Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Raw Wool from Portugal to China
In accordance with the regulations of China Customs and the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs regarding quarantine and sanitary requirements for the import of Portuguese raw wool into China, effective immediately, the import of Portuguese raw wool that meets the following requirements is permitted:
I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis
(1) "Biosafety Law of the People's Republic of China";
(2) "Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Animal and Plant Quarantine" and its implementing regulations;
(3) "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Import and Export Non-Food Animal Products";
(4) "Protocol on Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for the Import of Portuguese Raw Wool into China between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs".
II. Scope of Imported Products
Raw wool in this announcement refers to unprocessed, greasy wool produced in Portugal.
III. Import Product Requirements
(I) Sanitary requirements at the place of origin of the product.
1. In accordance with the relevant regulations of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime confirms that Portugal is free of foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, sheep pox, and goat pox.
2. If any of the above-listed specific diseases occur in Portugal, the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime shall promptly notify the Chinese Customs of the relevant situation, including the name of the disease, the specific address of the farm where the disease occurred, the species and number of animals infected, and the control measures implemented by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime. In addition, the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime shall immediately cease the export of raw wool to China.
3. The Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime shall implement the national plan for the prevention, monitoring, control, and eradication of scrapie in accordance with the WOAH Code and provide annual implementation reports to the Chinese Customs.
4. The Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime confirms that anthrax, scrapie, brucellosis, and Rift Valley fever have not occurred in the source area of the exported raw wool (within a radius of at least 30 kilometers centered on the farm) within six months prior to shearing.
(II) Product Source Animal Requirements Raw wool imported into China must meet the following requirements:
1. Born and raised in Portugal, under the animal disease control of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs, or legally imported from a country approved for export of raw wool to China;
2. Not subject to movement restrictions and not culled as part of a brucellosis eradication program;
3. Originated from scrapie-free areas or farms as defined by the WOAH Code;
4. Free of diseases that could be transmitted through raw wool and pose a threat to human or animal health.
(III) Product Requirements: Raw wool imported into China must not contain animal tissue, blood, feces, soil, other debris, or harmful weed seeds.
IV. Storage Company Requirements
Storage facilities for raw wool exported to China must meet the following veterinary health requirements:
(1) Not stored together with other raw wool that does not meet the same sanitary conditions;
(2) Storage facilities must be under the supervision of the official Portuguese veterinary regulatory agency;
(3) No animal products other than raw wool exported to China are stored in the storage facilities;
(4) Approved by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs and subject to daily supervision by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs;
(5) Recommended by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs to the Chinese Customs for review and approval, and those qualified will be registered. The registration is valid for five years.
V. Packaging, Labeling, Storage, and Transportation Requirements
(1) Packaging must be made of new, unbreakable materials and intact to prevent cross-contamination;
(2) Packaged wool must be clearly and conspicuously labeled in English;
(3) Labeling must include at least the contract number (or batch number or mark), product name, package number, and place of origin;
(4) Necessary measures must be taken to prevent contamination during processing, storage, and transportation of raw wool exported to China.
VI. Pre-export Inspection and Certificate Requirements
The Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Affairs will conduct inspection and quarantine on raw wool imported into China in accordance with Portuguese laws and regulations and the Protocol. Veterinary health certificates will be issued to qualified importers certifying compliance with the relevant requirements of the Protocol.
VII. Entry Inspection and Quarantine Requirements
(I) Quarantine Approval
Importing enterprises must apply for an Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit in accordance with relevant regulations.
(II) Document Verification
1. Verify that the Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit has been obtained;
2. Verify that the importer is from a registered enterprise;
3. Verify that the health certificate is authentic and valid.
(III) Cargo Inspection
China Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine on raw wool imported from Portugal into China in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, and rules, and in conjunction with the requirements of this Announcement. Importers that pass inspection and quarantine will be allowed entry.
(IV) Handling of Non-Compliant Products
Non-compliant products will be returned, destroyed, or otherwise handled in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. For manufacturers experiencing serious or repeated non-compliance issues, China Customs will implement measures such as enhanced inspection and quarantine or import suspension.
GACC
