GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS OF CHINA (GACC) REGISTRATION — MANDATORY FOR FOOD, AGRICULTURE & HEALTH PRODUCTS EXPORTED TO CHINA
GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) Certification is a mandatory registration requirement imposed by China's customs authority for foreign enterprises that wish to export food, agricultural products, aquatic products, dairy, health supplements, and related goods into China. Governed under China's Food Safety Law and GACC Order No. 248 (effective January 1, 2022), all overseas food production facilities, cold-chain operators, and importers must be registered in the GACC system before their products can clear Chinese customs.
Indian exporters exporting food and agri products to China must obtain GACC registration through the designated competent authority — FSSAI (for food) or APEDA (for agricultural & horticulture products) — before shipment. Non-registered entities face rejection at Chinese ports, resulting in costly returns and reputational damage.
All overseas food facilities exporting to China must be registered in the GACC online system effective 1st January 2022.
Any Indian enterprise exporting food, agri, or health products to China must obtain GACC registration through the competent authority.
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) for food products.
APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) for agri-horticulture products.
Confirm whether your product category and export destination require GACC registration under Order No. 248.
Submit application to FSSAI (food) or APEDA (agri products) — India's designated competent authority for GACC registrations.
Prepare facility details, product descriptions, hygiene certificates, FSSAI/APEDA license, and other required compliance documents.
Competent authority submits the enterprise registration data on the official GACC CIFER (China Import Food Enterprise Registration) portal.
GACC Beijing reviews the application, inspects records, and issues a unique GACC registration number to the approved enterprise.
Maintain GACC registration through annual self-declaration, label updates, and periodic compliance with China's food safety standards.
30–90 Working Days
Subject to GACC processing & competent authority verification5 Years
Annual self-declaration & renewal before expiryCompetitive Rates
Based on product category & number of facilitiesEnd-to-End Support
Registration through renewal & label complianceGACC registration is the gateway to selling food & agri products in the world's largest import market. Without it, your shipments will be held or returned at Chinese ports.
Mandatory under GACC Order No. 248 since 2022. Compliance protects your enterprise from import bans, blacklisting, and loss of export privileges to China.
A valid GACC registration number on your product label signals compliance to Chinese importers, distributors, and consumers — building confidence in your brand.
China is India's 5th largest trading partner. GACC certification opens doors to a massive consumer market worth billions of dollars in food imports annually.
Assistance in preparing Chinese-language product labels compliant with GB 7718 and other Chinese food labelling regulations.
Expert advisory for aligning your facility with HACCP, GMP, and ISO 22000 food safety standards required by China's customs authority.
Timely reminder and handling of GACC annual self-declarations, facility change updates, and certificate renewal filings.
Support in identifying and connecting with registered Chinese importers who can facilitate smooth customs clearance in China.
Our specialists handle end-to-end GACC registration, Chinese label compliance, and ongoing renewal support — so your exports reach China without delays.
