When exporting agricultural products to China, businesses often encounter 4 types of codes: growing area code, packaging facility code, agricultural product registration code according to Notice 219/2025 and food registration code on the CIFER system according to Order 280. Each type applies to a different group of goods; Which code is needed depends on whether the goods are fresh fruit, semi-processed agricultural products or processed foods.
Why are agricultural product export codes to China easily confused?
All four types of codes are collectively called "GACC codes" because China uses them to control imports. But the legal basis, document receiving agency and declaration box on the Chinese customs declaration are different. The wrong code type can easily lead to submitting your application to the wrong place.
The table distinguishes 4 types of codes
| Code type | Apply for | Main base | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growing area code | Gardens and areas producing fresh fruits and agricultural products according to the requirements of importing countries | Decree 38/2026/ND-CP; bilateral protocol | Issued domestically, then sent to China for review |
| Packaging facility code | House for processing and packaging fresh fruits | Decree 38/2026/ND-CP; bilateral protocol | Comes with growing area code |
| Registration code according to Notice 219 | 2,589 agricultural products belonging to 20 groups | Notice 219/2025 GACC | The importer declares in license code box 302 |
| CIFER registration code | Enterprises that produce, process and preserve food | Order 280 GACC | The importer declares in license code box 519 |
Growing area code and packing facility code
These two codes are associated with fresh fruit and some agricultural products exported under the protocol between Vietnam and China. In Vietnam, code issuance is carried out according to Decree 38/2026/ND-CP; Documents submitted to specialized agencies assigned by the Provincial People's Committee. After issuing domestically, the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection forwards the list to China for consideration. A domestically issued code does not mean that it is eligible for export to all markets; Only codes on China's approved list can be used for shipments.
The planting area code must be close to actual production; Using a code for output beyond the growing area's capacity or using another unit's code may cause the code to be suspended or revoked.
Registration code according to Notice 219/2025
GACC Notice 219/2025 (effective December 15, 2025) stipulates that 2,589 agricultural products belonging to 20 groups when imported into China must have a letter of introduction from the competent authority and business registration. The main groups include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, spices, medicinal herbs, coffee, nuts, grains, animal feed, seedlings and seafood. The importer records the registration code in license code box 302 on the declaration.
CIFER registration code under Order 280
Order 280 (effective June 1, 2026, replacing Order 248) applies to enterprises producing, processing, and preserving food exported to China. Register on the cifer.singlewindow.cn system; The importer declares the code in box 519. The valid registration code under Order 248 will continue to be used.
17 groups need referral from competent authorities
According to GACC's Notice dated March 18, 2026, food groups that need to be introduced by the competent authority of the exporting country include: meat and meat products, sausage casings, bird's nest, bee products, eggs, edible oils and fats, wheat flour, edible cereals, cereal powder and malt, dried vegetables, spice powder, seeds and nuts, dried fruits, special dietary foods, health protection foods, milk and seafood. Other types of food are registered by businesses themselves.
The example identifies the type of code required
- Fresh mango, fresh durian: requires growing area code and packaging facility code approved by China according to the protocol.
- Cinnamon, star anise, cashew kernels: check the HS code in the list of Notice 219 and the food group list of Order 280 to know which category it belongs to.
- Dried mango, dried jackfruit: belongs to the group of processed foods, registered under Order 280; Dried fruits are in 17 groups that need to be introduced.
Frequently asked questions
I already have a growing area code, do I need a CIFER code?
Growing area code used for fresh fruit. If the enterprise exports additional processed products from fruit such as dried fruit, the processing facility needs to register under Order 280.
How do I know if a product belongs to Notice 219 or Order 280?
Look up the HS code and Chinese name of the product on the product type lookup function of the CIFER system and the list attached to Notice 219.
Can I borrow another business's code to export goods?
Are not. Code associated with specific facility and growing area; Using the wrong code can cause the code to be suspended, recalled, and the shipment at risk when clearing customs.
Conclude
Before signing a contract to export agricultural products to China, determine the correct code according to product type: fresh fruit needs a code for the growing area and packaging facility; Agricultural products in list 219 need to be registered and declared in box 302; Processed foods registered with CIFER and filed under 519.
Reference source
Government, Decree No. 38/2026/ND-CP dated January 24, 2026 on growing area codes and packaging facility codes; Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection, section Code of growing area - packaging facility: https://pppd.mae.gov.vn/ma-so-vung-trong---co-so-dong-goi.html. General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Notice No. 219/2025 (effective December 15, 2025). GACC, Order No. 280 dated October 14, 2025: https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/2025/issue_12426/202511/content_7049741.html. GACC, Notice dated March 18, 2026 on implementation of Order 280 (PDF): https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202603/P020260323534740961032.pdf.
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