Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Wild Aquatic Products from Djibouti

In accordance with the inspection and quarantine requirements for wild aquatic products exported to China, as stipulated by the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti, effective immediately, the importation of wild aquatic products from Djibouti that meet the following relevant requirements is permitted:

I. Basis for Inspection and Quarantine

(1) 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; and the *Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection* and its Implementing Regulations.

(2) The *Administrative Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Safety of Import and Export Food* and the *Administrative Provisions of the People's Republic of China on Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food*.

(3) The *Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of the Republic of Djibouti on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements for Wild Aquatic Products Exported from Djibouti to China*.

II. Scope of Import Products

"Wild aquatic products" refers 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 scope excludes 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 obtain approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti and be subject to its effective supervision. The food safety, hygiene management, and protection systems of these production enterprises must comply with the requirements of relevant Chinese laws and regulations regarding food safety.

Enterprises producing wild aquatic products for export to China must be recommended for registration with the General Administration of Customs of China by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti. Exports to China are prohibited without such registration.

IV. Requirements for Import Products

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti shall ensure that wild aquatic products exported to China meet the following conditions:

(I) They have been legally harvested within domestic or international waters.

(II) Neither the raw materials nor the products shall be subject to any of the following circumstances:

1. Wild aquatic products from Djibouti that have been or are intended to be exported to China are found to be in violation of relevant Chinese laws and regulations on food safety, as well as the provisions of the *Protocol*, thereby posing a serious risk to the safety of wild aquatic products exported to China.

2. Outbreaks of aquatic animal diseases—specifically those listed in the *List of Animal Diseases Subject to Entry Quarantine in the People's Republic of China* (hereinafter referred to as the "List") or those designated as notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—occur within Djibouti and are relevant to the products covered by the *Protocol*, thereby posing a serious risk to the safety of wild aquatic products exported to China.

3. Major food safety incidents occur within Djibouti; or major public health incidents occur within the production enterprises; or the fishing waters are affected by contaminants—any of which poses a serious risk to the safety of wild aquatic products exported to China.

(III) No drugs or additives prohibited in China shall be used, either directly or indirectly; drugs or additives restricted or permitted for use in China shall be utilized in strict compliance with applicable regulations.

(IV) Upon inspection and quarantine by the competent authorities, the products shall be found free of pathogenic microorganisms, toxic or harmful substances, and foreign bodies as specified in Chinese laws and regulations; furthermore, they shall be found free of aquatic animal diseases listed in the *List* or designated as notifiable by the WOAH.

(V) The entire production process—including fishing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, transshipment, and export—must comply with China's relevant requirements regarding safety, hygiene, and traceability.

(VI) The packaging and labeling of the products must comply with China's National Food Safety Standards and relevant regulations governing the safety management of imported food.

V. Certificate Requirements

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti shall conduct inspection and quarantine of wild aquatic products intended for export to China in accordance with the requirements of China Customs. Furthermore, for each batch of wild aquatic products exported to China, the Ministry shall issue a Health Certificate—the format of which has been mutually agreed upon by both parties—attesting that said batch complies with the relevant provisions of China's laws and regulations regarding food safety. The certificate shall be printed in both Chinese and English (English being the mandatory language for completion).

Health certificates shall be fully completed with the information of the production enterprises exporting wild aquatic products to China. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti shall promptly provide samples of the certificates and official seals to China Customs for filing. In the event of any changes, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock, and Marine Resources of Djibouti shall notify China Customs for filing at least one month prior to the effective date.

VI. Other Requirements

China Customs shall conduct inspection and quarantine on wild aquatic products exported to China in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, national standards, and this Protocol.

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

GACC