Imagine a massive cargo ship slowly docking at a port, laden with grain. How does this grain safely and compliantly reach our tables? Strict customs oversight is a critical step. To ensure the quality and safety of imported grain, China's customs authorities have strengthened regulatory measures, implementing a designated processing system, epidemic monitoring protocols, and safety risk controls to build a robust defense.
Designated Processing System: Controlling the "Entry Gate"
Under the Regulations on the Inspection and Quarantine Supervision of Imported and Exported Grain , all imported grain must be transported to designated enterprises that meet epidemic prevention and regulatory requirements for storage and processing. Not all companies are eligible to handle imported grain. To become a "designated enterprise," applicants must submit detailed materials—including an application report, grain transportation plan, facility layout, processing workflow, epidemic prevention management system, and a list of personnel responsible for quarantine measures—to their local customs office. Customs rigorously reviews these documents and conducts on-site evaluations to determine the types and capacity of grain the enterprise may handle.
Companies can now apply for designation via China’s "Single Window" international trade platform, streamlining the process. Approved enterprises are added to the publicly available "List of Imported Grain Processing Enterprises," subject to societal oversight.
After on-site inspections, port customs offices verify that transporters, storage facilities, or processing enterprises comply with approved logistics plans, routes, and vehicle standards. Only after clearance via the "Imported Grain Inspection and Quarantine Management System" can companies submit transport permits for approval. Grain may only leave the port after authorization, ensuring full traceability from arrival to processing.
If a designated enterprise cannot continue processing or storing grain due to capacity constraints or quality issues, importers must apply for a transfer permit. This requires joint approval by the original and new destination customs offices, as well as the port of entry. Additionally, port operators and designated enterprises must report real-time data on grain shipments, storage, and processing through the "Grain System" to maintain transparency.
Post-Entry Supervision: Closing Every Loophole
Customs oversight extends beyond clearance. The regulations mandate comprehensive monitoring of unloading, transportation, and processing. Unauthorized relocation or use of imported grain—especially for planting—is prohibited. Grain must be processed at approved facilities with proper disinfection; untreated grain cannot enter circulation.
To prevent contamination, strict measures—such as spill-proof sealing—are enforced during handling. Processing must eliminate weeds, pathogens, and pests. Byproducts like husks require heat treatment, pulverization, or incineration.
Key compliance requirements include:
- Using containment measures (e.g., spill mats) during unloading, followed by thorough cleanup and sterilization of port areas.
- Logging transport, processing, and byproduct disposal data in the customs system for audit. Transport routes and vehicles must meet hygiene and leak-proof standards.
- Maintaining detailed records of grain movements, processing, and safety controls for at least two years.
- Conducting regular pest monitoring and reporting anomalies.
Epidemic Monitoring: Preventing Outbreaks
Customs conducts surveillance for invasive weeds and pests at ports, storage sites, factories, and along transport routes. Detected outbreaks trigger emergency responses, source analyses, and corrective actions. Enterprises must cooperate with these measures under the regulations.
For exports, customs performs pre-shipment inspections at farms and storage facilities to meet destination-country requirements.
Risk Control: Proactive Safeguards
Customs Headquarters implements a safety and hygiene monitoring program for imported grain, with local offices executing standardized checks. The system includes technical guidelines for consistent enforcement.
Through these layered measures—from processing controls to real-time tracking—China’s customs framework ensures that every imported grain shipment meets stringent safety standards, protecting public health.