GACC Registration

GACC Registration- An Overview

If you are running an export business of food in India and want to export food to China, then you must obtain GACC registration. GACC stands for the General Administration of Customs of China. It is a mandatory registration of overseas food producers, processors, and storage facilities with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). It is a prerequisite for any food product to be legally imported into China from any country in the world, including India.

A GACC license is an endorsement assuring your products are safe and secure, an approval that they are fit for the market in China. Connect with the team of Enterslice for end-to-end services related to the same. Our GACC Registration Package Includes:

What are the Key Benefits of GACC Food Registration?

The list of key benefits of GACC food registration is as follows:

Access to China’s huge market

Enables legal export of food products to China, tapping into a consumer base of over 1.4 billion people. Also expands your reach across major cities as well as emerging rural markets with growing demand for imported food.

Smooth customs clearance & shipment security

Prevents detention, rejection, or destruction of consignments at Chinese ports.

Ensures faster clearance, reducing delays, demurrage charges, and financial losses.

Enhanced export credibility

Demonstrates compliance with international food safety standards.

Builds trust with Chinese importers, distributors, and large retail chains, improving your competitive position.

Eligibility for export incentives

Increases chances of availing benefits from authorities like APEDA and MPEDA. Supports access to schemes such as RoDTEP and other government-backed export promotions.

Stronger business relationships

Many Chinese buyers prefer or require GACC registered suppliers.

Opens doors to long-term contracts, partnerships, and consistent repeat orders.

5-year validity with continuous export advantage

Registration remains valid for 5 years, avoiding yearly re-application hassles.

Allows uninterrupted exports, subject to ongoing compliance and annual updates on the CIFER portal.

What are the Documents Required for GACC for Food Export?

The list of documents required for GACC for Food Export is as follows:

Step-by-Step GACC Registration Process (Government Recommended)

The step-by-step GACC registration process, as per the government recommendations, is as follows:

GACC Food Registration under Self-Registration Process (Other Food Products)

The step-by-step GACC food registration under the self-registration process is as follows:

What is the Timeline for GACC Registration?

The timeline for GACC registration is as mentioned below:

Eligibility Criteria for the GACC Certificate for Food Export

The list of eligibility criteria for the GACC Certificate for Food Export is as follows:

• Must be a legally registered food business in India (company, LLP, partnership, or proprietorship)
• Must have a valid Import Export Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade
• Must hold a valid FSSAI License (Central or State, not basic registration) from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
• Must have a food safety management system (HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, etc.)
• Production facility must follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP)
• Must have a proper traceability system for tracking products from raw materials to final dispatch
• High-risk products require approval from authorities like APEDA, MPEDA, or EIA
• For self-registration, you must have a valid email ID and an authorized person to operate the CIFER portal
• Meat and seafood exporters must have EIA or MPEDA approval with inspection clearance
• Dairy exporters must be approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and EIA with China-compliant processes
• Grain and spice exporters must meet China’s pesticide residue limits (MRLs)
• Must follow pest control, allergen management, and microbiological testing standards

What are the Penalties for Non-compliance with GACC Registration?

The list of penalties for non-compliance with GACC registration is as follows:

• Shipments may be detained at Chinese ports, resulting in storage and handling costs
• Goods can be rejected if a valid GACC registration is not available
• Exporters may have to re-export the shipment or bear destruction costs
• Unsafe or non-compliant food products may be destroyed by the authorities
• Businesses can be blacklisted, making future exports to China difficult
• GACC registration may be suspended or permanently cancelled for violations
• Repeat non-compliance leads to stricter inspections on future shipments
• Significant financial losses due to penalties, delays, and damaged business relationships
• Chinese importers may also face penalties, leading them to avoid unregistered exporters

Who Needs to Obtain GACC Approval?

The list of entities that need to obtain GACC approval is as follows:

GACC Registration Validity & Renewal

Some of the important points to consider for a GACC registration validity & renewal are as follows:

• GACC Registration is valid for 5 years from the date of approval.
• During this period, the enterprise can export food products to China without re-applying, subject to annual confirmation and continuous compliance.
• Renewal application must be filed 3–6 months before the expiry of the registration.
• The renewal process is similar to the initial application but is usually simpler if compliance has been properly maintained.
• For Pathway 1 (Decree 248): Renewal must be submitted through the competent authority to GACC.
• For Pathway 2 (Decree 249): Renewal is filed directly by the enterprise on the CIFER portal.
• If renewal is not completed before expiry, the registration lapses. In such cases, the enterprise must apply again as a new applicant.

Post GACC Registration Certificate Compliances

The list of Post GACC Registration Certificate compliances is as follows:

• GACC Registration comes with ongoing compliance obligations that must be followed throughout the 5-year validity period.
• Annual confirmation on the CIFER portal is mandatory to ensure all registration details remain accurate and updated.
• Failure to complete the annual confirmation may lead to suspension of the registration.
• The enterprise must continuously maintain its food safety management system (such as HACCP, ISO 22000, or equivalent) at the required standards.
• Any decline in food safety practices can result in audits or cancellation of registration.
• All significant changes in the enterprise must be reported to GACC within the prescribed time.
• Changes include updates in business name, legal status, ownership, or facility address.
• Addition of new production units or changes in exported product categories must also be reported.
• Major modifications in production processes or food safety systems must be disclosed.
• Any food safety incident, product recall, or regulatory action must be reported immediately.
• GACC may conduct remote or on-site inspections at any time during the validity period.
• Enterprises must fully cooperate and provide access to facilities, records, and staff during inspections.
• All exported products must comply with Chinese food safety standards (GB standards), including limits on contaminants, additives, and labelling requirements.
• Proper traceability records must be maintained from raw materials to final products.
• Traceability records should typically be retained for at least 2 years beyond the product’s shelf life.

Why Trust Enterslice for GACC Certificate?

Enterslice brings 15+ years of experience in GACC Exporter Registration, assisting 2,000+ food businesses with a 98% first-attempt success rate, ensuring smooth market entry into China. We provide comprehensive support for GACC Registration for Indian Producers and GACC Registration for Indian Exporters, along with clear guidance on the GACC Certificate Registration Fee.

FAQs on GACC Registration