China Simplifies Registration for Imported Roasted Coffee
Beijing – August 21, 2025 (Qahwa World) – A report released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) titled China: Trade Alert – GACC Amends CIFER Self-Registration Process on August 20, 2025, revealed that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has introduced new adjustments to the self-registration system for overseas food production enterprises. Among the product categories affected is roasted coffee, a key commodity for exporters targeting the rapidly growing Chinese market.
According to the USDA report, the changes took effect on August 14, 2025, when the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety under GACC announced functional adjustments to the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system. The new requirements apply to manufacturers of products such as vegetables and their processed forms, grain-based products, tea, nuts and seeds, alcoholic beverages, beverages and frozen drinks, biscuits, pastries, bread, sugars including raw and edible sugar, lactose and syrups, candies, chocolates including cocoa butter substitutes, seasonings, roasted coffee beans, cocoa beans and their products, fruit-based products, and other miscellaneous food items.
The main adjustment is the removal of the requirement for self-registered enterprises to identify Harmonized System (HS) codes and China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) codes for the products they intend to export. Previously, exporters of roasted coffee beans and similar products risked rejection of applications if the codes were incorrectly entered. Under the new system, HS and CIQ codes are no longer required for self-registration of roasted coffee beans, cocoa beans, and a wide range of processed foods. However, some categories such as vegetables, vegetable products, grain products, and tea still require HS and CIQ code selection.
At the same time, the revised CIFER system introduces a mandatory page of enterprise commitments, which overseas manufacturers must complete before proceeding with registration. These commitments require applicants to confirm they are genuine manufacturers or operators of processing or cold storage facilities, explicitly excluding trading companies from applying. Applicants must be approved by, and under the effective supervision of, the food safety authority in the country of origin, and must upload valid production licenses issued by that authority. They are also required to maintain effective food safety and hygiene systems, ensure products comply with Chinese food safety laws and standards, and guarantee that the information submitted matches supporting documents in both content and authenticity.
The USDA report highlights that false declarations or inconsistencies can result in serious consequences, including revocation of Chinese registration, rejection or destruction of products, and potential investigation by the competent food safety authority in the exporting country. Enterprises must also pledge cooperation with GACC during food safety reviews, including providing additional verification materials or facilitating cross-checks with their national food safety authorities. Furthermore, registered enterprises are required to proactively assume responsibility for food safety, suspending exports to China and taking corrective measures if risks or non-compliance are detected.
The adjustments also cover additional reporting content such as production type and actual production or processing capacity, which must be provided within the CIFER system. Enterprises that have already been registered can view their specific approved products through the “Comprehensive Query – Registered in China” section of the system.
The USDA clarified that these changes do not apply to U.S. exporters of meat, poultry, dairy, infant formula, and seafood products, which remain subject to procedures established by FSIS and FDA. The new self-registration requirements are also not relevant for exporters whose products fall under the review of the GACC Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine (DAPQ) or other Chinese regulatory agencies.
By removing the need to provide HS and CIQ codes, the registration process for roasted coffee beans and other products is expected to become faster and less prone to administrative errors. However, the introduction of strict enterprise commitments underscores China’s emphasis on food safety, regulatory compliance, and accountability from overseas manufacturers. For coffee exporters, this combination of simplified technical requirements and strengthened legal obligations could reshape access to one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing coffee markets.
