Regarding the Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Citrus from Botswana to China

In accordance with the phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh citrus fruit from Botswana to China—as agreed upon by the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana—the import of fresh citrus fruit from Botswana that meets the following requirements is permitted, effective immediately.

I. Legal and Regulatory Basis

(i) The Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China;

(ii) The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the 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 Administrative Measures for the Inspection, Quarantine, and Supervision of Imported Fruit;

(v) ​​The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Land and Agriculture of the Republic of Botswana on Phytosanitary Requirements for Fresh Citrus Fruit Exported from Botswana to China.

II. Permitted Commodities

Fresh citrus fruit, including:

1. Orange (scientific name: Citrus sinensis)

2. Mandarin (scientific name: Citrus reticulata)

3. Grapefruit (scientific name: Citrus paradisi)

4. Lemon (scientific name: Citrus limon)

III. Permitted Origin

Citrus-producing regions in Botswana.

IV. Approved Orchards and Packing Houses

Orchards, packing houses, and cold-treatment facilities intended for the export of citrus fruit to China must be audited by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana and jointly approved and registered by the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana. Registration information—including the name, address, and registration number—must be maintained to ensure accurate traceability should any exported consignments fail to comply with the provisions of this announcement. Before the start of each export season, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall provide a list of registered entities to China Customs. Upon review and approval by China Customs, this list will be published on its website and updated periodically.

V. List of Quarantine Pests of Concern to China Customs

1. Ceratitis capitata

2. Ceratitis rosa

3. Ceroplastes destructor

4. Ischnaspis longirostris

5. Scirtothrips aurantii

6. Thaumatotibia leucotreta

VI. Pre-export Management

(I) Orchard Management

1. Orchards registered for export to China shall establish comprehensive quality management and traceability systems under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana. They must implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)—including maintaining orchard hygiene (e.g., timely removal of fallen fruit)—and employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, such as pest surveillance, monitoring, chemical or biological control, and other relevant agricultural practices.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, shall conduct pest monitoring in the orchards specifically for the quarantine pests of concern to China Customs. If any such pests are detected, appropriate control measures must be implemented immediately.

3. For Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis rosa, and Thaumatotibia leucotreta, orchards registered for export to China must conduct monitoring from the flowering stage through the harvest period. The density of each type of trap used must be at least 3 per square kilometer; for individual orchards smaller than 1 square kilometer, at least 2 traps of each type must be deployed. Traps shall be inspected at least once every two weeks.

4. For Ceroplastes destructor, Ischnaspis longirostris and Scirtothrips aurantii, orchards exporting to China must conduct monitoring from the flowering stage through the harvest period, with checks performed every two weeks.

5. Orchards exporting to China must maintain records of pest monitoring, surveys, and control measures for at least two years and provide them to China Customs upon request. Pest monitoring records must include the date of monitoring, the names of any pests detected, and the control measures taken. Records of chemical control must include detailed information on all chemical agents used during the growing season, such as their names, active ingredients, concentrations, and dates of application.

(II) Management of Packing Houses.

1. The processing, packaging, storage, and shipment of citrus fruit destined for China must be carried out under the supervision of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agencies.

2. Packing houses must maintain good sanitary conditions and be equipped to prevent re-infestation by pests (e.g., through the installation of insect-proof netting).

3. During the packaging process, citrus fruit destined for China must undergo culling, selection, and grading, as well as sterilization, washing, brushing, and waxing, to ensure the fruit is free from insects, mites, decayed fruit, twigs, leaves, roots, and soil.

4. Citrus fruit destined for China must be packed and stored separately from citrus fruit intended for other markets.

(III) Packaging Requirements.

1. Packaging materials must be clean, hygienic, unused, and compliant with China’s phytosanitary requirements. If wood packaging is used, it must comply with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15).

