Import of Chinese Medicinal Materials: The Modern Clearance Path of Traditional Treasures

As a veteran with 20 years of experience in foreign trade, I have witnessed numerous cases where goods were detained due to unfamiliarity with quarantine regulations. I recall in 2018, a batch of deer antlers worth 2 million yuan was held at Tianjin Port for 45 days because the quarantine permit was not obtained, incurring tens of thousands of yuan in storage fees daily. Today, let's discuss in a relaxed manner how these "mobile and lively" special commodities can smoothly clear customs.

I. What are animal - derived Chinese medicinal materials?

The customs has clear definition boundaries for such special goods, mainly divided into two categories:

• Medicinal type: Must be listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia catalog, such as deer antler, seahorse, earthworm, etc.
• Edible type: Must comply with national food - related regulations, such as traditional tonics in some regions.

Last year, a batch of imported crocodile bones from Thailand that we represented experienced 3 supplementary explanations due to classification disputes, and finally completed customs clearance by providing the traditional medical classics of the place of origin.

II. Six - step Clearance Process: From Access to Release

Access List Inquiry: A Compulsory Course before Import

The General Administration of Customs website updates the access list every month, much like a "visa policy" for traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Last year, the newly added Cambodian scorpions sparked a wave of imports. It's recommended to bookmark this practical link:The official website of the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine.

2. Overseas Enterprise Registration: "Business License" with a 4-year validity period

The supplier of pangolin scales in Laos that we cooperate with started preparing renewal materials 3 months before expiration, avoiding supply chain disruptions. Remember: Any changes in registration information must be reported within 30 days!

3. Quarantine Approval: A 20-working-day "Clearance Permit"

When handling the musk license for a client last year, the application was returned 2 times due to incomplete supporting documents from the research institution. Recommendations:

• Apply 40 days in advance
• Prepare a complete component analysis report
• Indicate the final use (medical/scientific research)

4. On-site Inspection: The Customs' "Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Palpation"

Last month's incident of "deer antlers hidden in soil" seized at Guangzhou Port was due to residual soil in the packaging gaps. Key inspection points:

• Packaging integrity (pay special attention to wooden pallet quarantine)
• Temperature control records (for perishable medicinal materials)
• Transportation route (avoid ports in epidemic - affected areas)

5. Laboratory Testing: The "Physical Examination Report" of Medicinal Materials

Common testing items include:

• Heavy metal residues (such as geckos often exceeding the standard)
• Microbiological indicators (especially for medicinal materials from marine sources)
• Species DNA Identification (Preventing Smuggling of Endangered Species)

Result handling: Three fate choices

In the cases handled last year:

• 85% were released normally
• 12% entered the country after fumigation treatment
• 3% were returned or destroyed (mainly quarantine pests)

III. Three Tips for Importers

Tip 1: Establish a "Digital ID" System for Medicinal Materials

The traceability system we designed for a listed pharmaceutical company includes:

• Electronic archiving of certificates of origin
• Transportation temperature and humidity curve charts
• Distribution flow tracking

Tip 2: Cultivate Professional "Customs Clearance Specialists for Medicinal Materials"

A qualified epidemic prevention administrator should:

• Be familiar with HS coding rules (such as the tax rate differences for antlers in different processing states)
• Master the key points of CIQ declaration
• Establish emergency response plans (such as handling abnormal cold chain situations)

Tip 3: Cross - departmental compliance collaboration

The cases of coordinating with the customs and the drug administration last year proved:

• Conduct pre - evaluation of ingredients in advance
• Prepare dual - use description documents
• Keep communication records with regulatory authorities

In an era when the global trade volume of medicinal materials exceeds 60 billion US dollars, mastering the rules can ensure the smooth circulation of traditional treasures. The next time you see deer antler in the medicine cabinet, you might as well think about this wonderful customs - clearance journey behind it.