China’s new requirements for imported food products

Pictured: China's new requirements for imported food products - Have your say

China’s new requirements are broad: they apply to all countries, including Australia, and to all imported food products. Australian food businesses will need to act now to ensure they are prepared to meet the requirements. 

The Australian food regulation system is a strong system. Our system is made up of laws, policies and standards that are based on scientific evidence and expertise, and protect the health and safety of consumers. Equally, the system provides confidence to our trading partners that our products are safe, traceable and meet their import requirements. This rigorous system provides a firm platform on which our food industries operate, and from which to meet China’s new requirements. 

New registration processes  

Some Australian food manufacturing, processing and storage businesses currently exporting food products to China, may need to register their business with China and verify that their labelling practices meet these new requirements. Registration processes and labelling requirements vary by commodity. 

Businesses may may need to self-register with China from 1 November 2022.

For businesses exporting under existing registration and listing processes, such as meat, seafood and dairy businesses, no immediate registration actions are required but businesses should verify that their labelling is compliant. 

Ask a question

To ask the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment questions about the new regulations visit Have Your Say.