Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Fresh Pomegranate Fruits from Peru to China

According to the regulations of the Chinese Customs and the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation concerning phytosanitary requirements for pomegranates, effective immediately, the import of fresh Peruvian pomegranates meeting the following requirements is permitted.

I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis

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

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

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

(4) The Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Fruits;

(5) The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation of the Republic of Peru on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Peruvian Pomegranates to China.

II. Permitted Imported Commodity Name

Fresh pomegranate, scientific name Punica granarum, English name Pomegranate.

III. Permitted Origin

Peripheral pomegranate producing areas in Peru.

IV. Approved Orchards and Packing Plants

Pomegranate orchards, packing plants, and cold processing facilities for export to China must be reviewed by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation and approved and registered by the Chinese Customs. Registration information includes name, address, and registration code to ensure accurate traceability in case exported goods do not comply with the relevant provisions of this announcement. The registration list should be provided to Chinese Customs by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation before each export season.

V. List of Quarantine Pests of Concern to Chinese Customs

1. Anastrepha fraterculus

2. Ceratitis capitata

3. Cydia pomonella

4. Dysmicoccus neobrevipes

5. Frankliniella occidentalis

6. Pseudococcus viburni

VI. Pre-Export Management

(I) Orchard Management

1. Orchards exporting to China should establish and implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation, including maintaining orchard hygiene, removing rotten fruit, and implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), such as pest monitoring, chemical or biological control, and agricultural operations, to avoid or minimize the occurrence of quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs on pomegranates.

2. Phytosanitary measures in orchards exporting to China must be implemented under the guidance of technical personnel with knowledge of phytosanitary measures such as pest control and monitoring. If quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs are discovered, appropriate control measures should be taken immediately.

3. Orchards exporting to China should maintain records of pest monitoring, investigation, and control, and provide these records to Chinese Customs upon request. Control records should include detailed information such as the name, active ingredient, date of application, and concentration of all chemical agents used during the growing season.

4. For Ceratitis capitata and Anastrepha fraterculus, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation should conduct fruit fly monitoring and investigations in orchards and packing plants exporting to China during the pomegranate production season. For other quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs, orchards exporting to China should be monitored every two weeks from flowering to harvest, focusing on checking for target pests on branches, stems, leaves, fruit stalks, and fruits, and taking timely chemical, biological, or physical control measures based on the pest threshold levels.

5. For Cydia pomonella, pomegranates exported to China must originate from Cydia pomonella-free production sites approved by Chinese Customs or orchards with effective control measures implemented systematically.

(1) Cydia pomonella-free production sites.

The non-pesticide production sites must be established and maintained by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation in accordance with the requirements of International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 10 (ISPM 10). The establishment plan and emergency response plan for non-pesticide production sites must be reviewed and approved by Chinese Customs before implementation by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation. If Cydia pomonella is found in a relevant non-pesticide production site, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation will suspend the site's export qualification to China and must notify Chinese Customs within 48 hours, while immediately activating the emergency response plan.

(2) System Control Measures

Orchards exporting to China must conduct Cydia pomonella monitoring from the flowering period to the harvest period. The density of traps in the orchard should be one per hectare; orchards with an area of ​​less than 3 hectares should have at least three traps. The lure core should be replaced monthly, and the traps should be inspected every two weeks. If three or more Cydia pomonella are found in a trap, effective control measures such as mating interference techniques should be immediately implemented. For orchards where pest control measures are incomplete, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must suspend the orchard's export qualification to China and immediately notify Chinese Customs, requiring the orchard to provide a pest survey report or management records to Chinese Customs.

(II) Packing Plant Management

1. Packing plants and cold storage facilities must have good sanitary conditions and measures to prevent reinfection by pests (such as insect nets). Packing plants should establish a traceability system to ensure that pomegranates exported to China can be traced back to registered orchards, recording information such as processing and packaging dates, name of the source orchard or its registration number, production volume, export date, export quantity, destination country, and container number.

2. The processing, packaging, storage, and shipping of pomegranates must be carried out under the quarantine supervision of officials from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation. Pomegranates exported to China must be transported in intact and clean containers, and the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must affix seals to the corresponding containers; when the goods arrive at Chinese ports, both the containers and the seals from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must be intact.

