For the first time since October 1, pre-packaged food imports to cancel the label filing requirements
On April 22, the general administration of customs issued a notice (2019 no. 70) on the inspection, supervision and administration of import and export pre-packaged food labels, cancelling the requirement for the first time import of pre-packaged food labels from October 1, 2019. What are the provisions of the notice on the label of imported pre-packaged food?
Ⅰ.In the import aspect, the announcement strengthened the main responsibility of pre-packaged food imports.Divided by import process:
Before import: the importer shall be responsible for verifying that the Chinese label of imported pre-packaged food conforms to the relevant laws, administrative regulations and national food safety standards of China. Those failing to pass the examination and verification shall not be imported.
During the import process: for on-site inspection and laboratory inspection of imported prepackaged food, the importer shall submit relevant inspection materials of imported prepackaged food labels to the customs personnel, including the qualification certification materials, original and translated labels of imported prepackaged food, Chinese label samples and other certification materials.
In terms of follow-up supervision: after verification and confirmation, if the labels of imported pre-packaged food reported by relevant departments or reported by consumers violate relevant provisions, the customs will deal with them according to law.
Ⅱ.On the export side, the announcement said that enterprises that export prepackaged food should ensure that the labels of their exported prepackaged food meet the standards or contractual requirements of the importing country (region).
Supervision of pre-packaged food labels for entry exhibition, sample, duty-free operation (except for duty exemption on islands), self-use of embassies and consulates, carried by passengers and entry through post, express mail, cross-border e-commerce and other forms shall be implemented in accordance with relevant provisions.
In recent years, the types and quantities of imported prepackaged food at domestic ports have increased rapidly. Take weihai port under the jurisdiction of Qingdao customs district as an example. In the first quarter of 2019, 276 batches of pre-packaged foods were imported from weihai port, with a total amount of $10.227,000. Most of the products were imported from South Korea and Japan, and the pre-packaged foods were various. The new regulations will play a positive role in improving the customs clearance efficiency of imported pre-packaged food, reducing the customs clearance cost of enterprises and shortening the circulation cycle of imported pre-packaged food.
What should be marked on the Chinese label of imported prepackaged food?
To protect public health and life safety, according to the food safety law of the People's Republic of China and its implementing regulations and the relevant provisions of the national food safety standards, import pre-packaged food should be with a Chinese label and indicate the name of the food, ingredients, country of origin, specifications and net content, production date, shelf-life, storage condition and operator's name, address and contact way, and require labeling nutrition table according to actual situation.