2. Each carton must be labeled with information including the name of the fruit, the country of origin, the production area (region or district), and the name or registration number of the orchard and the packing house. Each carton and pallet must be marked in Chinese or English with "输往中华人民共和国" or “Exported to the People’s Republic of China.”

3. Containers used for the shipment of citrus fruits to China must be inspected prior to loading to ensure they are in a sanitary condition. Appropriate pest-prevention measures must be implemented during the loading process.

(IV) Cold Treatment Measures.

All citrus fruits exported to China must undergo cold treatment under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency. Cold treatment shall be conducted in accordance with the operational procedures for either pre-shipment cold treatment or in-transit cold treatment. The cold treatment parameters must meet the following requirements:

Lemons: 3°C or below (pulp temperature) for a continuous period of 18 days or longer.

Oranges, mandarins, and grapefruits (excluding lemons): -0.2°C or below (pulp temperature) for a continuous period of 16 days or longer; or 1.0°C or below (pulp temperature) for a continuous period of 19 days or longer. Prior to the cold treatment, the fruit must be pre-cooled for at least 72 hours to reach the required treatment temperature.

(V) Pre-export Inspection and Quarantine.

1. During the first two years of the citrus trade with China, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency shall conduct sampling inspections of the citrus shipments at a rate of 2% per consignment. If no phytosanitary issues arise within these two years, the sampling rate may be reduced to 1%.

2. If any live quarantine pests of concern to China Customs are detected, the entire consignment shall be prohibited from export to China. The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall investigate the cause and implement corrective measures. Furthermore, inspection records must be maintained and provided to China Customs upon request.

(VI) Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements.

1. For citrus shipments to China that have passed quarantine inspection, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall issue a phytosanitary certificate in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 12 (ISPM 12). The certificate must specify the names or registration numbers of the orchards and packing houses, as well as the container numbers. Additionally, it must include the following "additional declaration": "This consignment complies with the requirements specified in the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Citrus from Botswana to China, and is free from any quarantine pests of concern to China."

2. For consignments undergoing pre-export cold treatment, the phytosanitary certificate must specify the treatment temperature, duration, and the name or code of the treatment facility.

3. For consignments undergoing cold treatment during transit, the phytosanitary certificate must be marked with the phrase "Cold treatment in transit" and specify the treatment temperature, start time, duration, and the container and seal numbers.

4. Prior to the commencement of trade, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall provide a sample of the phytosanitary certificate to China Customs for record-keeping and verification purposes.

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

Upon the arrival of citrus shipments from Botswana at a Chinese port of entry, China Customs shall conduct quarantine inspections in accordance with the following requirements:

(I) Verification of Certificates and Markings

1. Verify whether the imported citrus is covered by a valid "Permit for Entry of Animals and Plants."

2. Verify whether the phytosanitary certificate complies with the provisions set forth in Section VI, Paragraph (VI) of this announcement.

3. Verify whether the markings on the packaging boxes or wooden packaging comply with the provisions set forth in Section VI, Paragraph (III) of this announcement.

(II) Entry Inspection and Quarantine

1. Citrus shipments to China must enter through ports authorized by China Customs for the importation of fruit.

2. Upon the arrival of citrus shipments at the port of entry in China, Customs shall verify the relevant documents and labels, and conduct inspection and quarantine in accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, national standards, and the requirements stipulated in this announcement. Shipments that pass inspection and quarantine shall be permitted entry.

(III) Handling of Non-compliant Shipments

1. If a shipment is found to originate from an orchard, packing house, or cold treatment facility not approved by China Customs, it shall be denied entry.

2. If the cold treatment is deemed ineffective, the shipment shall be subject to measures such as on-arrival cold treatment, return, or destruction.

3. If any live quarantine pests of concern to China Customs, or any quarantine pests newly detected in Botswana, are discovered, the shipment shall be returned, destroyed, or subjected to phytosanitary treatment.

4. If a shipment is found to be non-compliant with China’s food safety laws, regulations, or national standards, it shall be returned or destroyed.

