Regarding the Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Edible Aquatic Animals from Kenya to China

In accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and the "Protocol on Quarantine and Sanitation Requirements for Edible Aquatic Animals Exported from Kenya to China between the Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya", effective immediately, imports of edible aquatic animals from Kenya that meet the following requirements are allowed.

I. Inspection and Quarantine Basis

(1) "Biosafety Law of the People's Republic of China";

(2) "Law of the People's Republic of China on Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine" and its Implementing Regulations;

(3) "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" and its Implementing Regulations;

(4) "Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Inspection and Quarantine of Entry Aquatic Animals";

(5) "Protocol".

II. Scope of Imported Products

The edible aquatic animals referred to in this announcement refer to artificially bred or wild live aquatic animals for human consumption, excluding species listed in the Appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the "List of Wild Animals under National Key Protection in China" and the "List of Alien Invasive Species under Key Management". The relevant species list is published on the website of the Chinese Customs.

III. Quarantine Approval

To import edible aquatic animals from Kenya, quarantine approval procedures must be carried out in advance and the "Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine Permit" must be obtained.

IV. Requirements for production enterprises

Production enterprises (including farms, packaging plants and fishing vessels) that export edible aquatic animals to China must meet the following conditions:

(1) Approved and effectively supervised by the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya, recommended to the Chinese Customs, and obtained the qualification for registration with the Chinese Customs. The list of registered production enterprises will be published on the website. Without registration, they shall not be exported to China.

(2) Edible aquatic animals exported to China must comply with the quarantine and safety and sanitation requirements of China and Kenya for edible aquatic animals.

(3) Production enterprises shall establish effective food hygiene and safety management based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and the traceability system for edible aquatic animals to ensure that the entire process of breeding, fishing, packaging, storage, transportation, transit and export of edible aquatic animals meets the relevant hygiene and traceability requirements of both parties.

(4) Under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya, the public health regulations issued by the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya shall be followed, and employees of the enterprise shall comply with the prevention measures for infectious diseases.

V. Requirements for imported products

(1) Wild edible aquatic animals exported to China shall be legally caught in Kenya or by Kenyan fishing vessels in international waters. Farmed edible aquatic animals exported to China shall be farmed in Kenyan waters.

(2) During the breeding, fishing, temporary storage, packaging and transportation of edible aquatic animals exported to China, drugs prohibited by both parties shall not be used. Drugs restricted or permitted by both parties shall be used in accordance with regulations.

(3) The Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya conducts effective monitoring of animal diseases, toxic and harmful substances and foodborne microorganisms on edible aquatic animals exported to China, and the monitoring results meet the requirements of China Customs food safety and animal health standards.

(4) Edible aquatic animals exported to China shall be confirmed to be healthy by official inspection officers of the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya before export, and no clinical symptoms of animal infectious diseases and parasitic diseases are found, and they are suitable for export.

VI. Packaging and labeling requirements

(1) Edible aquatic animals exported to China from different fishing areas or registered enterprises should be packaged separately, and different types of edible aquatic animals should be packaged independently.

(2) The packaging containers should be brand new or disinfected to meet the survival and welfare needs of the animals.

(3) Packaging materials, water or ice and bedding materials should meet safety and hygiene requirements and should not contain pathogenic microorganisms that endanger the health of animals, plants and humans, toxic and harmful substances, and aquatic organisms that may damage the ecological environment of the water body.

(4) Labels should be affixed to the outer packaging, including: the name and scientific name of the aquatic animal, the fishing area (only applicable to wild-caught aquatic animals), the name of the breeding farm/packaging farm and the exporting enterprise, the registration number and other information, and the destination must be marked as the People's Republic of China.

VII. Certificate requirements

Each batch of edible aquatic animals exported to China must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of Kenya. The health certificate must be an original and two copies, and the original must be included in the shipment. The health certificate must be printed in Chinese and English or in English. Handwritten (except the signature of the inspection officer) or altered certificates are invalid. The health certificate shall include at least the following contents:

(1) The species (scientific name and Latin name), packaging type and quantity and weight of edible aquatic animals.

(2) If the edible aquatic animals are farmed, please indicate the name of the farm and approval number and other information; if the edible aquatic animals are wild caught, please indicate the specific information of the fishing waters, the name of the packaging company and the approval number and other information.

(3) The name and address of the exporter and importer.

(4) The time of departure, port and type and number of the means of transport.

(5) A statement that the edible aquatic animals meet the relevant requirements of the Protocol and are suitable for human consumption.

(6) The time of issuance of the certificate, the signature or seal of the official veterinarian of the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya.

(7) The official seal of the competent department of the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Ocean Affairs of Kenya.

(8) Other requirements

China Customs implements inspection and quarantine on imported edible aquatic animals.

For unqualified products, they will be returned, destroyed or otherwise handled in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations. For manufacturers with serious problems or repeated unqualified problems, Chinese customs may take measures to strengthen inspection and quarantine or suspend imports.

GACC

May 21, 2025