Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Pilose Antler and Deerhorn from New Zealand to China
In accordance with the regulations of China Customs and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries on quarantine and health requirements for the import of Pilose Antler and Deerhorn into China, effective immediately, the import of New Zealand Pilose Antler and Deerhorn that meet 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 Quarantine of Import and Export Chinese Medicinal Herbs";
(4) "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Import and Export Non-Food Animal Products";
(5) "Protocol on Quarantine and Health Requirements for the Import of New Zealand Pilose Antler and Deerhorn into China" between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries.
II. Scope of Imported Products
Pilose antler and deerhorn includes frozen Pilose antler and deerhorn for processing and dried Pilose antler and deerhorn for medicinal purposes. Frozen pilose antler and deerhorn for processing refers to freshly harvested pilose antler and deerhorn, properly cleaned, and stored and transported at low temperatures in an unprocessed (unsliced) form. Dried pilose antler and deerhorn for medicinal purposes refers to freshly harvested pilose antler and deerhorn, which has been boiled, roasted, cooled, and dehumidified for use as Chinese medicinal herbs.
III. Requirements for Manufacturers
Sources of pilose antler and deerhorn imported into China (including slaughtering, processing, packaging, and storage facilities) must meet the following requirements:
(1) They must be inspected by and under the effective supervision of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, comply with the requirements of the Protocol, and establish a product safety and hygiene management and traceability system.
(2) Dried medicinal pilose antler and deerhorn must be recommended by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to China Customs in accordance with the "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Quarantine of Imported and Exported Chinese Medicinal Herbs," and must be approved and registered by China Customs.
(3) Frozen pilose antler and deerhorn for processing must be recommended by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to China Customs in accordance with the "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Quarantine of Imported and Exported Non-Food Animal Products," and must be approved and registered by China Customs.
(4) Enterprises not registered with China Customs may not export pilose antler and deerhorn to China.
IV. Import Product Requirements
(I) Requirements for donor deer for pilose antler and deerhorn exported to China:
1. Must have been born and continuously raised in New Zealand.
2. Must be registered with the New Zealand National Animal Identification and Traceability Program (NAIT) and equipped with an approved RFID tag.
3. Must come from a farm that implements the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' National Disease Surveillance Program. 4. Must be sourced from farms or slaughterhouses that have not experienced anthrax, bluetongue, brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease, or chronic wasting disease in the past 12 months.
5. Must be under veterinary supervision and maintained in good health, with welfare status meeting New Zealand's animal welfare laws.
6. Must never have been fed feed containing ruminant ingredients (except milk and dairy products).
7. Must comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and relevant wildlife protection regulations of both sides.
8. The source of dried pilose antler and deerhorn for export to China for medicinal purposes must also be listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, and adjustments will be made accordingly based on the updates to the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China.
(II) Production and Processing Requirements.
1. Frozen pilose antler and deerhorn for export to China for processing must be collected from farms or slaughterhouses that meet the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' cleanliness, hygiene, and storage requirements and are registered in the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' traceability system. After collection, maintain intact form and store frozen below -15°C.
2. Dried pilose antler and deerhorn for medicinal use exported to China must be collected and processed at farms, slaughterhouses, processing plants, packaging, and cold storage facilities that meet the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' cleanliness, hygiene, and storage requirements and are registered in the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' traceability system.
3. Dried pilose antler and deerhorn for medicinal use exported to China must undergo boiling, baking, cooling, and dehumidification. The boiling temperature must be no less than 90°C for a minimum of 10 minutes; the baking temperature must be no less than 70°C (for a minimum of 30 minutes). The moisture content of the dried product must be no more than 13%.
V. Packaging and Labeling Requirements
(1) Frozen pilose antler and deerhorn for processing in China must be packaged using new, clean, and durable materials and labeled in both Chinese and English with the product name, weight, storage conditions, production date, and manufacturer's name, address, and registration number.
(2) Dried medicinal pilose antler and deerhorn must be packaged or pre-packaged using brand-new, non-toxic, and food-grade materials that meet international health standards. The product name, weight, storage conditions, production date, and manufacturer name, address, registration number, and other relevant information must be clearly labeled in both Chinese and English.
VI. Storage and Transportation Requirements
(1) Frozen pilose antler and deerhorn imported for processing into China must be stored in separate cold storage rooms, compartments, or shelves, separate from products that do not meet Chinese requirements.
(2) Dried medicinal pilose antler and deerhorn imported into China must be stored in separate rooms, compartments, or shelves, separate from products that do not meet the requirements of the Protocol.
(3) Storage and transportation conditions for pilose antler and deerhorn imported into China must comply with Chinese and New Zealand laws and regulations and the requirements of the Protocol to prevent product contamination.
VII. Pre-export Inspection and Certification Requirements
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries is responsible for ensuring that Pilose Antler and Deerhorn imported into China comply with the relevant provisions of the Protocol and for issuing health certificates.
VIII. Entry Inspection and Quarantine Requirements
(I) Certificate Verification.
1. Verify that the importer is a registered enterprise.
2. Verify that the Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit has been obtained.
3. Verify that the health certificate is authentic and valid.
(II) Cargo Inspection.
China Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine on Pilose Antler and Deerhorn imported from New Zealand to China in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, and rules, and in conjunction with the requirements of this Announcement. Products that pass inspection and quarantine will be allowed to enter the country.
(III) Handling of Non-compliance.
If non-compliance is found during entry inspection and quarantine, China Customs will handle the matter in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, and the Protocol. For manufacturers experiencing serious or repeated non-compliance issues, Chinese Customs may implement enhanced inspection and quarantine measures or suspend imports.
IX. Other Requirements
Medicinal dried pilose antler and deerhorn imported into China must also comply with the relevant provisions and requirements of the "Measures for the Administration of Imported Medicinal Materials" and other laws and regulations.
GACC
July 29, 2025
