China to Release Cross-border E-commerce Food and Cosmetics Import Regulations

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (AQSIQ) is planning to release detailed regulations concerning the inspection of imported food and cosmetics in order to standardize cross-border e-commerce trade and procedures for each city test point of cross-border e-commerce. The AQSIS has released the following outline in order to seek public opinion.

1. Cross-border e-commerce imported food and cosmetics must meet the following four conditions. First, the product must be listed among the catalog of imported goods produced by foreign registered companies and be originally sourced to a registered foreign production company. Second, health products, beauty products, genetically modified organisms, and new food raw materials must be registered with a record and safety rating by the relevant department. Third, infant milk powder must comply with all stipulations and the general spirit of China's food safety law. Finally, any products which require plant or animal inspection, must apply for the appropriate certifications prior to import.

2. Cross-border e-commerce platforms belonging to foreign registered companies must use a Chinese registered company as an agent who bears the legal responsibilities.

3. AQSIQ will employ full inspection of all imported foods and cosmetics. Products approved by the AQSIQ through the cross-border e-commerce public information service platform can be listed for sale and delivery.

4. Products with quality and safety problems must be recalled, and the company must take steps to remedy the problem, eliminate harm, and destroy the defective products, as well as make a full report to the AQSIQ.

5. AQSIQ will inspect all food and cosmetics imported for cross-border e-commerce. 5% of low risk goods, 10% of medium risk goods and 20% of high risk goods will be sent to a laboratory for testing. Importers must also have the correct qualification certificates to import these goods.

6. If imported food and cosmetics fail to meet China's safety and health standards, then the importer will be notified, and these products will be recalled.

7. AQSIQ will concentrate on inspecting and quarantining goods in batches, and then releasing the goods to importers in batches.

8. For plant and animal products, inspection and analysis will be expedited.

9. AQSIQ will create cross-border e-commerce food and cosmetic databases in respective administrative regions.

10. Cross-border e-commerce companies and importers of food and cosmetics that do not conform to these rules and regulations will be blacklisted.

Keywords: government policy e-commerce Internet import AQSIQ cross-border e-commerce regulation

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