🍎 Food & Beverage

Import Food to China: The Complete Guide

From GACC registration to customs clearance, here's everything you need to know about getting your food products into China's massive market.

$180B

Import Market (2024)

4-8

Weeks Timeline

$2-5K

Initial Setup

📦 Popular Food Categories

These are the most commonly imported food categories from ASEAN, Japan, Korea, and Western countries:

🍪

Snacks & Confectionery

Cookies, chocolate, candy

🥤

Beverages

Juice, tea, coffee, soft drinks

🥜

Nuts & Dried Fruits

Almonds, dates, dried mango

🍯

Honey & Spreads

Honey, jam, nut butters

🌾

Grains & Cereals

Oats, rice, breakfast cereals

🥫

Canned & Preserved

Canned fish, vegetables

⚠️ Restricted or Prohibited Categories

Fresh meat (requires bilateral agreements & facility approval)
Fresh dairy (strict requirements)
Infant formula (separate registration system)
Products with certain additives banned in China
GMO products without approval

⏱️ Import Process Timeline

1. GACC Overseas Facility Registration

2-4 weeks

Your manufacturing facility must be registered with China's General Administration of Customs (GACC). Some countries have government-to-government registration; others require direct application.

2. Appoint China Importer

1-2 weeks

Identify a licensed Chinese importer who will handle customs clearance and bear legal responsibility for the products in China.

3. Importer Record Filing

1 week

The Chinese importer must complete record filing with local customs for food import qualification.

4. Chinese Label Design

1-2 weeks

Design compliant Chinese labels with all required information including nutrition facts table (per GB 28050).

5. Ship & Clear Customs

1-3 weeks

Products arrive, undergo CIQ inspection, and clear customs. First shipments may take longer due to additional scrutiny.

🏷️ Chinese Label Requirements

All pre-packaged food must have a Chinese label with the following mandatory elements:

Mandatory Label Elements (per GB 7718)

1 Product name (in Chinese)

2 Ingredient list (descending order)

3 Net content

4 Manufacturer name & address

5 China importer name & address

6 Production date

7 Shelf life / Best before date

8 Storage conditions

9 Country of origin

10 Nutrition facts table (per 100g format)

11 Allergen warnings (if applicable)

12 Product standard code

💰 Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost Range	Notes
GACC Registration	$500-2,000	Per facility, one-time
Chinese Label Design	$300-800/SKU	Including nutrition calculation
Lab Testing (if needed)	$200-500/SKU	For nutrition verification
Import Agency Fee	$1,000-3,000	Per shipment or annual
Customs Clearance	$300-800	Per shipment

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GACC registration requirement?

Since January 2022, all overseas food manufacturers exporting to China must register with GACC. For 18 high-risk categories (meat, dairy, seafood, etc.), registration must be done through the exporting country's government. For other categories, companies can self-register through GACC's online system.

Can I use cross-border e-commerce to avoid requirements?

Cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has simplified procedures but still requires Chinese labels and has category restrictions and value limits. It's a good way to test the market before full general trade import.

What if my product contains additives?

All food additives must be approved for use in China (GB 2760). If your product contains an additive not on China's approved list, it cannot be imported unless you apply for new substance approval (a lengthy process).

How long does customs clearance take?

Typically 1-2 weeks for routine shipments. First-time imports or products requiring additional inspection may take 3-4 weeks. Perishable goods have expedited processes.

Ready to Import Food to China?

We handle GACC registration, label compliance, and customs coordination. Get a free assessment of your products.

Get Free Assessment →