Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for the Wild 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 wild aquatic products from Azerbaijan exported to China, the import of wild 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 Wild Aquatic Products Exported to China* (hereinafter referred to as the "Protocol").

II. Scope of Imported Products

Wild aquatic products refer to wild 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 wild aquatic products for export to China (including production, processing, and storage enterprises) must be officially approved and effectively supervised by the competent authorities of Azerbaijan. The food safety, hygiene management, and protection systems of these enterprises must comply with the requirements of relevant Chinese laws and regulations on food safety.

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 wild 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 Azerbaijan. Export to China is prohibited without such registration.

IV. Requirements for Imported Products

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

(I) Legally harvested in domestic or international waters.

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

1. Wild 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 wild aquatic products exported to China.

2. An outbreak occurs within Azerbaijan of aquatic animal diseases listed in the *List of Animal Diseases Subject to Entry Quarantine of the People's Republic of China* (hereinafter referred to as the "*List*") or those requiring notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) that are relevant to the products covered by the *Protocol*, thereby seriously compromising the safety of wild 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 fishing waters are affected by pollutants, thereby seriously compromising the safety of wild aquatic products exported to China.

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

(IV) Inspection and quarantine by the competent authority reveal 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 to the WOAH.

(V) The production process (including fishing, production, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, transshipment, and export) complies with relevant Chinese safety, hygiene, and traceability requirements.

(VI) Product packaging and labeling comply with China's 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 wild 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—confirmed by both parties—for each consignment of wild aquatic products exported to China, certifying that the consignment complies with relevant Chinese laws, regulations, and national standards regarding food safety. The certificate shall be printed in at least Chinese, Azerbaijani, and English; English is mandatory when completing the certificate.

The health certificate shall be fully completed with information regarding the production enterprises of wild 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 wild 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 issues, China Customs may implement measures such as intensified inspection and quarantine or the suspension of imports.

GACC