The "ID card" for poultry egg exports: Registration is the first step

As a seasoned foreign trade professional, I often liken export registration to the "ID card" of poultry and egg products. According to the requirements of General Administration of Customs Order No. 249, poultry and egg export enterprises need to complete two key registrations:

• Farm filing: Live poultry farms must register with their local customs officeExport foodRaw material farm registration
• Production enterprise records: Processing enterprises must register with their local customs office for export food production enterprise registration

I remember a client in 2019 who, in a rush to ship, overlooked the registration process and ended up having their goods held up at customs, resulting in the loss of an entire container order. The registration list is published on the General Administration of Customs website, so its advisable to check and confirm before exporting.

"Visa" Across Borders: Things to Know About Overseas Registration

Different countries registration requirements for imported poultry and egg products are as varied as their visa policies. Based on my experience, special attention should be paid to:

• Developed markets like the EU and Japan typically require enterprises to obtain registration qualifications first
• The registration application shall be submitted through the "China Export Food Production Enterprise Record Management System."
• Customs will conduct a comprehensive review based on factors such as enterprise credit and regulatory records

Last year, when helping an enterprise apply for registration in South Korea, we discovered flaws in their hygiene control system. It took three months of rectification before they passed the review. I recommend enterprises prepare for registration matters at least six months in advance.

"Pre-Clearance Checkup": A Comprehensive Guide to Customs Inspection

Customs inspection is like a comprehensive health check for export products, mainly consisting of three steps:

1. Export declaration

Submit electronic applications through Chinas International Trade Single Window, ensuring all documents required by Announcement No. 90 of 2018 are complete. Ive seen too many cases of delays due to incomplete documentation.

2. On-site inspection

Customs will decide whether to inspect based on risk control. Last year, a client exporting salted duck eggs to Singapore nearly had their entire batch returned because the packaging labels didnt meet the importing countrys requirements.

3. Standard application

There is a "three priorities" principle here: importing country standards > contract requirements > Chinese national standards. It is recommended to confirm the specific requirements of the target market before exporting.

"After-sales service" for exports: Follow-up handling must not be overlooked.

Many enterprises think everything is settled once the goods clear customs, but follow-up tracking is equally important:

• Immediately initiate verification if notified by foreign authorities
• Take remedial measures at once for safety issues
• Customs may adjust sampling ratios or revoke registration recommendations

In 2020, a batch of eggs was notified by Canada due to salmonella issues. The production enterprise promptly recalled the products and improved their processes, ultimately retaining their market access qualification.

"Golden Nuggets" for Export Enterprises

Based on 20 years of experience, Ive summarized several practical suggestions:

• Confirm access requirements in advance: Check through channels like the General Administration of Customs website and the 12360 hotline
• Establish a comprehensive traceability system: Full traceability from farming to processing
• Monitor disease outbreaks: Highly pathogenic avian influenza and other diseases can affect exports
• Developing a professional team: Technical personnel familiar with domestic and foreign regulations are crucial

Egg exports may seem simple, but each step is full of intricacies. We hope this guide will help more companies successfully enter the international market, allowing Chinese eggs to "break out of their shells" and go global!