On this page
- Eligible/ineligible products
- Eligible products
- Ineligible products
- CFIA pre-export requirements
- Pre-export registration in CIFER
- Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence
- CFIA application form for CIFER
- Establishment ID numbers
- Pre-export registration by competent authority of importing country
- CIFER accounts and application processes
- Establishment information
- Product registration approval date in CIFER
- Harmonized System (HS) codes and China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) codes in CIFER
- Additional considerations
- Ambient storage establishments
- Packaging, labelling and marking requirements
- Establishment registration number on packaging
- Other documentation requirements
- Export certificates
- Other information
- Audit by GACC
- GACC general information
- Market access enquiries
Eligible/ineligible products
Eligible products
Under Decree248 and Decree249, honey and bee products have been classified by China's General Administration of Customs China (GACC) as "medium risk".
As far as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is aware, Canada has market access for China for all honey and bee products which also require registration in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system.
Ineligible products
It is unknown if there are any honey or bee food products from Canada currently ineligible for registration.
CFIA pre-export requirements
Pre-export registration in CIFER
Food establishments that manufacture, process or store honey or bee products for export to China must be approved by CFIA prior to submitting their "applications for registration" in the CIFER system.
Note: Establishments responsible for ambient storage should verify with their importer in China whether CIFER registration is required.
Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence
Establishments submitting honey or bee product applications in theCIFER system must first be licensed under, and in compliance with, all aspects of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).
Establishment SFC licences must include the activity "preparing food for export".
Note on name and address: Establishments should ensure their company name and address on their SFC licence exactly matches their information in CIFER.
Note on SFC licence expiry:Establishments are advised to renew their existing SFC licence well in advance of its expiration date. Expiration of an SFC licence automatically retires the previous SFC licence number; only a new number may be issued by CFIA. A change in SFC licence number could negatively affect an establishment's registration status with GACC and subsequent clearance of shipments upon arrival in China.
CFIA application form for CIFER
The CFIA requires food establishments responsible for medium risk products to complete a CFIA application form prior to submitting applications in CIFER.
The form legally authorizes CFIA to submit establishment information to GACC in the CIFER system and is a legal waiver of CFIA liability for GACC decisions related to CIFER applications.
The CFIA application form can be obtained from the local CFIA office.
Establishment ID numbers
GACC requires all honey and bee product establishments to have an "overseas registration number" issued by the competent authority of the exporting country. CFIA issues an establishment identification (ID) number for this purpose, on request, prior to establishments creating their profile/account in CIFER. The establishment ID number can be either:
- a CFIA-issued4-character identification number; or
- a registration number that was issued by CFIA prior to the SFCR, that is, prior to2019
Note: Establishments may request a 4character ID number through their local CFIA office.
Note: Establishments should not use their SFC licence number as their "overseas registration number" because the SFC licence number is subject to change in certain circ*mstances, for example, when a licence expires.
Note on China registration numbers for products: After an establishment is registered in CIFER, they may apply for product registrations. Each product type approved by GACC in CIFER will be assigned an 18digit "China registration number" which begins with the designation "CCAN".
Pre-export registration by competent authority of importing country
CIFER accounts and application processes
To be eligible to export food to China for human consumption, all honey and bee product establishments, including processors, manufacturers, and cold storage warehouses must:
- create an account (also known as a profile) in the CIFER system
- request to have their account "certified" by CFIA in CIFER. A certified account allows establishments to submit applications for product registration in CIFER
- apply for product registrations in CIFER for review by CFIA and submission to GACC in CIFER
The following changes must be submitted as applications in CIFER for CFIA review and submission to GACC for review and approval:
- applications for new registrations
- product additions
- product modifications
- cancellations of product registrations
- registration renewals
- company legal name changes
For additional information on making applications in CIFER, please refer to the following 2webpages:
- CIFER-Guidance for industry
- CIFER-Checklist tool for industry
Establishment information
Some establishment information cannot be changed in CIFER after an account is created, for example, the overseas registration number and the physical address.
Product registration approval date in CIFER
Products produced, processed, or manufactured at an establishment prior to the product registration approval date in CIFER may not be exported to China.
Harmonized System (HS) codes and China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) codes in CIFER
It is critical that individual products are registered in CIFER with the correct Harmonized System (HS) code and China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) code. Shipments arriving in China with an incorrect HS or CIQ code in CIFER may be rejected at the border. Exporters are advised to communicate with their importer in China for verification of HS and CIQ codes.
Additional considerations
Canadian establishments should always consult their importer in China to identify any additional requirements for foods and agri-foods exported to China.
Ambient storage establishments
The CFIA understands that Canadian ambient storage establishments may not be exempt from registration with GACC depending on the activities they perform with respect to the food product. Such establishments should verify with their importer in China whether CIFER registration is required.
Packaging, labelling and marking requirements
It is the responsibility of Canadian establishments and exporters to communicate with their importers in China to ensure that packaging, labelling and markings meet China's requirements.
Establishment registration number on packaging
Foods must be marked on the inner and outer packaging with GACC-issued China registration number or the CFIA-issued establishment identification number (overseas registration number)
It is the responsibility of Canadian establishments and exporters to communicate with their importers in China to ensure that packaging, labelling and markings meet Chinese requirements.
Other documentation requirements
Export certificates
Exporters of honey should submit a Food Export Certificate Application Request to their local CFIA office to request the following documents:
- Request for inspection to obtain an export certificate–Honey (CFIA/ACIA2659)
- Exporter's declaration for the export certificate (CFIA/ACIA2659)–Honey
Note: each lot of honey must be graded prior to issuance of the export certificate (CFIA/ACIA2659).
Exporters of other honey related products and bee products for human consumption, such as flavoured honey, honeycomb (comb honey), royal jelly, bee propolis, and bee pollen, should request a Certificate of Free Sale (CFIA/ACIA 5786) by accessing My CFIA or contacting their local CFIA office.
Other information
Audit by GACC
Food establishments registered in CIFER may be subject to audits by GACC at any time. CFIA anticipates that the objective of GACC auditors would be to verify establishment and product compliance with China's regulatory requirements; however, the scope of potential future audits is unknown.
GACC general information
Further information on import requirements can be obtained from GACC. The CFIA encourages Canadian establishments to work with their importers in China to confirm the regulatory requirements of food and agri-food shipments prior to export.
Market access enquiries
If Canadian establishments have questions or are seeking support regarding Canada's market access to China for certain food products, they should contact the AAFC-MAS single window at aafc.mas-sam.aac@agr.gc.ca.
