Seafood exported to China must write the registration code of the production facility on the packaging: according to Article 14 of Order 280 of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), it is the registration code in China or the code approved by Vietnamese competent authorities. For pre-packaged foods, China's Food Safety Law also requires Chinese labels, if lacking, the goods cannot be imported.
Regulations on recording registration codes on seafood packaging according to Order 280
Order 280 (海关总署令第280号) is the Regulation on management of registration of foreign manufacturing enterprises of imported food, announced on October 14, 2025, effective from June 1, 2026, replacing Order 248. Article 14 states: "已获得注册的企业向中国境内出口食品时，应当在食品包装上标注在华注册编号或者所在国家（地区）主管当局批准的注册编号。"
Simply put: when exporting food to China, registered businesses must print on the packaging registration code in China or code approved by the competent authority of the host country. Valid registration codes under Order 248 will continue to be used.
Aquatic products belong to a group that must be introduced by a competent agency
GACC announcement dated March 18, 2026 guiding the implementation of Order 280 announcing a list of 17 food groups that need to be recommended for registration by the competent authority of the exporting country, including seafood (水产品). The notice also includes cold storage used to preserve foods of terrestrial and aquatic animal origin within the scope of registration.
| Content | Regulations | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Write the code on the packaging | Code registered in China or code approved by the local authority | Article 14 Order 280 |
| Registration deadline | 5 years; seafood is not on the list of non-automatic renewals | Article 15, Article 21 Order 280 |
| Import declaration | The importer records the registration code in license code box 519 on the declaration | GACC Notice March 18, 2026 |
| Cold storage for seafood preservation | Belongs to the scope of registration | GACC Notice March 18, 2026 |
| Chinese label | Required for imported pre-packaged foods | Article 97 Food Safety Law |
Require Chinese labels for pre-packaged seafood
Article 97 of the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China requires that imported pre-packaged foods must have Chinese labels; Labels must comply with national food safety laws and standards, and must be clearly stated origin and Name, address, contact method of domestic agent. Pre-packaged foods that do not have Chinese labels or labels that do not meet the requirements cannot be imported.
Article 67 of the same law lists the label content: name, specifications, net weight, date of manufacture, ingredients, manufacturer, expiration date, storage conditions.
Steps to check packaging before packing
Step 1: Compare the code on the packaging with the GACC list
Look up the establishment's name in the list of registered businesses on the CIFER system (cifer.singlewindow.cn) or the GACC website. The code printed on the box must match the code of the facility that produced the shipment.
Step 2: Agree the label with the importer
Send the Chinese label design to the importer for approval before printing, especially the domestic agent information.
Step 3: Check the consistency between packaging, certificate and declaration
The product name, facility code, volume, and production date on the packaging should match the certificate issued by the Vietnamese authority and the importer information declared in box 519.
Step 4: Check intermediate cold storage
Goods stored in another unit's cold storage before export: check if that warehouse is registered.
Common errors
- Print the code of another facility or the code of the old factory after moving the production location. According to Article 20 of Order 280, moving production location is a case that requires re-registration.
- Chinese labeling lacks domestic dealer information.
- The code on the packaging is different from the code on the certificate or declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Which code is written on seafood packaging: Chinese code or Vietnamese code?
Article 14 of Order 280 allows the recording of registration codes in China or codes approved by Vietnamese competent authorities. Should agree with the importer to synchronize with the declaration.
Is the fisheries registration code automatically renewed?
According to Article 21 of Order 280, registration is automatically renewed for 5 years, except for goods on the list that are not automatically renewed (currently meat and meat products, bird's nests), establishments undergoing remediation, or the market is temporarily suspended from import.
Do live seafood have to be labeled in Chinese like pre-packaged products?
Article 97 applies to pre-packaged foods. With live, chilled and packaged seafood, businesses should ask the importer and intended border gate about specific label requirements.
Conclude
The code on the package is Chinese customs information used to compare the shipment with the registered facility. Recording the correct code according to Article 14 of Order 280, the Chinese label with enough content according to Article 97 of the Food Safety Law and information matching the certificate will help the seafood batch clear customs more smoothly.
Reference source
General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Order No. 280 "Regulations on Management of Registration of Foreign Manufacturing Enterprises of Imported Food", announced October 14, 2025, effective June 1, 2026 (State Council Official Gazette): 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. Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, Article 67 and Article 97: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2015-04/25/content_2853643.htm.
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