 

GACC

October 27, 2026

 

Operational Procedures for Pre-export Cold Treatment

 

I. Types of Cold Treatment Facilities

(I) Pre-export cold treatment must be conducted in facilities approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana and the General Administration of Customs of China.

(II) The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, shall ensure that the cold treatment facilities used by exporters meet the appropriate standards and are equipped with refrigeration systems capable of achieving and maintaining the required fruit temperatures.

(III) The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, shall maintain registration records for all cold treatment facilities approved for the pre-export cold treatment of fruit destined for China. These records shall include the following information:

1. The location and construction plans of each facility, including detailed contact information for the owner/operator;

2. The dimensions and capacity of the facility;

3. The type of insulation used for the walls, floors, and ceilings;

4. The brand, model, type, and capacity of the refrigeration compressors, evaporators, and air circulation systems;

5. Specifications and detailed information regarding the temperature range of the equipment, defrost cycle controls, and any integrated temperature-recording devices.

(IV) Prior to the commencement of the citrus export season, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall submit a list of approved cold treatment facilities to the General Administration of Customs of China.

II. Types of Temperature-Recording Devices

The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, shall ensure that the temperature probes and recording devices meet the following requirements:

(I) They must be capable of measuring temperatures between -3.0°C and +3.0°C, with an accuracy of ±0.15°C;

(II) They must be able to accommodate the required number of probes;

(III) They must be capable of recording and storing data throughout the treatment process until such data is inspected by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency;

(IV) They must be capable of recording the temperature from all probes at least once per hour, while maintaining the specified level of accuracy;

(V) They must be capable of generating a printout that identifies each probe, the time, and the temperature, while also specifying the model of the recording device and the container number. III. Probe Calibration

Calibration must be performed in a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water, using a standard thermometer approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency:

(i) Any probe with a reading outside the range of 0°C ± 0.3°C must be replaced with another probe that meets this standard.

(ii) Upon completion of the treatment, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency shall verify the calibration values ​​of the fruit temperature probes using the aforementioned calibration method.

IV. Probe Placement

(i) Citrus fruit on pallets must be pre-cooled and loaded into the cold treatment chamber under the supervision of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency. Pre-cooling may be carried out by the exporter.

(ii) At least two probes must be used to monitor the chamber temperature—one at the air supply outlet and one at the air return inlet—and at least four probes must be inserted to monitor the fruit temperature, positioned as follows:

1. One in the center of the fruit load in the middle of the cold treatment chamber;

2. One at a corner of the top layer of the fruit load in the middle of the cold treatment chamber;

3. One within the fruit load, near the air return inlet;

4. One at a corner of the top layer of the fruit load, near the air return inlet.

(iii) The placement of probes and their connection to the data logger must be carried out under the supervision and guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency.

(iv) The data logger may be activated at any time; however, the treatment duration shall only begin to be calculated once all fruit temperature probes have reached the specified temperature.

(v) When the minimum required number of probes is used, if any probe fails for a continuous period exceeding 4 hours, the treatment shall be considered invalid and must be restarted.

V. Review of Treatment Results

If the treatment records indicate that all treatment parameters have been met, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency may authorize the conclusion of the treatment and proceed with the calibration of the probes. If the probe calibration results comply with the provisions set forth in Section III, the treatment shall be deemed successfully completed.

VI. Confirmation of Treatment Results

(I) The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, shall retain records of probe calibration performed after the treatment and provide them to China Customs for review upon request.

(II) If the probe calibration readings taken after the treatment are higher than the calibration readings set at the beginning, the recorded data must be adjusted accordingly. If such adjustments indicate that the specified treatment requirements were not met, the treatment shall be deemed invalid. The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana (or its authorized agency) and the exporter shall jointly determine whether the consignment of citrus fruit requires re-treatment.

