SGS : China update “Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Inward Aquatic Animals”

SAFEGUARDS | Food NO. 169/16

On August 1, 2016, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China published decree of AQSIQ No. 183 on 'Measures on the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Inward Aquatic Animals', effective September 1, 2016. The old version, AQSIQ No. 44, which took effect on November 1, 2011, has expired.

There are six chapters in this decree: general provision (article 1 to 5), quarantine access (article 6 to 13), overseas inspection and quarantine (article 14 to 21), inspection and quarantine for import (article 22 to 35), transit and transfer inspection and quarantine (article 36 to 38), supervision and administration (article 39 to 47), legal liability (article 48 to 53), and annex (article 54 to 58).

The key differences between the old version and the new decree update are:

• The requirement for the export country

Defines the AQSIQ regime for inward aquatic animals quarantine access, including product risk analysis, safety and sanitation system appraisal and audit, requirement confirmation of inspection and quarantine, registration of overseas aquaculture and packing enterprises:

• The requirement for overseas inspection and quarantine

The registered enterprises and relevant fishing areas shall be in conformity with the relevant laws and regulations of the exporting country, and shall be under the effective supervision of a competent authority of the exporting country or region.

• Inspection and quarantine for import:

1. Edible aquatic animals shall be imported from designated entry ports announced by AQSIQ

2. Inspection and quarantine departments of the port of entry will take the responsibility for testing edible aquatic animals and inspection of epidemic diseases of aquatic animals, control of safety and sanitation

3. Inward aquatic animals for breeding, aquaculture and ornamental use should be isolated for at least 14 days in an area designated for quarantine needs

• Transit and transfer inspection and quarantine

The consignor, or its agent, shall apply for transfer inspection to an inspection institution designated by AQSIQ, if it needs to transfer from Hong Kong or Macau to the Chinese Mainland. Transfer to the Chinese mainland will not be allowed without a transfer inspection or if there is only an unqualified transfer inspection.

• The important issues for import enterprise:

1. Overseas enterprises should register with AQSIQ

2. The package of aquatic animals to be exported to China but coming from different aquaculture farms or fishing areas should be separated, different kinds of aquatic animal should be in individual packages in order to satisfy the animals' living and well-being needs

3. If inward aquatic animals departing from an exporting country or region, transit in a third country or region, before entry into China, the consignee or his agent shall supply details of transportation routes and transit treatment in the third country or region when applying for the quarantine permit. This must include whether the animals left the customs supervision area, changed their means of transport, the packaging was opened and/or replaced and whether the animals has access to the water environment of the third party country or region, or not. If any of the above information is omitted, the licence application will be denied

4. The consignor or its agent shall apply for transfer inspection to an inspection institution designated by AQSIQ, if it needs to transfer from Hong Kong or Macau to the Chinese Mainland. Transfer to the Chinese mainland will not be allowed without a transfer inspection or if there is only an unqualified transfer inspection.

Reference:http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn/xxgk_13386/zvfg/flfg/201608/t20160801_471333.htm

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