3. During processing, pomegranates should undergo washing, sterilization, screening, and grading, removing defective fruits and blowing the calyx cavity with an air gun, ensuring they are free of insects, mites, rotten fruit, branches, leaves, roots, and soil.

4. Packaging materials should be clean, hygienic, unused, and comply with relevant Chinese phytosanitary requirements. If wooden packaging is used, it must comply with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15).

5. Packaged pomegranates, if requiring storage, should be immediately stored separately to prevent reinfection by harmful organisms. Each package must be labeled in Chinese or English with the fruit name, exporting country, place of origin (province, city), orchard and packing plant name and registration number. Each package and pallet must be labeled with "输往中华人民共和国" or "Exported to the People's Republic of China" in Chinese or English.

(III) Quarantine Treatment Requirements.

Pomegranates exported to China shall be subject to pre-export cold treatment procedures (Annex 1) or in-transit cold treatment procedures (Annex 2) under the supervision of officials from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation.

(IV) Pre-export Quarantine

1. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall conduct sampling inspections on 2% of each batch of fresh pomegranates exported to China. If no phytosanitary issues occur within two years, the sampling rate shall be reduced to 1%.

2. If live quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs are found, the entire batch of goods shall not be exported to China. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall investigate the cause and take corrective measures. Simultaneously, the seizure record shall be preserved and provided to Chinese Customs upon request.

(V) Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements

1. Upon successful quarantine, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation shall issue a phytosanitary certificate, indicating the name or code of the orchard and packing plant, and noting "This consignment complies with requirements specified in the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Export of Fresh Pomegranate Fruits from Peru to China, and is free from quarantine pests of concern to China." in the supplementary declaration.

2. For goods subject to pre-export cold treatment, the phytosanitary certificate should specify the treatment temperature, duration, and name or registration number of the treatment facility. For goods subject to in-transit cold treatment, the phytosanitary certificate should be marked with "Cold treatment in transit" and specify the cold treatment temperature, duration, container number, and seal number.

3. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation should provide Chinese Customs with a sample phytosanitary certificate before trade commences for verification and filing.

VII. Import Inspection and Quarantine and Handling of Non-conforming Goods

When pomegranates imported into China arrive at Chinese ports of entry, Chinese Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine according to the following requirements:

(I) Verification of Relevant Certificates and Marks

1. Verify whether the imported pomegranates have obtained an "Import Permit for Animals and Plants".

2. Verify whether the phytosanitary certificate complies with Article 6, Paragraph (V).

3. Verify whether the packaging and pallets comply with Article 6, Paragraph (II).

4. For goods that undergo cold treatment before export, it is necessary to verify whether the phytosanitary certificate, the cold treatment result report signed and confirmed by the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation, and the fruit temperature probe calibration record meet the requirements of Article 6, Paragraph (3) of this announcement.

5. For goods that undergo cold treatment during transportation, it is necessary to verify whether the phytosanitary certificate, cold treatment report, and fruit temperature probe calibration record meet the requirements of Article 6, Paragraph (3) of this announcement.

(II) Entry Inspection and Quarantine.

1. Pomegranates exported to China should enter China through ports permitted by Chinese customs for the import of fruits.

2. Inspection and quarantine shall be carried out in accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, and national standards. Goods that pass inspection and quarantine are permitted to enter China.

(III) Handling of Non-compliant Goods.

1. If goods are found to originate from unregistered orchards, packing plants, or cold treatment facilities, the entire shipment shall not be permitted to enter China.

2. For goods that underwent pre-export cold treatment, if the cold treatment is deemed invalid or failed, the shipment will be subject to onshore cold treatment (if still possible within the container), return, or destruction.

3. If live quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs or newly emerging quarantine pests in Peru are found, or if soil or plant debris is found, the shipment will be returned, destroyed, or subjected to pest control treatment.

4. If the shipment is found to be non-compliant with Chinese food safety laws, regulations, and national standards, it will be returned or destroyed.

GACC

November 24, 2025

Pre-export Cold Treatment Procedures

I. Types of Cold Treatment Facilities

1. Pre-export cold treatment may only be carried out in cold storage rooms approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation.

2. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must ensure that the cold storage rooms used by exporters meet appropriate standards and have refrigeration equipment capable of bringing and maintaining the required temperatures for the fruit.

3. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must retain registration documents for cold storage rooms approved for pre-export cold treatment of fruit exported to China. These documents should include the following:

(1) Location and construction plans for all facilities, including detailed contact information for the owner/operator;

(2) Dimensions and capacity of the facilities;

(3) Types of insulation for walls, floors, and ceilings;

(4) Brand, style, type, and capacity of the refrigeration compressor, evaporator, and air circulation system;

(5) Temperature range of the equipment, specifications and details of defrost cycle control, and any integrated temperature recording equipment, etc.

4. Cold treatment facilities for fruit exported to China must be registered with the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation and jointly approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation and the Chinese Customs. Before the start of the export season, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must submit a list of currently registered cold treatment facilities to Chinese Customs.

II. Recorder Type

The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must ensure that probes and temperature recorders meet the following conditions

(1) Probe temperatures should be between -3.0 °C and +3.0 °C, accurate to ±0.15 °C;

(2) Capable of accommodating the required number of probes;

(3) Capable of recording and storing process data until inspection by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation;

(4) Capable of recording the temperature of all probes at least once per hour, achieving the required accuracy for probe temperature;

(5) Capable of printing out results identifying each probe, time, and temperature, and indicating the recorder model and container number.

III. Probe Calibration

Calibration must be performed using a standard thermometer approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation in a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water:

(1) Any probe with a reading exceeding 0 °C ± 0.3 °C must be replaced with another probe conforming to this standard;

(2) Upon completion of processing, the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation must verify the calibrated values ​​of the fruit temperature probes using the aforementioned calibration method.

IV. Probe Installation

1. Fruits on trays must be pre-cooled and placed into the cold treatment chamber under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation. Pre-cooling may be carried out by the exporter.

2. At least two probes must be used to measure the room temperature at the air outlet and return air outlet respectively, and at least three probes must be installed to measure the fruit temperature:

(1) One located in the center of the fruit in the middle of the cold treatment chamber;

(2) One located at the corner of the top layer of fruit in the middle of the cold treatment chamber;

(3) One located in the middle of the fruit near the return air outlet.

3. The installation of probes and their connection to the recorder must be completed under the supervision and guidance of the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation.

4. The recorder can be started at any time; however, processing time calculation can only begin when all fruit temperature probes have reached the specified temperature.

5. When using only the minimum number of probes, if any probe fails for more than 4 consecutive hours, the processing is invalid and must be restarted.

V. Processing Result Review

If the processing records indicate that all processing parameters have met the requirements, officials from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation can authorize the termination of processing and probe calibration; if the probe calibration results meet the requirements of Article 3, the processing can be considered successfully completed.

VI. Processing Result Confirmation

1. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must retain the probe calibration records after processing and provide them to Chinese Customs for review as required.

2. If the probe calibration reading after processing is higher than the initial calibration reading, the recorded reading must be adjusted accordingly. If the adjustment results indicate that the specified processing requirements have not been met, the processing must be deemed invalid. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation and the exporter must jointly determine whether the batch of fruit should be reprocessed.

3. The printed cold treatment temperature record must contain statistical data matching the treatment parameters to prove that the cold treatment has been completed.

4. The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must endorse the aforementioned cold treatment temperature record after confirming the success of the treatment and provide it to Chinese Customs for review as required.

5. If the treatment fails to meet the required cold treatment requirements, the recorder can be reconnected and treatment can continue if one of the following conditions is met:

(1) The Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation confirms that the conditions required by Article 6, Paragraph 3 are still met;

(2) The time interval between the stop and the restart is within 24 hours.

In both of the above cases, data collection can continue from the time the recorder is reconnected.

VII. Loading into Containers

1. Before loading, containers must be inspected by officials of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation to ensure they are free of pests, and the entrance must be covered to prevent pests from entering.

2. Fruits must be packed in buildings with insect-proof measures; or the cold storage exit and container entrance must be connected with insect-proof material.

VIII. Sealing of Containers

1. Containers carrying fruit must be sealed with coded seals, the seal number of which must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.

2. The seals can only be opened by Chinese customs at the port of entry.

IX. Storage of Fruit Not Immediately Packed

Treatment fruit that is not immediately packed may be temporarily stored under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation.

