishing areas or by registered enterprises should be packaged separately, and different species of aquatic animals should be packaged independently.

(II) Packaging containers should be brand new or sterilized and able to meet the needs of animal survival and welfare.

(III) Packaging materials, water or ice, and bedding materials should meet safety and hygiene requirements and should not contain pathogenic microorganisms, toxic or harmful substances, or aquatic organisms that may damage the aquatic ecosystem, which are harmful to animal, plant, and human health.

(IV) The outer packaging must be labeled with the following information: the name and scientific name of the aquatic animal, the fishing area (applicable only to wild-caught aquatic animals), the name of the farm/packaging plant and the exporting enterprise, the registration number, and the destination (the destination should be indicated as the People's Republic of China).

VII. Certificate Requirements

Each batch of aquatic animals exported to China must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar. The health certificate must have one original and two copies, and the original must accompany the shipment. The health certificate must be printed in Chinese and English or English only, and must include at least the following:

(i) Species (scientific and Latin names), packaging type, and quantity/weight of the aquatic animal for consumption;

(ii) If the aquatic animal for consumption is farmed, the name and registration number of the farm must be listed; if the aquatic animal for consumption is wild-caught, specific information on the catching area and the name and registration number of the packing facility must be listed;

(iii) Names and addresses of the exporter and importer;

(iv) Date of departure, port of departure, means of transport, and license plate number;

(v) Declaration that the aquatic animal for consumption complies with the relevant requirements of the Protocol and is suitable for human consumption;

(vi) Date of issuance of the certificate, and the signature or seal of the official veterinarian of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar;

(vii) Official seal of the competent authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Myanmar.

VIII. Other Requirements

Chinese Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine on aquatic animals for consumption exported to China in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, and other provisions, and in conjunction with the requirements of this announcement.

For substandard products, they will be returned, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. For manufacturers experiencing serious problems or repeated substandard issues, Chinese Customs may take measures such as strengthening inspection and quarantine or suspending imports.

GACC

July 14, 2026