Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Bezoar from Uruguay
According to the regulations between the Chinese Customs and the Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries regarding the quarantine and sanitary requirements for Uruguayan bezoar exported to China, effective immediately, the import of Uruguayan bezoar meeting the following requirements is permitted:
I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis
(1) The Biosafety Law of the People's Republic of China;
(2) The Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations;
(3) The Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Quarantine of Imported and Exported Traditional Chinese Medicine Materials;
(4) The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay on Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for Uruguayan Bezoar Exported to China.
II. Scope of Permitted Imported Products
Bezoar refers to dried gallstones from the gallbladder or bile duct of farmed cattle in Uruguay.
III. Requirements for Animals of Origin
(1) Animals must be born, raised, and slaughtered on farms and slaughterhouses under the official supervision of Uruguay, possess a unique identification mark, and be traceable through the official traceability system back to their birth and growth farms;
(2) The source location must not have experienced brucellosis, anthrax, or tuberculosis within the 12 months prior to slaughter;
(3) The source location must not have been subject to quarantine restrictions or monitoring due to the occurrence of bovine diseases requiring declaration (in accordance with the regulations of China and Uruguay and the World Organisation for Animal Health) within the 6 months prior to slaughter;
(4) Animals must not have been vaccinated with live anthrax vaccine at least 14 days prior to slaughter;
(5) Animals must never have used veterinary drugs or feed additives prohibited in China and Uruguay, and must never have been fed ruminant-derived meat and bone meal or oil residue;
(6) Animals must not exhibit any clinical symptoms of infectious diseases, and their carcasses and organs must show no pathological changes. Pre- and post-slaughter inspections must be satisfactory.
IV. Requirements for Production and Processing Enterprises
(1) Operate under the official supervision of Uruguay, comply with the relevant veterinary public health regulations of both China and Uruguay, and be assessed and registered by Chinese Customs;
(2) The production and processing process complies with Good Manufacturing Practices and corresponding quality management system standards and requirements, and an effective product traceability and recall system is established, with detailed records kept for each batch of products;
(3) Possess facilities for low-temperature drying of bezoar, equipped with temperature control equipment;
(4) Possess light-proof, dry, and hygienic storage facilities for finished bezoar products.
V. Production and Processing Requirements
(1) Bezoar collection shall be conducted in a certified slaughterhouse, with appropriate protective measures taken to avoid cross-contamination. Cleaning of the bezoar shall be completed in a separate area within the same facility.
(2) Gallbladders shall be collected using safe and hygienic methods. Tools, containers, water, etc., used during the process shall be clean and hygienic to avoid cross-contamination.
(3) Effective measures shall be taken during slaughter and collection to prevent contamination of the gallbladder and collected bezoar by the brain, skull, eyes, spinal cord, tonsils, and terminal ileum.
(4) After collection, use clean gauze or absorbent paper to remove adhering bile, blood, and other impurities. Do not rinse directly with water or use chemical methods to remove impurities.
(5) The processing should effectively remove moisture from the bezoar and avoid high-temperature damage.
(6) Maintain a clean environment during the drying process and disinfect the drying equipment regularly.
(7) Included in Uruguay's National Residue Monitoring Program, the residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, pollutants, and other harmful substances must not exceed the maximum limits set by both China and Uruguay.
VI. Packaging, Labeling, and Storage & Transportation Requirements
(1) Use clean, hygienic, brand-new materials for packaging. Bezoar from the same production date should have independent packaging and labeling.
(2) The outer packaging should be labeled in Chinese, English, and Spanish with the product name, quantity, weight, batch number, storage conditions, production date, name, address, and registration number of the officially registered slaughterhouse and production company.
(3) Storage and transportation should comply with veterinary hygiene requirements to avoid contamination by toxic or harmful substances. The packaging must remain sealed during transportation.
VII. Pre-Export Inspection and Certificate Requirements
The Uruguayan Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for inspecting and quarantining bezoar exported to China and issuing health certificates to prove that the product meets the requirements of the Protocol.
VIII. Import Inspection and Quarantine Requirements
(1) Document Verification.
1. Verify whether an "Import Quarantine Permit for Animals and Plants" has been obtained;
2. Verify whether it comes from a registered enterprise;
3. Verify the authenticity and validity of the health certificate.
(2) Cargo Inspection.
Chinese Customs will conduct quarantine on bezoar imported from Uruguay in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, and the requirements of this announcement. Goods that pass quarantine will be permitted entry.
(3) Handling of Non-compliance.
If non-compliance is found during entry quarantine, Chinese Customs will handle the matter in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, and the Protocol.
GACC
March 12, 2026
