
Sweet Troubles: Special Challenges in Lychee Exports
As a "rare delicacy among fruits" unique to southern China, lychees have conquered the taste buds of countless overseas consumers with their distinctive sweetness. However, the journey of this "delicate beauty" to foreign markets is fraught with challenges:
- Short shelf lifeThe characteristic of "changing color within a single day," as described by Bai Juyi, imposes stringent demands on cold chain logistics.
- Pest risks: May carry over 20 quarantine pests of concern to importing countries, such as Bactrocera dorsalis
- Complex standards: Significant differences in pesticide residue limits and treatment requirements across importing countries
Overseas Passport: Comprehensive Analysis of Country-Specific Access Requirements
Just as every traveler needs a visa, lychees also require a "fruit visa" to enter different countries. Our experience shows that:
- US Market: Must undergo continuous 17-day cold treatment below 1.1°C
- 2. Australia: Requires vapor heat treatment (46.5°C for 20 minutes)
- EU countries: Has strict limits on 58 pesticides including cypermethrin
It is recommended to monitor the latest regulations of the target market in real time through the "Quarantine Requirements and Alert Information" section on the official website of the General Administration of Customs.
Orchard "Health Check": All About Registration and Record-Keeping
We assisted a Guangdong orchard complete FDA registration, a process like a comprehensive orchard health check:
- Online applicationSubmit materials through the "Internet + Customs" platform, with an average review cycle of 15 working days.
- On-site assessmentCustoms will focus on inspecting the pest control system and pesticide usage records
- Continuous managementAfter filing, regular customs supervision is required every 2 years
The Art of Packaging: From Preservation to Compliance
At the Dubai Food Exhibition, we witnessed painful cases of entire container returns due to non-compliant packaging. Recommendations:
- Use new EPE pearl cotton padding, which is both shockproof and complies with food contact material standards
- Packaging boxes must be marked with the orchard registration number (e.g. CN-4405-01) and packing house code
- Exports to Japan require special attention to JAS organic certification mark usage standards
Customs clearance in progress:Inspection of vaccinesFull-process
Last year, when we exported Hainan lychees to Canada as agents, we went through this "three-step customs clearance process."
- Prepare for declarationSubmit the phytosanitary certificate application form and orchard supply certificate 3 days in advance
- : Checking seed labels, approval forms, variety rights certificates, etc.Customs will randomly select 30 fruits for dissection inspection
- : Sampling tests for seed quality and pest conditionsFocus on monitoring high-risk pesticide residues such as cyhalothrin
Special reminder: For lychees exported to the U.S., cold treatment data loggers must be sent to customs for calibration 7 days in advance.
Freshness Black Tech: Extending the "Best Before" Period of Lychees
Through cooperation with South China Agricultural University, we have summarized these practical preservation techniques:
- Spraying 1% calcium chloride solution 3 days before harvesting can significantly enhance fruit skin toughness
- Using 3% sulfur dioxide slow-release preservation paper can extend shelf life to 35 days
- For EU exports, modified atmosphere packaging is recommended (O?5%-8%, CO?3%-5%)
Common Pitfalls: Mistakes to Avoid
With 20 years of experience in the industry, we have witnessed too many "painful lessons":
- One company had 20 tons of lychees destroyed in the Netherlands due to using an unregistered packing house
- Incorrect use of bifenthrin-containing pesticides resulted in an entire shipment being detained in Japan
- Missing 3 hours of cold treatment data led to rejection by U.S. FDA
Remember, lychee export is like escorting a picky princess to her distant marriage, requiring meticulous preparation. But by mastering these customs clearance secrets, your lychees will surely fragrance the world!