The global pet food market is booming, and China has become the main source of high-quality and cost-effective pet food, including dry food, wet food, snacks, and grain-based formula foods. Importing pet food from China requires compliance with international regulations, strict quality inspections, and provision of complete documentation. Here is a structured guide aimed at simplifying the import process.
1.
Product Type: Clearly define the pet food category (such as dog/cat food, functional snacks, etc.) and key parameters (water content, ingredient composition, packaging type: bulk or retail packaging).
Target market regulations: Study the import regulations of the destination country. For instance, the EU requires compliance with the HACCP standard, while the US requires FDA registration. Chinese exported pet food must meet international microbiological standards (for example, Salmonella: 0 detected in a 25-gram sample).
2. Select qualified Chinese suppliers
Certification verification: Preferentially choose suppliers that have HACCP, ISO 22000 or GMP certifications. These certifications ensure that they comply with global food safety standards. Verify whether the supplier has registered its pet food export business with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
Production capacity: Confirm that the supplier can meet your order quantity (the minimum order quantity for pet food is usually 1-2 tons), and deliver the goods within 15-25 working days. Evaluate its raw material traceability system to ensure the legality of the raw material sources.
3. Improve documentation and registration
The import registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of China requires the submission of product information (ingredient list, processing flow chart, test report).
The health certificate issued by the Chinese customs certifies that the product complies with safety standards and the requirements of the target market.
Original certificate of origin, commercial invoice and packing list (both in English and Chinese versions are required).
Import License: Apply for an import license from the agricultural authority of your country (for example, the 36th Act registration in South Africa, the MPI import license in New Zealand). If the product has already been registered locally, some countries/regions may waive the license requirement.
4. Arrange transportation and packaging
Packaging requirements: Use brand-new, moisture-proof and sealed containers. The label must include the words "Not for human consumption", the name of the manufacturer, the registration number, and the nutritional information in your local language. Most suppliers offer custom services for their own brands.
Transport terms: Negotiate international trade terms (FOB, CIF) with the supplier. Select pre-shipment inspection (taking photos/videotaping) to confirm packaging and product quality. Ensure that the wooden pallets comply with ISPM 15 standards to avoid biosecurity issues.
5. Conduct customs clearance and post-arrival inspection
Customs inspection: Submit all the documents (import license, health certificate, invoice) for inspection. The customs will verify the consistency of the documents, the product labels, and potential contaminants.
Quality Inspection: After arrival, the samples will undergo tests for microbial safety (such as Salmonella, Enterobacteriaceae bacteria) and compliance with nutritional content declarations. To maintain the shelf life of the pet food, store it in a dry environment (15-25℃, humidity < 60%).
Inappropriate handling: Promptly address issues - incorrect labels may require correction, while contaminated products may need to be returned or destroyed.
Give priority to the safety of pet food: Ensure that the heat processing meets the standards.
Maintain clear communication with suppliers and customs to resolve the issue of missing documents.
Always keep an eye on any changes in regulations (for instance, the update of global pet food safety regulations in China in 2025), to avoid any delays.
By following these steps, importers can efficiently purchase high-quality pet food from China while complying with global trade regulations.