Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Export of Hazelnut and Almond from Azerbaijan to China
According to the regulations of the Chinese Customs and the Azerbaijani Food Safety Authority concerning the inspection, quarantine, and sanitary requirements for the export of hazelnuts and almonds to China, effective immediately, the import of Azerbaijani hazelnuts and almonds meeting the following requirements is permitted.
I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis
(1) The Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and its implementing regulations;
(2) The Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations;
(3) The Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection and its implementing regulations;
(4) The Measures of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Food Safety of Imported and Exported Goods;
(5) The Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Food Safety Authority of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements for the Export of Azerbaijani Hazelnuts and Almonds to China.
II. Permitted Imported Products
The permitted imported hazelnuts and almonds refer to nuts that are edible and made from the mature fruits of European hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) and almonds (Prunus dulcis) grown in Azerbaijan, processed within Azerbaijan through selection, drying, shelling, and other processes, and are uncooked.
III. Food Safety Requirements
Hazelnuts and almonds exported from Azerbaijan to China must comply with Chinese food safety and phytosanitary laws and regulations, national food safety standards, and the provisions of the Protocol.
IV. Phytosanitary Requirements
(1) Hazelnuts exported to China must not carry the following quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs: *Hyphantria cunea* (American white moth) and *Curculio nucum* (hazel fruit weevil).
(2) Almonds exported to China must not carry the following quarantine pests of concern to Chinese Customs: *Hyphantria cunea* (American white moth) and *Monilinia fructicola* (Australian-type brown rot fungus).
(3) Hazelnuts and almonds exported to China must not carry live insects, insect eggs, soil, or be mixed with weed seeds, plant debris, metallic foreign objects, or impurities such as sand and gravel.
V. Enterprise Requirements
The Azerbaijan Food Safety Authority shall inspect Azerbaijani hazelnut and almond production, processing, and storage units exporting to China in accordance with the relevant requirements of Chinese Customs for the registration of overseas production enterprises for imported food, and recommend enterprises that meet the requirements of Chinese Customs to Chinese Customs. Chinese Customs will register qualified enterprises. Only after obtaining registration in China can an enterprise's products be exported to China. The list of registered Azerbaijani hazelnut and almond enterprises exporting to China can be found on the official website of Chinese Customs.
VI. Raw Material Requirements
The raw materials for hazelnuts and almonds exported to China must come from hazelnut and almond tree planting enterprises that have been confirmed by the Azerbaijan Food Safety Authority to meet relevant phytosanitary and food safety requirements.
VII. Processing Requirements
The Azerbaijan Food Safety Authority shall guide and supervise the planting, production, processing, storage, transportation, and export of hazelnuts and almonds exported to China to ensure compliance with relevant food safety and phytosanitary requirements of both China and Azerbaijan, and to prevent contamination by pathogenic microorganisms or toxic and harmful substances.
VIII. Packaging and Labelling Requirements
Hazelnuts and almonds exported to China shall be packaged in clean, hygienic, breathable, new materials that meet food safety and phytosanitary requirements, and spillage shall be prevented during transportation. Each package shall be labeled with "本产品输往中华人民共和国/This product is exported to the People's Republic of China" in Chinese or English, along with traceable information such as the product name, shelf life, place of origin, production and processing enterprise and its registration number in China, and the exporter's name and address. This information may be affixed to the packaging as a label.
IX. Transportation Requirements
Before shipment, the Azerbaijan Food Safety Authority shall inspect the means of transport for hazelnuts and almonds exported to China. The means of transport shall meet sanitary requirements and shall not carry quarantine pests or other restricted quarantine materials, such as weed seeds, live insects, plant debris, soil, and other impurities.
X. Certificate Requirements
Before export, the Azerbaijan Food Safety Authority shall issue a phytosanitary certificate for hazelnuts and almonds exported to China that have passed inspection and quarantine and meet the requirements of the Protocol. The supplementary declaration section of the phytosanitary certificate for hazelnuts exported to China should specify the name of the hazelnut production and processing enterprise, its registration number in China, and the number "The consignment certified by this phytosanitary certificate complies with the provisions of the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for Hazelnut and Almond Exported from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People's Republic of China signed by both sides on October 14th, 2025. The consignment is free from Hyphantria cunea, Curculio nucum and other quarantine pests of concern to the People's Republic of China.".
The supplementary declaration section of the phytosanitary certificate for almonds exported to China should specify the name of the almond production and processing enterprise, its registration number in China, and the number "The consignment certified by this phytosanitary certificate complies with the provisions of the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for Hazelnut and Almond Exported from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the People's Republic of China signed by both sides on October 14th, 2025. The consignment is free from Hyphantria cunea, Monilinia fructicola and other quarantine pests of concern to the People's Republic of China.".
XI. Entry Inspection and Quarantine and Handling of Non-compliance
(1) Entry Inspection and Quarantine. After hazelnuts and almonds arrive at the port of entry in China, Chinese Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine supervision. Those that pass the inspection will be allowed entry.
(2) Handling of Non-compliance. If Chinese Customs discovers any violations of relevant Chinese laws and regulations on food safety and phytosanitary measures, national food safety standards, or the provisions of the Protocol in hazelnuts and almonds exported to China, Chinese Customs will handle the matter in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.
GACC
October 28, 2025
