Argentine nuts that meet the stipulated inspection, quarantine, and sanitation requirements are now eligible for import into China. This follows the regulations set by Chinese Customs and the Argentine Ministry of Economy.
The regulatory framework is based on several Chinese laws, including the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," the "Law on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine," the "Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law," and the "Administrative Measures for Import and Export Food Safety." Additionally, the "Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Sanitation Requirements for the Export of Argentine Nuts to China" is a key document guiding these imports.
The products allowed for import include walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and almonds. These nuts must be derived from mature fruits grown, selected, dried, and processed in Argentina. They can be imported with or without shells, provided they are not ripe and are intended for human consumption.
Compliance with China's food safety laws and national standards is mandatory for nuts exported from Argentina. The nuts must be free from quarantine pests, live insects, insect eggs, soil, weed seeds, plant residues, foreign metal matter, gravel, and other impurities. Fumigation is required before export to eliminate any storage pests.
Manufacturers exporting nuts to China must ensure their products adhere to both Chinese food safety and plant quarantine laws. Production, processing, and storage units should be recommended by the Argentine Ministry of Economy and registered with Chinese customs.
The entire process, from raw material planting to export, must comply with relevant food safety and plant health requirements to prevent contamination by pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances. Packaging must be clean, hygienic, and made from breathable, new materials that meet food safety and plant quarantine standards. Packages must be labeled with specific traceable information in Chinese or English.
Transportation means must be inspected by the Argentine Ministry of Economy to ensure they meet hygiene requirements and are free from quarantine pests or restricted items. A plant quarantine certificate issued by the Argentine Ministry of Economy is required, indicating compliance with the protocol between both countries and detailing the quarantine treatment method. Argentine nuts exported to China must originate from enterprises registered with Chinese Customs.
Source: Foodgacc