Entering China: A Five Part Video Guide for International Dietary Supplement Brands

China remains one of the most important—and most complex—markets for the global dietary supplement industry. Regulatory requirements continue to evolve, cross-border e-commerce is facing greater scrutiny, and choosing the wrong market-entry pathway can cost companies significant time and money.

To help international brands navigate these challenges, CIRS Group, in strategic partnership with HPA-Global, has developed a comprehensive five-part video series. Here are the key issues international supplement brands need to understand, including general trade vs. CBEC, GACC registration, China’s Blue Hat system, and the common mistakes, timelines, and costs involved in entering the market.

Part 1: General Trade vs. Cross-Border E-Commerce

Part 2: Direct Shipping vs. Bonded Warehouse

Part 3: Understanding GACC Manufacturer Registration

Part 4: China’s Blue Hat System – Registration versus Filing

Part 5: Common China Registration Mistakes, Timelines, and Costs

Partner with CIRS Group for Your China Market Entry

Whether you are evaluating entry options or looking to ensure full regulatory compliance for your product portfolio, our regulatory experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

If you have questions about current Chinese health food regulations, GACC registrations, or market-entry feasibility, please contact the CIRS Group team or our partners at HPA-Global. We look forward to helping your brand navigate the regulatory landscape and establish a secure, compliant path forward in China.

Get In Touch

CIRS Group can help you identify the correct regulatory route and build a practical approval strategy. Click to contact our food regulatory experts or get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.

What Can CIRS Do for You

Established in 2007, the CIRS Group is a leading product safety and regulatory consulting firm. CIRS has branch offices in the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China. CIRS Group utilizes its technical expertise, various resources, and international network to provide one-stop compliance services, from regulatory compliance, laboratory testing, and R&D to data services across multiple industries. This includes chemicals, cosmetics, food and food beverages, medical devices, agrochemical products, disinfectants, and consumer goods. It helps clients gain a competitive advantage by reducing business risks associated with regulatory affairs.

The vast majority of members in CIRS Food Business Division have over 10 years of professional experience in food compliance, with more than 80% holding Master’s or Doctoral degrees in food-related disciplines. The CIRS toxicology expert team consists of 24 Chinese Certified Toxicologists (DCST), 2 American Board Certified Toxicologists (DABT), and 1 European Registered Toxicologist (ERT). CIRS has provided one-stop food compliance services to over 1,000 domestic and international food and related enterprises. Leveraging its technical expertise, diverse resources, and global network, the CIRS Food Business Division offers global food compliance services, including but not limited to:

• Health food registration and filing in China;
• Application for “Three New Foods (new food additives, new food raw materials and new food-related products” in China;
• U.S. GRAS, NDI, and CAP notifications;
• EU Novel Food, food additives, and food enzymes applications; and
• Application for new feed ingredients and feed additives in China, the U.S., and the EU.

CIRS White Paper Series

Driven by a global wave of food innovation, regulatory compliance and market access for novel food ingredients and additives have become critical hurdles for companies expanding internationally. Under this circumstance, CIRS Group has prepared the White Paper Series on Global Novel Food and Feed Ingredient Submissions, with the aim to help businesses navigate the evolving global regulations and accelerate global expansion.

Table of Contents

• Guide to U.S. GRAS Notification (🔥 Available NOW)
• Guide to U.S. New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) Notification (🔥 Available NOW)
• Guide to U.S. Animal Food Ingredient Regulatory Submissions: Animal Food GRAS Notices, Food Additive Petitions, FDA AFIC, and AAFCO SRIS (🔥 Available NOW)
• Guide to China’s New Food Raw Material (Novel Food Ingredient) and New Food Additive Applications
• Guide to China’s GMM-Derived New Food Ingredients and New Food Additive Applications: New Food Raw Materials (Novel Food Ingredients) and New Food Additives Derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms
• Guide to EU Authorisation Applications for Novel Foods, Food Additives and Food Enzymes
• Guide to EU Feed Materials and Feed Additive Regulatory Pathways
• Guide to Regulatory Applications for New Food Ingredients and Food Additives in Japan and South Korea
• Guide to Australia and New Zealand Novel Food Applications and Australian TGA Listed Medicine Ingredient Applications
• Guide to Canadian Novel Food Notifications and Food Additive Submissions