On November 15, 2024, China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) released a draft of the amended Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine for Imported and Exported Feed and Feed Additives (referred to as the "draft Measures") for public consultation. Since pet foods fall under the regulatory scope of feed products in China, they are subject to stringent safety supervision and inspection during import clearance.
The draft Measures build upon the existing regulatory framework and introduce significant updates regarding the inspection and quarantine of imported pet food, the registration of overseas manufacturers, and legal responsibilities for non-compliance. The revised regulation increases the original number of provisions from 70 to 76 articles, with 54 articles revised, 14 added, and 8 removed.
Key Updates in the Draft Measures
Enhanced Import Safety Measures
Imported pet foods are now explicitly subject to sampling and testing based on China’s national biological safety monitoring and risk management protocols.
GAC is empowered to take corrective actions against non-compliant overseas manufacturers, including:
Tightening inspection and quarantine requirements.
Ordering product rectifications.
Suspending imports of specific products.
Revoking manufacturer registrations if violations persist.
Overseas Manufacturer Oversight
The draft proposes stricter requirements for the registration of overseas manufacturers exporting pet food to China. Non-compliance with import inspection or quarantine measures could lead to suspension or deregistration.
Streamlined and Strengthened Regulations
Drawing on years of inspection and quarantine experience, the draft enhances China’s regulatory oversight of imported pet food products to align with evolving safety and compliance standards.
Existing Regulatory Framework for Pet Food in China
In addition to GAC's oversight, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) plays a central role in regulating pet food products marketed in China. Key elements of the existing regulatory framework include:
Product Registration and Compliance
Overseas manufacturers of compound pet feed and additive premix feed must secure an import registration license from MARA before exporting to China.
All ingredients and additives in pet food must comply with positive lists issued by the authorities.
Labeling Regulations
The Labeling Regulations for Pet Feed set mandatory requirements for labeling items, such as:
Product name.
Net weight.
Usage instructions.
Product claims must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines to ensure accuracy and prevent misleading consumers.
Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) and Pet Food Sales
In addition to traditional trade channels, many pet food companies are leveraging online cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) platforms to sell their products in China. This route provides an alternative for overseas manufacturers to reach Chinese consumers directly. However, products sold via CBEC must still comply with relevant regulations for labeling, safety, and ingredient approval if they are to enter the general market.
The proposed amendments to China’s imported pet food regulations reflect the government’s continued efforts to enhance oversight and safety in this growing market. Stricter inspection protocols, reinforced manufacturer accountability, and alignment with broader national safety objectives aim to ensure that imported pet foods meet the highest standards of safety and quality.
For pet food manufacturers and exporters, understanding these changes and ensuring compliance will be essential to maintain market access and consumer trust in China’s highly regulated pet food sector. Companies should also monitor further updates to these draft Measures as they progress toward finalisation.
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