Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Raw and Edible Bird's Nest from Malaysia

In accordance with the regulations established by China Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia regarding the inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests, effective immediately, the importation of Malaysian raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests that meet the relevant requirements is permitted.

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(1) Laws and Regulations.

The *Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China* and its Implementing Regulations; the *Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine* and its Implementing Regulations; the *Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection* and its Implementing Regulations; the *Special Provisions of the State Council on Strengthening the Supervision and Administration of Food and Other Product Safety*; as well as the *Administrative Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Safety of Import and Export Food*, the *Administrative Provisions of the People's Republic of China on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food*, and other relevant regulations.

(2) Bilateral Protocol.

The *Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements for the Export of Raw Bird's Nests and Edible Bird's Nests from Malaysia to China*.

II. Products Permitted for Import

"Raw Bird's Nest" permitted for import refers to: a product formed from the saliva of swiftlets and similar species, which has undergone preliminary processing to effectively remove feces, soil, and general impurities; is free from mold; contains no added substances; and serves as the raw material for the production of edible bird's nest products.

"Edible Bird's Nest" permitted for import refers to: bird's nest formed from the saliva of swiftlets and similar species, from which dirt and feathers have been effectively removed, rendering it suitable for human consumption.

III. Requirements for Production Enterprises

The production and processing of raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests destined for China must comply with the relevant laws and regulations of both China and Malaysia regarding inspection, quarantine, food safety, and hygiene. Raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests destined for China must undergo an effective heat treatment designed to inactivate avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease viruses, specifically involving heating to a core temperature of no less than 70°C for a minimum of 3.6 seconds.

Primary processing enterprises for raw edible bird's nests intended for export to China, as well as processing enterprises for processed edible bird's nests, must register with China Customs in accordance with the *Administrative Measures of the People's Republic of China for Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food*. Only products manufactured on or after the date of registration may be exported to China; manufacturing enterprises that have not obtained registration are prohibited from exporting to China. Primary processing enterprises for raw edible bird's nests and processing enterprises for processed edible bird's nests intended for export to China shall possess production and operational equipment or facilities commensurate with the variety and quantity of the products they manufacture and handle; maintain a rational layout of equipment and process flows to prevent cross-contamination; and establish management systems—along with corresponding facilities and equipment—that ensure effective disease prevention as well as product safety and hygiene.

IV. Inspection and Quarantine Requirements

(1) The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia shall establish management systems for disease prevention and hygiene within birdhouses (or bird caves); operational procedures for hygiene control during the harvesting and transportation of edible bird's nests; and annual monitoring plans for animal diseases and for toxic and harmful substances relevant to the quarantine, hygiene, and food safety of raw and processed edible bird's nests intended for export. Specifically, the annual disease monitoring plan shall include a program for monitoring Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in swiftlets within a reasonable number of birdhouses (or bird caves) that have been duly reported to China Customs.

(2) The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia shall ensure that primary processing enterprises for raw edible bird's nests and processing enterprises for processed edible bird's nests intended for export to China establish a traceability system for edible bird's nests, covering the entire chain from the birdhouse (or bird cave) to the point of export. This system must enable traceability and, in the event that issues arise, facilitate the recall of relevant products and the tracing back to the specific registered birdhouse (or bird cave).

(3) The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia shall ensure that the production and processing of raw and processed edible bird's nests intended for export to China are conducted under the operation of an effective food safety control system. Furthermore, these products must undergo effective heat treatment, remain free from contamination by any pathogens that could pose a risk to avian or human health, and comply with the relevant laws and regulations of both Malaysia and China. Effective sanitary treatment measures shall be implemented, and all outer packaging and transport containers shall undergo disinfection treatment.

V. Product Certificate Requirements

Each batch of raw or processed edible bird's nests exported to China shall be accompanied by an original Veterinary Health Certificate (processed edible bird's nests shall also be accompanied by a Health Certificate issued by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia). Veterinary Health Certificates and Sanitary Certificates shall be written in both Chinese and English; their format and content must be mutually agreed upon by both parties in advance.

(I) The Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia shall specify:

1. The registration number of the swiftlet house (or cave), the registration number of the primary processing establishment (or processing establishment), and the source of the raw materials for the product.

2. That the region where the swiftlet house (or cave) is located has conducted surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in accordance with the relevant rules of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and that no abnormalities were detected.

3. That necessary preventive measures have been taken to prevent the product from coming into contact with any sources of Avian Influenza or Newcastle Disease viruses.

4. That the product has undergone effective heat treatment, with a processing protocol requiring a minimum standard of "heating to a core temperature of no less than 70°C for at least 3.6 seconds."

5. That the product complies with the laws, regulations, and relevant standards and requirements of China.

6. That the product is suitable for use in food processing or for human consumption.

(II) The Sanitary Certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia shall specify:

1. The registration number of the processing establishment.

2. That the edible bird's nests were harvested, processed, stored, and transported under sanitary conditions, under the supervision of the competent official authorities of Malaysia.

3. That the product complies with the laws, regulations, and relevant standards and requirements of China.

4. That the product is suitable for human consumption.

VI. Product Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests intended for export to China must be packaged using brand-new materials that comply with China's domestic sanitary standards; both the inner and outer packaging must be hermetically sealed.

The outer packaging of raw bird's nests intended for export to China must clearly indicate—in both Chinese and English—the product name, weight, registration number of the swiftlet house (or cave), name and address of the primary processing establishment (along with its registration number), product storage conditions, production date, and shelf life; it must also designate the destination as the People's Republic of China and bear the marking "仅用于加工场所进行深加工，不得用于零售市场".

The inner and outer packaging of edible bird's nests exported to China must be labeled in both Chinese and English, indicating the product name, weight, registration number of the birdhouse (or bird cave), name and address of the processing enterprise along with its registration number, product storage conditions, production date, shelf life, and other relevant information. The labeling of such product information must comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and relevant standards and requirements.

VII. Other Requirements

China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine on raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests exported to China.

Non-compliant products shall be disposed of in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. For production enterprises that encounter serious issues or repeatedly produce non-compliant products, China Customs may implement measures such as intensified inspection and quarantine or the suspension of imports.

GACC