Pork Imports Now Subject to China’s ARF System
Pork Imports Now Subject to China’s ARF System
New requirements could hinder product flow
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has adopted new meat import regulations that may complicate the flow of imported pork products into China.
Effective Jan. 1, 2010, MOFCOM added pork and pork variety meat as items that are subject to its "automatic registration form" (ARF) system. The ARF system for pork and pork variety meat was drafted in late 2009 and announced toward the end of the year. Many traders, however, were unaware of the new regulations until the first week of January. Under this new procedure, importers must register purchases with MOFCOM. In addition, importers still must obtain a quarantine import permit from the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). According to USMEF intelligence, the new system is already being implemented for shipments of pork – mostly from Europe – that have arrived in ports since the beginning of the year.
ARF applications are submitted by registered importers every six months. Although MOFCOM does not publish details of the program, it is believed that import levels are allocated based on the recent historical import performance of the applying company. These allocations are made semi-annually at the provincial level. MOFCOM has stated that while pork and pork variety meat are now subject to ARF, there is currently no maximum or target import level or quota.
U.S. poultry products have been subject to the ARF licensing system for nearly 10 years. While MOFCOM does not publish a list of approved importers, it has been necessary for poultry importers to be members of China's Chamber of Commerce of Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products in order to participate in the ARF system.
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.
Pork Imports Now Subject to China’s ARF System
New requirements could hinder product flow
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has adopted new meat import regulations that may complicate the flow of imported pork products into China.
Effective Jan. 1, 2010, MOFCOM added pork and pork variety meat as items that are subject to its "automatic registration form" (ARF) system. The ARF system for pork and pork variety meat was drafted in late 2009 and announced toward the end of the year. Many traders, however, were unaware of the new regulations until the first week of January. Under this new procedure, importers must register purchases with MOFCOM. In addition, importers still must obtain a quarantine import permit from the General Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). According to USMEF intelligence, the new system is already being implemented for shipments of pork – mostly from Europe – that have arrived in ports since the beginning of the year.
ARF applications are submitted by registered importers every six months. Although MOFCOM does not publish details of the program, it is believed that import levels are allocated based on the recent historical import performance of the applying company. These allocations are made semi-annually at the provincial level. MOFCOM has stated that while pork and pork variety meat are now subject to ARF, there is currently no maximum or target import level or quota.
U.S. poultry products have been subject to the ARF licensing system for nearly 10 years. While MOFCOM does not publish a list of approved importers, it has been necessary for poultry importers to be members of China's Chamber of Commerce of Import/Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products in order to participate in the ARF system.
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.