HCMC – China will tighten import regulations on agricultural and processed food products starting mid-2026 under a new customs order aimed at strengthening registration and quality control for foreign exporters.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) issued the revised “Administrative Provisions on the Customs Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food in the People’s Republic of China” (Decree No. 280), which shall take effect on June 1, 2026.
The new rule, replacing Decree No. 248, requires exporters to strictly follow registration and product quality procedures. Ngo Xuan Nam, deputy director of the Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (Vietnam SPS), said the order mandates tighter control across all production and quality management stages.
China will publish a list of products requiring registration through competent authorities, replacing the current self-registration system. Goods not included in the list will be denied customs clearance, meaning exporters must monitor updates to avoid producing items outside the permitted scope.
Export registration codes will be canceled if companies change their address, legal representative, or business license. In such cases, firms must reapply for registration instead of updating existing information.
The new regulation also introduces flexible registration validity, replacing the current fixed five-year term, with some product categories eligible for automatic renewal.
Decree No. 280 will also impose stricter standards on food safety, quarantine, packaging, and disease prevention.
The rule applies only to agricultural and processed food products. Fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, and primary agricultural goods will continue to be managed under existing bilateral protocols with Vietnam.
Ngo Xuan Nam advised Vietnamese exporters of processed goods to review registration details and licenses to ensure compliance, while fresh fruit exporters must continue adhering to current bilateral requirements.
The new rule presents challenges for exporters that have yet to standardize their operations but also offer an opportunity for Vietnamese agricultural producers to improve quality, build stronger brands, and enhance sustainability in the Chinese market. Businesses are urged to adapt proactively and comply fully with the new requirements.
Vietnam’s agricultural exports reached US$28.5 billion in the first nine months of this year, up nearly 17% year-on-year. China remained the largest market, accounting for over 23% of the total value, according to the ministry.
