GACC Overseas Manufacturers Registration of Imported Food (GACC Decree No.280) - China - Food & Food Contact Materials

Updated on June 9, 2026

On October 14, 2025, General Administration of Customs, P.R. China (GACC) issued the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (GACC Decree No. 280), which takes effect on June 1, 2026 and replace Decree No. 248. All overseas food manufacturers must register with the GACC to export products to China.

Cross-border Food Retail Imports Temporarily Exempt from GACC Registration

Who Must Do the Overseas Manufacturers Registration

All overseas food manufacturers, processors, and storage facilities that export foods to China.

*Food includes finished products, raw materials, and substances that are traditionally both food and Chinese medicinal materials; but does not include food additives (including flavors) and food-related products (including food packaging materials, detergents, and disinfectants)

How to Do the Overseas Manufacturers Registration

Food producers shall register with the GACC directly or through an agent.

Scope of Food Categories Under GACC Decree No.280

Classification

Scope of Food Categories

Included in the Catalog of Imported Foods Requiring Official Recommendation for Registration

17 Food Categories: meat and meat products, casings, bird's nests and bird's nest products, bee products, eggs and egg products, edible fats and oils, stuffed wheaten food, edible grains, grain flour and malt, dehydrated vegetables, seasoning powder, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, special dietary foods, health foods/dietary supplements, dairy products, aquatic products.

Note: Manufacturers involving the above food categories shall additionally submit an inspection report and a recommendation letter issued by the Competent Authority of the countries or regions where they are located during registration.

Excluded from the Catalog of Imported Foods Requiring Official Recommendation for Registration

Food other than the above 17 Categories

Free Webinar

To help companies respond to these policy changes, CIRS Group, together with HPA-Global, is to host a free webinar on the Policy Trends in Cross-Border E-Commerce for Imported Health Foods & Blue Hat Registration and Filing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 12:00-13:00 EST. Please click here for more details.

About CIRS

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, 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% hold Master’s or Doctoral degrees in food-related disciplines. The CIRS toxicology expert team consists 24 Chinese Certified Toxicologists (DCST), 2 American Board Certified Toxicologists (DABT), and 2 European Registered Toxicologists (ERT). CIRS has provided one-stop food compliance services to over 1,000 domestic and international food and related enterprises.

Our Services

Overseas Manufacturers Registration (outside 17 food categories);
Consulting service, assisting enterprises with registration.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.