1. If the fruit is stored in a cold treatment room, the door of the cold treatment room must be closed;

2. If the fruit needs to be transferred to another storage room, the transfer method must be approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation, and no other fruit may be stored in that storage room;

3. The fruit must be packed in accordance with Article VII under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation.

X. Phytosanitary Certificate

1. The temperature, duration, name of the cold treatment facility or its registration number before export must be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.

2. When fruits are imported into China, the following documents must be provided to Chinese customs: a phytosanitary certificate, a cold treatment result report (with a cold treatment temperature record signed and confirmed by the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation), and a fruit temperature probe calibration record.

Cold Treatment Procedures in Transit

I. Container Type

The container must be a self-contained (integral) refrigerated transport container with refrigeration equipment capable of reaching and maintaining the required temperature.

II. Recorder Type

The Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation must ensure that probes and temperature recorders meet the following conditions:

1. Probe temperature should be between -3.0 °C and +3.0 °C, accurate to ±0.15 °C;

2. A sufficient number of probes are available;

3. Capable of recording and storing process data;

4. Capable of recording the temperature of all probes at least once per hour, achieving the required accuracy for probe temperature;

5. Printed temperature records must correspond to the time and temperature recorded for each probe, and indicate the recorder model and container number.

III. Probe Calibration

1. Calibration must be performed using a standard thermometer approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation in a mixture of crushed ice and distilled water.

2. Any probe with a reading exceeding 0 °C ± 0.3 °C must be replaced.

3. A "Fruit Temperature Probe Calibration Record" signed and confirmed by the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation must be provided for each container. The original must be attached to the accompanying phytosanitary certificate.

4. Upon arrival at the port of entry, Chinese Customs will conduct a calibration inspection of the fruit temperature probes.

IV. Probe Installation

1. Palletized fruit must be loaded into containers under the supervision of the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, Development and Irrigation. Packaging boxes should be stacked loosely to ensure sufficient airflow.

2. Each container must be equipped with at least 3 fruit temperature probes and 2 space temperature probes, specifically:

(1) Fruit temperature probe #1 is placed in the center of the top row of fruit inside the container;

(2) Fruit temperature probe #2 is placed in the center of the container, 1.5 meters (40-foot container) or 1 meter (20-foot container), at half the height of the fruit;

(3) Fruit temperature probe #3 is placed on the left side of the container, 1.5 meters (40-foot container) or 1 meter (20-foot container), at half the height of the fruit;

(4) Two space temperature probes are placed at the container's air inlet and air outlet, respectively.

3. All probes must be installed under the supervision and guidance of the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation.

4. Fruit must be pre-cooled in a cold storage room until the flesh temperature reaches 4 °C or below before loading.

V. Container Sealing

1. Containers carrying fruit must be sealed with coded seals.

2. The seal can only be opened by Chinese Customs at the port of entry.

VI. Verification of Treatment Results

1. Probes must be calibrated before the fruit is removed from the container.

2. If the fruit temperature probe records show compliance with technical specifications, and the probe calibration and placement meet the requirements of Articles 3 and 4, the treatment should be considered valid.

VII. Temperature Recording and Confirmation

1. Cold treatment during transport can begin before the fruit leaves the Peruvian port and end before or after arriving at the first Chinese port of entry.

2. Recording can be started at any time; however, the treatment time will only begin to be calculated when all fruit temperature probes have reached the specified temperature.

3. The cold treatment temperature records downloaded by the shipping company must be submitted to Chinese Customs. If the cold treatment is completed before the ship arrives at the port of entry, the cold treatment records downloaded on board can be transmitted to Chinese Customs en route.

4. Chinese Customs will review whether the cold treatment records comply with the relevant treatment requirements and determine the validity of the cold treatment based on the probe calibration results.

VIII. Phytosanitary Certificate

1. The cold treatment temperature and start time must be noted in the treatment section of the phytosanitary certificate. Additionally, "Cold treatment in transit," the container number, and the seal number should also be indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.

2. When fruit enters China, a phytosanitary certificate, a cold treatment report (with a record of the cold treatment temperature), and a fruit temperature probe calibration record must be provided to Chinese Customs.