Food exporters urged to renew China registration

MANILA, Philippines  —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding local companies exporting food to China to renew their registration as the Chinese trade regulatory body has issued the notice of approaching deadline.

According to the DTI, the Import and Export Food Safety Bureau of General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) had specifically noted that some Philippine aquaculture production enterprises have exceeded or are approaching their registration expiry date.

“The (GACC) requires overseas food production enterprises exporting to China to have their registration renewed, with the application for renewal to be filed within three to six months before the expiry of registration,” the DTI said in an advisory.

“Failure to apply for renewal of registration or failure to provide timely explanation, in writing, the reason for late renewal may result in deregistration,” it added.

The DTI said that aquaculture production enterprises wishing to renew their registration should coordinate with the Fisheries Inspection Section of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Processed food registration

Additionally, the DTI said exporters of processed meat products, sausage casings, aquatic products, dairy products, bird nest products, bee products and egg products should file their application at the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Food Regulation and Research. This also applies to exporters of edible oils and fats, oilseeds, stuffed wheaten products, edible grains, milled grain industry products and malt, dried beans, condiments, processed nuts and seeds, dried fruits, foods for special dietary purposes, health foods and frozen fruit.

For exporters of food products that were not mentioned, the DTI said they are required to directly register with the GACC through its website.

According to the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau, the Philippines exported $643.35 million worth of food products to China in 2023 and $720.30 million worth of the same goods in 2022