Language selection

Search

China (People's Republic of) - Export requirements for fish and seafood

Third-Party Information Liability Disclaimer

Some of the information on this Web page has been provided by external sources. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information should consult directly with the source of the information. Content provided by external sources is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.

On this page

Eligible/ineligible product

Eligible

Fish and seafood products eligible to be exported to China

Ineligible

Pre-export approvals by competent authority of importing country

Export of live aquatic animals to China

List of Canadian Live Aquatic Animal Establishments Registered to export to China

In order to export to China, establishments who process, label, pack and/or store live aquatic animals must appear on China's List of live aquatic animal establishments registered to export to China (available in Chinese only) administered by GACC.

Procedure to add, modify or delete a live aquatic animal establishment registered to export to China

The CFIA must recommend the approval of establishments for listing by GACC

Please contact your local CFIA office to initiate a request in writing and include the following information:

It is important to note that the Government of Canada has no control or advance knowledge as to when GACC will publish future versions of this updated list on its website.

Note: Before final approval, GACC may request additional information and/or audit the establishment.

Establishments that export only live aquatic animals do not need to be registered in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system.

Establishments involved in the export to China of both live and non-live products prior to export to China must be on the List of live aquatic animal establishments posted on GACC website and also be added to the establishment's account in CIFER

Export of non-live aquatic animals to China

China Decrees 248 and 249

CIFER profiles (also called accounts)

Registration and other processes in CIFER
Verifying establishment registration in CIFER

A list of all registered enterprises can be found in the CIFER query system

Product specifications

Maximum levels for chemical contaminants

Maximum levels for therapeutants and antibiotics

Item Products Maximum level
Crystal violet (and Leucocrystal violet) Aquaculture and wild caught fresh water fish None detected
Malachite Green (and Leucomalachite Green) Aquaculture and wild caught fresh water fish None detected
Terramycin Not specified 0.1 mg/kg muscle (1 mg/kg = 1 ppm)

Packaging, labelling and marking requirements

As of January 1, 2022:

Note: the packaging and labelling requirements of foods produced before January 1, 2022, shall follow the original requirements that were in place prior to the implementation of Decrees 248 and 249.

Establishment Registration Number on packaging:

Documentation requirements

Certificate

Note: exporters are responsible for ensuring that the establishment is eligible to ship the products being certified. Exporters may contact their local CFIA office for information on how to add additional products if they want to ship products that they are not currently approved for in CIFER.

  1. For fresh and frozen products including bivalve molluscan shellfish: Health Certificate for Fishery products intended for export from Canada to the People's Republic of China (CFIA/ACIA 5328).
    The following information must be included on the certificate:
    • the appropriate CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) operational area, that is to say, Atlantic Canada, Quebec Canada, Ontario Canada, or Western Canada, under Section 11(2). Origin of fishery products, "Production Place"
    • for all caught fish, the name and registration or licence numberFootnote 1 of all of the fishing vessels used to harvest the fish as well as the FAO fishing area
    • for all aquacultured fish, the name and address of 1 of the fish farms where the fish were raised
    • under Section II(2): Origin of the fishery products, "Name(s), registration/licence number(s) and address(es) of all producing and processing enterprise(s), factory vessel(s), cold store(s) or freezer vessel(s) registered by the CFIA for export to the People's Republic of China"
      • For example, if a product was processed at 1 establishment and then stored at a cold store, both facilities would need to be identified on the certificate
  2. For live product, including live bivalve molluscan shellfish: Origin and Hygiene Certificate for live fish intended for export for human consumption from Canada to the People's Republic of China (CFIA/ACIA 5584).
    The following information must be included on the certificate:
    • For all live bivalve molluscs:
    • For live crab harvested in FAO Area 67:
      • The fishing area and the sub-area beside the header: Section II. "Origin of the fishery products"
        • For example, indicate FAO Area 67 (British Columbia, Oregon, Washington or Alaska)
      • In Section II. "Origin of fishery products", Name(s), registration/licence number(s) and address(es) of all applicable producing and processing enterprise(s), factory vessel(s), cold store(s) or freezer vessel(s) registered by the CFIA for export to the People's Republic of China"
        • For example, if a product was processed at 1 establishment and then stored at a cold store, then both facilities would need to be identified on the certificate

For all other live products:

Other information

Further information on import requirements can be obtained from the General Administrations of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).

Appendix A - Request for addition to the list of live or non-live aquatic animals approved for export to China

Common name Scientific name Class Order Family Genus Species Processing method Production method
(wild or culture)
Territorial waters
(sea water or fresh water)
Country of origin Estimated annual production in Canada (tonnes) Estimated annual shipment to China (tonnes)
                         
Date modified: