China’s food ‘import curtain’ set to fall, foreign firms braced for impact of new law

China’s new food import law takes effect from Saturday, with all producers of food shipped to China now having to register with the customs authority

Chinese consumers bought US$108 billion worth of imported produce in 2020, with that number set to grow for 2021

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Chinese consumers bought US$108 billion worth of imported produce in 2020, with that number set to grow for 2021 as imports jumped nearly 30 per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:16pm, 31 Dec 2021

Getting wine, chocolate, and coffee into China could get even harder from Saturday, with new import restrictions adding fresh hurdles for foreign companies bringing products into the world’s largest market for food and drink.

Chinese consumers bought US$108 billion worth of imported produce in 2020, with that number set to grow for 2021 as imports jumped nearly 30 per cent year on year in the first three quarters.

But under laws set to kick in at the start of January, all producers of food shipped to China will have to register with the customs authority – yet another barrier for international companies that have long complained of being unfairly penalised.

The extra hurdle was previously required only for products posing potential health risks, such as seafood, but now coffee, alcohol, honey, olive oil, chocolate and several other products will also be scrutinised.

Will there be a margin of tolerance? What about the applications that are in progress but not approved? What about those who applied too late?

Alban Renaud

On New Year’s Day, “the import curtain will fall”, said Alban Renaud, a China-based lawyer with the firm Adaltys.