Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for the Wild Aquatic Products Exported from African Countries

Based on relevant Chinese laws and regulations and following a risk assessment, the import of wild aquatic products from African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China is permitted, provided they meet the following requirements:

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(I) *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 the Inspection of Import and Export Commodities* and its implementing regulations.

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

II. Scope of Imported Products

Wild aquatic products refer to wild aquatic animal products and their derivatives intended for human consumption, as well as marine plant products (such as algae) and their derivatives. This category excludes amphibians, reptiles, aquatic mammals, live aquatic animals, and reproductive materials of aquatic animals and plants.

III. Requirements for Production Enterprises

Enterprises producing wild aquatic products for export to China (including production, processing, and storage enterprises) must be approved by the competent authority of the exporting country (hereinafter referred to as the "exporting country's competent authority") and be subject to its effective supervision. The food safety, hygiene management, and protection systems of these enterprises must comply with the requirements of China's food safety laws and regulations.

Enterprises producing wild aquatic products for export to China must be recommended for registration with China Customs by the exporting country's competent authority. Export to China is prohibited without such registration.

IV. Requirements for Imported Products

The exporting country's competent authority shall ensure that wild aquatic products exported to China meet the following conditions:

(I) Legally harvested in domestic or international waters.

(II) Neither the raw materials nor the products fall under the following circumstances:

1. Wild aquatic products exported or intended for export to China by the exporting country have violated China's food safety laws and regulations, national standards, or the provisions of this announcement, thereby seriously compromising the safety of wild aquatic products exported to China.

2. An outbreak of aquatic animal diseases—listed in the *List of Animal Diseases Subject to Entry Quarantine of the People's Republic of China* (hereinafter referred to as the "List") or notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and relevant to the products covered by this announcement—occurs within the territory of the exporting country and seriously compromises the safety of wild aquatic products destined for China.

3. A major food safety incident occurs within the territory of the exporting country, a major public health incident occurs at the production enterprise, or the fishing waters are affected by pollutants, thereby seriously compromising the safety of wild aquatic products destined for China.

(III) No drugs or additives prohibited in China have been used, either directly or indirectly; drugs or additives restricted or permitted in China have been used in accordance with regulations.

(IV) Official inspection and quarantine by the exporting country have detected no pathogenic microorganisms, toxic or harmful substances, or foreign matter listed in Chinese laws and regulations, nor any aquatic animal diseases listed in the "List" or notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

(V) The production process (including harvesting, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, transshipment, and export) complies with relevant Chinese safety, hygiene, and traceability requirements.

(VI) Product packaging and labeling comply with China's national food safety standards and relevant regulations on the safety management of imported food.

V. Certificate Requirements

The competent authority of the exporting country shall conduct inspection and quarantine of wild aquatic products destined for China in accordance with Chinese requirements and issue a sanitary certificate—agreed upon by both parties—for each consignment, certifying that the products comply with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and national standards regarding food safety. Certificates shall be printed in at least Chinese and English; English is mandatory for filling out the certificate.

The sanitary certificate shall contain complete information regarding the production enterprise of the wild aquatic products destined for China. The competent authority of the exporting country shall provide the Chinese side with certificate templates and official seals for record-filing. In the event of any changes, the competent authority of the exporting country shall notify the Chinese side for record-filing at least one month prior to the changes taking effect.

VI. Import Inspection and Quarantine and Handling of Non-compliant Products

China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine on wild aquatic products exported to China in accordance with China’s laws and regulations on food safety, national standards, and the provisions of this Announcement.

Non-compliant products shall be subject to destruction, return, or other handling measures. For production enterprises involved in serious issues or repeated non-compliance, the Chinese side may take measures such as intensifying inspection and quarantine or suspending imports.

VII. Other Requirements

Import inspection and quarantine requirements for wild aquatic products from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Djibouti, and Mozambique shall be implemented in accordance with General Administration of Customs Announcements No. 34 of 2022, No. 121 of 2022, No. 146 of 2024, No. 147 of 2024, No. 148 of 2024, No. 46 of 2026, and No. 58 of 2026.

GACC