Doing Business in China - Making the most of the free trade agreement

In this section:

› Complying with labelling requirements
› Using Hong Kong
› Import-Export Flow Chart
› Where to from here?

For information on regulations governing animal products and food inspection, sanitary and certification requirements, see the New Zealand Food Safety Authority's Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) for China.  They outline China's sanitary and certification requirements for animal products. The China OMAR is password protected - go here to get a password.

For information on China's zoosanitary, phytosanitary inspection and certification requirements for live animals, animal germplasm and plant and forestry product exports to China, contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

The following links contain more detailed information about exporting:

• animals and animal products
• plants, plant products and forest products.

Complying with labelling requirements

The inspection of import labels is the responsibility of China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) offices at the port of entry.

Before packaged products are imported or distributed into China, labelling verification must be sought from CIQ. This takes one to two weeks. When going through this procedure you should consider specifying in your contract with the importer or distributor that you retain 'ownership' of the label after approval. This will make it easier to work with other distributors in the future should the need arise.

The main items required for verification of labelling are:

• completion of the Application Form of Import Food Labelling Verification
• brief explanation of the original English label in Chinese. According to the National Standard of the Labelling of Foods (GB7718-1994), the label should include the details stated below
• Certificate of Origin
• registration information and qualifications of distributors or dealers
• samples of Chinese label (see content below)
• sample of product for inspection

The mandatory items for the Chinese label are:

1. name and trademark of the product
2. ingredients
3. net weight and solid content
4. name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer
5. production date (y/m/d) and storage instructions
6. packer/distributor (name and address)
7. batch number
8. country of origin
9. quality guarantee and/or storage period (y/m/d)
10. usage instructions

Although the law bans the use of temporary adhesive labels, some foreign exporters continue to attach small and simple labels (translated into Chinese) on the outside of the package. This is done either prior to delivery to China or by the Chinese importer under the supervision of the CIQ in the nominated bonded warehouse. This is a risky option and is something that may be more stringently enforced in the future by Chinese authorities. Always consult closely with your importer or distributor.

For more information see www.ChinaFTA.govt.nz or seek NZTE assistance for introductions to specialist consultants as the undertaking of research.

There are standards consultants who can help you manage standards and certification processes. For a list of consultants, contact NZTE.

Using Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a separate territory from mainland China for many functions of interest to exporters and has its own rules and regulations, which are administered by Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department or Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

For more information on China Customs:

• China Customs English website

Import-Export Flow Chart

(Hong Kong Trade Development Council 2008)

Where to from here?

Get up to speed when it comes to dealing with customs and regulations (if you're not already).