Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Imported Plant-Derived Fertilizers

I. Legal and Regulatory 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.

II. Definition of Phytogenic Fertilizers

Phytogenic fertilizers, as used in these requirements, refer to fertilizer products derived from plants that, after processing, may still transmit pests and diseases and do not contain animal-derived ingredients. Examples include fertilizers made from crop straw.

III. Applicable Countries or Regions

All countries and regions.

IV. Enterprise Registration Requirements

Phytogenic fertilizers must be produced and stored under conditions that prevent contamination or infection. Enterprises producing, processing, and storing phytogenic fertilizers must be registered with the plant quarantine authorities of their country or region and recommended to the General Administration of Customs. The recommended information must include the enterprise name and registration number with the competent authority of their country or region, address, product name and ingredients, production and processing techniques and technical specifications, epidemic prevention management measures, and packaging labeling (in both Chinese and English). Fertilizer products subject to registration according to law must also provide registration information issued by the relevant Chinese authorities. Enterprises exempted from registration must provide relevant supporting documentation. The General Administration of Customs will conduct an audit and, upon approval, register the application and publish it on its website. The registration is valid for five years. Three months before the expiration date, the plant quarantine authority of the country or region where the application is made must re-recommend the application to the General Administration of Customs. Upon approval by the General Administration of Customs, the validity period will be extended for another five years.

V. Product Requirements

Botanical fertilizers imported into China must comply with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and standards on fertilizer safety, hygiene, and environmental protection, and meet the following requirements:

(1) They must not contain any pests listed in the "List of Quarantine Pests of Plants Entering the People's Republic of China," any other pests that pose a serious threat to agricultural and forestry production, the ecological environment, or any invasive species;

(2) They must not contain any soil, animal carcasses, or other prohibited imports as stipulated by laws and regulations, or any other biosafety risk substances;

(3) They must not contain any animal feces, feathers, or other animal-derived ingredients;

(4) All materials in the botany fertilizer must be sterile.

VI. Product Packaging, Storage, and Transportation Requirements

(1) If packaged for transportation, the packaging must be newly used and clean. Products must be sealed and packaged. Each package must clearly indicate in Chinese and English the name of the phytosanitary fertilizer, place of origin, and the names of the production, processing, and storage companies, as well as their registration numbers in China.

(2) Storage areas for phytosanitary fertilizers prior to export must be relatively independent, clean, and sanitary, with effective measures in place to prevent pest infestation.

(3) Transport vehicles must be clean and sanitary, free of pests and other debris. Packaging must not be opened or replaced during transportation.

(4) If wooden packaging is used, it must comply with International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15.

VII. Pre-Export Quarantine Requirements

The plant quarantine authorities of the exporting country or region must inspect phytosanitary fertilizers prior to their import into China. For phytosanitary fertilizers that meet these requirements, a phytosanitary certificate must be issued in accordance with ISPM No. 12, with the additional declaration stating "This shipment complies with China's phytosanitary requirements for phytosanitary fertilizers entering China" and the names of the production, processing, and storage companies and their registration numbers in China. For plant-derived fertilizers that have been treated for pests, the plant quarantine certificate should indicate the treatment technical specifications, including temperature, humidity, pesticide, and concentration.

VIII. Import Declaration Requirements

The domestic consignee or its agent shall declare to the customs in accordance with the law, fill in "fertilizer" in the "Purpose" column of the customs declaration form, and provide the plant quarantine certificate and other documents as required.

IX. Entry Quarantine and Handling of Non-Compliances

(1) Verification of Certificates and Documents.

Verify that the plant quarantine certificate is authentic and valid, and that it is consistent with the declared information and cargo information.

(2) Cargo Inspection.

Phytosanitary inspection shall be conducted on plant-derived fertilizers, their packaging, and transport vehicles. If necessary, samples shall be collected and sent to the laboratory for quarantine. Those that pass the quarantine inspection shall be allowed to enter the country.

(3) Handling of Non-Compliances

1. Products without a valid quarantine certificate issued by the plant quarantine authority of the exporting country or region shall be returned or destroyed.

2. If soil, animal carcasses, or other prohibited items according to laws and regulations are found, they will be returned or destroyed.

3. If live quarantine pests or other live pests that pose a serious threat to agricultural, forestry, or the ecological environment are found, they will be allowed entry after satisfactory pest control. If no effective pest control method is available, they will be returned or destroyed.

4. If any other violations are found that do not comply with China's inbound plant quarantine laws and regulations and national standards, they will be handled in accordance with relevant regulations.

The General Administration of Customs will notify the plant quarantine authorities of the exporting countries or regions of any violations discovered and, depending on the circumstances, will take measures such as suspending the import of relevant companies and types of phytosanitary fertilizers into China in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

X. Other Requirements

The General Administration of Customs will conduct further risk assessments on inbound phytosanitary fertilizers based on pest interceptions and other information, and will dynamically adjust the list of phytosanitary fertilizer types permitted for entry and the list of exporting countries or regions.

Imported plant-derived fertilizer samples used for fertilizer registration are exempt from the production, processing, and storage enterprise registration requirements, provided relevant supporting documentation. The Chinese registration number need not be indicated on the product packaging or plant quarantine certificate.

GACC

September 22, 2025