Shifting Chinese culinary tastes and dropping tariffs should encourage Australian exporters; however, Lindsay Frangs in Shanghai advises careful attention to import requirements.
In recent years, demand has risen for imported food products, particularly fish and seafood, processed and fresh meat, dairy products, beverages and confectionery.
As China meets its WTO commitments, Australian importers are facing lower tariff rates.
Significant challenges and barriers remain including complicated labelling requirements and difficulties in clearing quarantine.
The largest challenge begins with the quarantine and health inspection.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) is the national bureau responsible for the inspection and quarantine of any import of animal, plant and foodstuff products.
AQSIQ director (Shanghai division) Xiadong Guo said there are over 3000 regulations for the importation of food.
“To make these rules, including the labelling regulations, more efficient we are constantly refining them.
“From April 1, 2006, labels that were previously pre-approved through Beijing will no longer be required,” he said.
“The label and product will be inspected at the point of entry of the imported products.
“The primary requirement is for the Chinese label to be submitted alongside the overseas label with the additional required paperwork.
“If the inspection team finds any discrepancy between the label and the products they test in the lab, the product will be rejected.”
Australian importers have found the new system quicker, however inconsistency in approval rates is higher.
“The transition period has created confusion as companies scramble to become compliant,” said Nancy Hong from gourmet seafood importer Lonimar Australia.
“In addition to the new labelling system, we have seen a clamp down on laws relating to food additives and genetically modified foods.
“Sometimes it is done on an unscientific basis because the regional quarantine people are unsure about how some products comply.
“When the product is dealt with on a case by case basis, one shipment gets rejected while another passes.”