Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for the Farmed Aquatic Products Exported from Azerbaijan

In accordance with the regulations established by the General Administration of Customs of China and the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding inspection and quarantine requirements for farmed aquatic products exported from Azerbaijan to China, the import of farmed aquatic products from Azerbaijan that meet the following requirements is permitted effective immediately:

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(I) *Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China* and its implementing regulations; *Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine* and its implementing regulations; *Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection* and its implementing regulations.

(II) *Administrative Measures of the People's Republic of China on the Safety of Import and Export Food*; *Administrative Provisions of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food*.

(III) *Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Farmed Aquatic Products Exported to China* (hereinafter referred to as the "Protocol").

II. Scope of Imported Products

Farmed aquatic products refer to artificially farmed aquatic animal products and their derivatives intended for human consumption, as well as marine plant products (such as algae) and their derivatives; this excludes amphibians, reptiles, aquatic mammals, live aquatic animals, and reproductive materials of aquatic animals and plants.

III. Requirements for Production Enterprises

Enterprises producing farmed aquatic products for export to China (including production, processing, and storage enterprises) must be officially approved by Azerbaijan and subject to its effective supervision. The food safety, hygiene management, and protection systems of these enterprises must comply with the requirements of relevant Chinese food safety laws and regulations.

In accordance with the *Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China* and its implementing regulations, as well as the *Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine* and its implementing regulations, enterprises producing farmed aquatic products for export to China must be recommended for registration to the General Administration of Customs of China by the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Export to China is prohibited without such registration.

IV. Requirements for Imported Products

The Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall ensure that farmed aquatic products exported to China meet the following conditions:

(I) Farmed in domestic waters or sourced from countries (or regions) from which China permits imports.

(II) Neither the raw materials nor the products are subject to the following circumstances:

1. Farmed aquatic products from Azerbaijan (already exported or intended for export to China) violate relevant Chinese laws, regulations, national standards, or the provisions of the *Protocol*, thereby seriously compromising the safety of such products exported to China.

2. An outbreak occurs within Azerbaijan of aquatic animal diseases listed in the *List of Diseases Subject to Entry Animal Quarantine of the People's Republic of China* (hereinafter referred to as the "*List*") or those requiring notification under World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards—specifically those relevant to the products covered by the *Protocol*—which seriously compromises the safety of farmed aquatic products exported to China.

3. A major food safety incident occurs within Azerbaijan, a major public health incident occurs at a production enterprise, or aquaculture areas are affected by contaminants, thereby seriously compromising the safety of farmed aquatic products exported to China.

(III) No drugs or additives prohibited in China have been used (directly or indirectly); drugs or additives restricted or permitted in China have been used in accordance with regulations.

(IV) Inspection and quarantine by competent authorities have revealed no pathogenic microorganisms, toxic or harmful substances, or foreign matter listed in Chinese laws and regulations, nor any aquatic animal diseases listed in the *List* or requiring notification under WOAH standards.

(V) Production processes (including aquaculture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, transshipment, and export) comply with relevant Chinese safety, hygiene, and traceability requirements.

(VI) Product packaging and labeling comply with Chinese national food safety standards and relevant regulations on the safety management of imported food.

V. Certification Requirements

The Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan shall conduct inspection and quarantine of farmed aquatic products intended for export to China in accordance with the requirements of the General Administration of Customs of China. It shall issue a sanitary certificate—in a format confirmed by both parties—for each consignment, certifying that the products comply with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and national standards regarding food safety. Certificates shall be printed in at least Chinese, Azerbaijani, and English; English is mandatory for filling out the certificate.

The health certificate shall be fully completed with information regarding the production enterprises of farmed aquatic products exported to China. The Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan shall promptly provide specimen certificates and official seals to China Customs for record-filing purposes. In the event of any changes, the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan shall notify China Customs at least one month prior to the changes taking effect.

VI. Other Requirements

China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine of farmed aquatic products exported to China in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations on food safety, national standards, and the provisions of the *Protocol*.

Non-compliant products shall be subject to destruction, return, or other handling measures. For production enterprises involved in serious incidents or repeated non-compliance, China Customs may implement measures such as intensified inspection and quarantine or the suspension of imports.

GACC