(III) The printed cold treatment temperature records must include statistical data corresponding to the treatment parameters to verify that the cold treatment has been completed.

(IV) Upon confirming the success of the treatment, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana (or its authorized agency) shall endorse the aforementioned cold treatment temperature records and provide them to China Customs for review upon request.

(V) If the treatment fails to meet the required cold treatment standards, the data loggers may be reconnected and the treatment continued, provided that one of the following conditions is met:

1. The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana (or its authorized agency) confirms that the conditions stipulated in the protocol are still being met.

2. The interval between the time the treatment was interrupted and the time it was resumed does not exceed 24 hours.

VII. Loading into Containers

(I) Prior to loading, containers must be inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana (or its authorized agency) to ensure they are free from pests; the container openings must be shielded to prevent the entry of pests.

(II) Citrus fruit must be loaded into containers within a facility equipped with pest-exclusion measures; alternatively, the space between the exit of the cold storage room and the entrance of the container must be sealed using pest-proof materials.

VIII. Sealing of Containers

(I) The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana (or its authorized agency) shall secure containers loaded with citrus fruit using coded seals; the seal numbers must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.

(II) These seals may only be removed by China Customs at the port of entry.

IX. Storage of Citrus Not Packed Immediately

If treated citrus is not packed immediately, it may be stored temporarily under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency.

(i) If the citrus is stored in a cold treatment chamber, the door of the chamber must be kept closed.

(ii) If the citrus is to be moved to another storage facility, the method of transfer must be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, and no other fruits may be stored in that facility.

(iii) The citrus must be packed in accordance with the provisions of Article VII under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency.

X. Phytosanitary Certificate

(i) The temperature and duration of the pre-export cold treatment, as well as the name or registration number of the cold treatment facility, must be specified in the phytosanitary certificate.

(ii) Upon the arrival of the citrus, the phytosanitary certificate, the cold treatment report, and the calibration records for the fruit temperature probes must be submitted to China Customs.

 

Operational Procedures for Cold Treatment During Transit

 

I. Container Type

The shipping containers used must be integral (self-contained) refrigerated units, equipped with cooling systems capable of reaching and maintaining the required temperature.

II. Data Logger Type

The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana, or its authorized agency, must ensure the use of appropriate temperature probes and data loggers.

(i) The margin of error for temperature probes must be ±0.15°C within the range of -3.0°C to +3.0°C;

(ii) A sufficient number of probes must be used;

(iii) The equipment must be capable of recording and storing data throughout the treatment process;

(iv) Temperatures from all probes must be recorded at least once per hour, with the recorded data meeting the specified precision requirements for the probes;

(v) ​​Printed temperature records must indicate the time and temperature for each probe, as well as the identification numbers of the data logger and the shipping container.

III. Probe Calibration

(i) Calibration must be performed using a standard thermometer—approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency—in a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water;

(ii) Any probe yielding a reading outside the range of 0°C ± 0.3°C must be replaced;

(iii) A "Fruit Temperature Probe Calibration Record," signed and stamped by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency, must be issued for each container; the original document must be attached to the phytosanitary certificate accompanying the shipment;

(iv) Upon arrival of the citrus at a Chinese port of entry, China Customs will conduct a calibration check of the fruit temperature probes.

IV. Placement of Temperature Probes

(I) Packed citrus must be loaded into the shipping containers under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency; the cartons must be stacked loosely to ensure sufficient space for airflow.

(II) Each container shall be equipped with at least three pulp temperature probes and two ambient (air) temperature probes, positioned as follows:

1. Pulp temperature probe No. 1 (inserted into the fruit pulp) shall be placed in the center of the top layer of the first row of cargo within the container.

2. Pulp temperature probe No. 2 (inserted into the fruit pulp) shall be placed in the center, at half the height of the cargo stack, at a distance of 1.5 meters (for a 40-foot container) or 1 meter (for a 20-foot container) from the container doors.

