Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Wild Aquatic Products from Ecuador to China

In accordance with the regulations of the Chinese Customs and the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries of Ecuador regarding the inspection, quarantine, and sanitation requirements for wild aquatic products exported from Ecuador to China, effective immediately, the import of wild aquatic products from Ecuador that meet the following requirements will be permitted:

I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis

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

(2) The Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Food Safety of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods of the People's Republic of China.

(3) The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries of the Republic of Ecuador on the Inspection and Sanitation Requirements for Wild Aquatic Products Exported from Ecuador to China.

II. Scope of Imported Products

Wild aquatic products refer to wild aquatic animal products and their products, and algae and other marine plant products and their products, intended for human consumption. They do not include amphibians, reptiles, aquatic mammals, species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Chinese National List of Key Protected Wildlife, live aquatic animals, and aquatic plant and animal propagation materials.

III. Requirements for Manufacturers

Manufacturers (including production, processing, and storage companies) exporting wild aquatic products to China must be approved by and subject to effective supervision by Ecuadorian authorities. The food safety and hygiene management and protection systems of these manufacturers must comply with relevant Chinese food safety laws and regulations.

According to the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and its implementing regulations, and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations, manufacturers exporting wild aquatic products to China must be recommended for registration by the Ecuadorian Competent Authority with Chinese Customs. Exports to China are prohibited without registration.

IV. Import Product Requirements

The Ecuadorian Competent Authority shall ensure that wild aquatic products imported into China meet the following conditions:

(1) They must be legally caught in domestic or international waters.

(2) Neither the raw materials nor the products have any of the following issues:

1. Wild aquatic products imported or to be imported from Ecuador into China seriously violate China's food safety laws and regulations and the provisions of the Protocol.

2. Aquatic animal diseases listed in the "List of Quarantine Diseases of Animals Entering the People's Republic of China" and notifiable by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) related to products covered by the Protocol have occurred in Ecuador, seriously affecting the safety of wild aquatic products imported into China.

3. A major food safety incident has occurred in Ecuador, a major public health incident has occurred at a production enterprise, or pollutants have been exposed in the fishing waters, seriously affecting the safety of wild aquatic products imported into China.

(3) They must not directly or indirectly use drugs or additives banned in China, and must use drugs or additives restricted or permitted in China as required by regulations.

(4) Inspection and quarantine by the competent authorities have revealed no pathogenic microorganisms, toxic and hazardous substances, or foreign matter specified in Chinese laws and regulations, nor any cases of infectious or parasitic diseases. No aquatic animal diseases listed in the "List of Quarantine Diseases for Animals Entering the People's Republic of China" or required to be reported by the World Animal Health and Welfare Association (WAAH) have been found.

(5) The production process (including harvesting, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, transit, and export) must comply with relevant Chinese safety and hygiene requirements and traceability requirements.

(6) Product packaging and labeling must comply with Chinese national food safety standards and relevant regulations on the management of imported food safety.

V. Certificate Requirements

The Ecuadorian Competent Authority is responsible for conducting inspection and quarantine on wild aquatic products imported into China in accordance with the requirements of Chinese Customs. It will issue a mutually confirmed health certificate for each batch of wild aquatic products exported to China, certifying that the products comply with the relevant provisions of Chinese food safety laws and regulations. The certificate must be printed in at least Chinese and English (English is the mandatory language when completing the certificate).

The health certificate must contain complete information on the manufacturer of the wild aquatic products imported into China. The Ecuadorian Competent Authority must promptly submit a sample certificate and official seal to China Customs for recordation. Any changes must be filed with China Customs at least one month before they take effect.

VI. Other Requirements

China Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine on wild aquatic products imported into China.

Substandard products will be destroyed, returned, or otherwise handled in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. For producers with serious or repeated non-compliance issues, China Customs may implement measures such as enhanced inspection and quarantine or import suspension.

GACC

October 11, 2025