How Can I Obtain China’s GACC Registration?

GACC Registration, known in Chinese as 进口食品境外生产企业注册, is the registration of overseas food production companies with the General Administration of Customs of China (中华人名共和国海关总署). If your company manufactures, processes, or stores food for export to China, this registration is required before those products can be declared and imported into the Chinese market.

What is GACC Registration?

According to Articles 2 and 4 of the Provisions of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on the Registration Administration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food, GACC Registration is a mandatory registration for “overseas enterprises engaged in the production, processing, and storage of food exported to the territory of China”. 

Once registered, your company is issued a GACC Registration number (境外生产企业在华注册编号) that must be declared at customs and displayed on product packaging. Current registrations are valid for five years and must be renewed before expiry.

Why Do You Need GACC Registration?

GACC Registration ensures that your products can be lawfully declared and imported into China. Without it, customs clearance cannot be completed, and goods cannot enter China. If the required overseas producer registration number is not properly declared, customs may refuse to accept the import declaration. GACC also publishes registration information through its official systems, allowing importers to verify the status of overseas producers.

Who Needs GACC Registration?

If you are an overseas food manufacturer, processor, or storage company exporting food to China, you need to register with the GACC; it is the prerequisite for customs clearance of food products. The key requirement is that your approved registration must cover the relevant food categories and product information for the products being shipped to China. 

There are 18 food categories that require a letter of recommendation from the relevant authorities in the exporting country or region. These include the following: 

• Meat and meat products
• Sausage Casings
• Aquatic products
• Dairy products
• Bird’s nest and bird’s nest products
• Bee products
• Eggs and egg products
• Edible oils, fats and oil materials
• Stuffed pastry products
• Edible grains
• Grain products and malt
• Fresh and dehydrated vegetables and dried beans
• Seasonings
• Nuts and seeds
• Dried fruits
• Unroasted coffee beans and cocoa beans
• Special dietary foods
• Health foods

How Can I Obtain GACC Registration?

GACC Registration is processed through the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system, also known as the Single Window system. Below is a step-by-step guide:

1. Confirm Your Application Route

The first step is to determine how your product must be registered. Under GACC rules, overseas manufacturers are divided into two groups:

• Regulated Food Categories
  These require registration via the relevant authority in the exporting country or region, such as the FDA in the US. The authority must audit the enterprise, issue an inspection report, and formally recommend the application to GACC.
• All Other Food Categories
  These can be registered directly by the enterprise through CIFER, either independently or via an agent.

This classification is based on GACC’s official catalogue of food categories. Companies must match their products correctly, as applying under the wrong route will result in delays or rejection.

2. Create a CIFER Account

Once the correct application route has been confirmed, an application must be submitted through the CIFER system.

Companies must create a single enterprise account by providing basic personal and company details. Once created, key account information cannot be changed and will be used for all future applications, modifications, and renewals.

3. Prepare Application Materials

Before submission, companies must prepare the required documentation.

This includes:

• Enterprise registration application information. This includes the enterprise name, country (region) where it is located, address of production site, legal representative, contact person, contact information, registration number approved by the relevant authority of the country (region) where it is located, and the categories of food applying for registration.
• Company identification documents (e.g. business licence or equivalent)
• A declaration confirming compliance with GACC requirements

For regulated categories, additional documents are required:

• Audit and inspection reports issued by the relevant local authority
• A formal letter of recommendation from the relevant local authority.

GACC may also request further materials relating to:

• food safety management systems
• production processes and capacity
• facility conditions

All materials must be submitted in Chinese or English, and the enterprise is responsible for their accuracy and completeness.

4. Submit the Application

The process includes:

• Selecting the relevant product category
• Entering company, facility, and product information
• Uploading supporting documents
• Completing the required declaration
• Reviewing and submitting the application

Once submitted, the application cannot be modified and will be forwarded to:

• the competent authority (if applicable), or
• GACC directly

5. Evaluation and Review

GACC conducts an evaluation of the application based on risk level and compliance.

This may include:

• Document review
• Video inspection
• On-site inspection

For regulated categories, the application is first reviewed and recommended by the competent authority before being assessed by GACC.

6. Approval and Registration Number

If the application meets the requirements, GACC will issue a GACC registration number (境外生产企业在华注册编号) and will display all details in their official database, where all other GACC numbers are accessible.

If the application does not meet the requirements, registration will not be granted, and the applicant will be notified. Once registered, the registration number must be displayed on product packaging and must be declared during customs clearance. Registration is valid for five years. GACC may conduct re-inspections to ensure ongoing compliance, and companies must update any material changes to their registration information.

Can Foreign Companies Obtain GACC Registration?

Yes. GACC registration is specifically designed for foreign food manufacturers and production enterprises seeking to enter the Chinese market. Foreign companies can obtain GACC registration without establishing a Chinese entity solely for this purpose. However, foreign companies must meet the same food safety and quality standards required under Chinese regulations.

It is important to note that if companies handle food that falls under the regulated categories, they must work through their local regulatory authority. For other categories, companies can apply directly or via an agent.

How Can AppInChina Help?

AppInChina supports businesses across the full GACC registration process. We help by:

• Identifying which category your products fall under to ensure the correct registration pathway is chosen
• Managing submissions through the CIFER system
• Supporting online and offline retail and promotion of your products through local channels

Ready to export your food products to China? Contact us to assess your requirements and move forward with a compliant registration strategy.