GACC announcement on importing foods into the comprehensive bonded zones
GACC had just announced that issue on concerning the inspection and release of overseas foods which will entry into the comprehensive bonded zones (sometimes been so called as free-trade zone). The announcement clarifies that the conditions for [release after sampling]. Implementing the [release after sampling] supervision, brings convenience to the importer under the premise of ensuring the quality of imported food, effectively saves the time of food import, contributes to the development of corporate integrity and promotes the high-quality development of comprehensive bonded zones.
This is for implementation Several Opinions of the State Council on Boosting the High-level Opening-up and High-quality Development of Comprehensive Bonded Zones (No. 3 [2019] of the State Council), overseas foods, which entry into the comprehensive bonded zones, will be subject to [release after sampling].
The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:
I.Foods imported from the comprehensive bonded Zones that needs to entry domestic territory may be subject to conformity assessment in the comprehensive bonded zones and released in batches; where laboratory testing is required, it may be released after sampling on the basis of the following conditions:
- The importer‘s commitment to import food meets the national food safety standards and related inspection requirements (including packaging requirements, storage and transportation temperature requirements, etc.).
- The importer has established a complete food import record and sales record system and strictly implemented it.
II. If the laboratory tests fail to find that the safety and health items are unqualified, the importer shall initiative recall in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety Law and take corresponding legal responsibilities.
This Announcement shall come into force on the date of issuance.