3. Pulp temperature probe No. 3 (inserted into the fruit pulp) shall be placed on the left side, at half the height of the cargo stack, at a distance of 1.5 meters from the container doors.

4. Two ambient temperature probes shall be placed at the air supply vent and the air return vent of the container, respectively.

(III) All probes must be installed under the supervision and guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency.

(IV) Citrus fruits must be pre-cooled in a cold storage facility for at least 72 hours prior to loading, until the pulp temperature reaches the required cold treatment temperature.

V. Sealing of Containers

(I) Containers loaded with citrus fruits must be sealed with coded seals by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agency.

(II) These seals may only be removed by China Customs officials at the port of entry.

VI. Verification of Treatment Results

(I) The temperature probes must be calibrated before the citrus fruits are removed from the container.

(II) If the treatment records demonstrate that the technical specifications have been met, and the calibration and placement of the probes comply with the requirements set forth in Articles III and IV, the treatment shall be deemed satisfactory.

VII. Temperature Recording and Confirmation

(I) Cold treatment during transit begins before the container loaded with citrus fruits leaves Botswana and concludes either before or after the shipment reaches the first port of entry in China.

(II) Recording may be initiated at any time; however, the treatment duration shall only begin once all fruit temperature probes have reached the specified temperature.

(III) The shipping company shall download the cold treatment temperature records and submit them to China Customs at the port of entry. If the cold treatment is completed prior to the vessel’s arrival at a Chinese port, the treatment records may be downloaded while in transit and transmitted to China Customs for review.

(IV) China Customs will verify whether the treatment records comply with the relevant treatment requirements and determine the validity of the treatment based on the calibration results of the temperature probes.

VIII. Phytosanitary Certificate

(I) The cold treatment temperature, treatment duration, container number, and seal number must be specified in the "treatment" section of the phytosanitary certificate, with the additional remark: "Cold treatment in transit."

(II) Upon the arrival of citrus shipments, the phytosanitary certificate, cold treatment report, and probe calibration records must be provided to China Customs.

 

Supplementary Requirements for Cold Treatment in Transit via Third Country

 

I. Regulatory Authorization

Cold treatment in transit via a third country must be carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agencies. Prior to each export season, the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall provide a list of authorized entities to the General Administration of Customs of China. This authorization must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana.

II. Packaging Requirements

Once processed and packed, the goods must be secured by covering the entire pallet with mesh bags (with a maximum mesh aperture of 1.6 mm) or sealed covers. Each pallet must be marked with a standardized "identification number" to facilitate traceability.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall provide a detailed list specifying the number of pallets and the identification numbers for each shipment.

This list shall be prepared in triplicate: one copy shall be attached to the phytosanitary certificate; one copy shall be provided to the shipping company for verification of the goods upon arrival; and the third copy shall be provided to the authorized regulatory personnel and attached to the cold treatment report.

III. Pre-export Inspection and Quarantine

Before being transported from the packing facility to a port in a third country for cold treatment, the goods must undergo pre-export inspection and quarantine conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agencies, in accordance with the requirements of this announcement.

For all goods undergoing cold treatment in transit via a third country, the inspection conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana shall remain valid for 30 days.

IV. Verification and Execution of Cold Treatment by the Shipping Company

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Botswana or its authorized agencies, the shipping company shall verify the goods against the provided list. The shipping company must ensure that the goods remain intact—unopened and undamaged—until they arrive at the third-country port for cold treatment.

The shipping company shall carry out the cold treatment in accordance with the requirements of this announcement and, upon completion, download the temperature records logged during the process.

The shipping company shall execute the cold treatment for the goods as required by this announcement and issue a formal cold treatment report. The cold treatment report must include, at a minimum, the following information: the date/time the shipment was approved by the shipping line; the start and end times of the cold treatment process; the time the goods were loaded into the cold treatment container; the time and temperature data following loading; as well as the container number and the container seal number.