With the rapid growth of the pet economy, demand for imported Pet Food has been rising steadily. From overseas production to compliant domestic sales, products must follow the dual regulatory systems of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs. With the implementation of the latest 2026 policies, Customs Clearance procedures have become more standardized and stringent. Any non-compliance in any step may result in cargo detention, return, or destruction.

01 First, Identify: What Category Does Your Imported Pet Food Belong to?

Clear product classification is essential for correct Clearance procedures.According to Announcement No. 20 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Pet Food is divided into three main categories:

· Pet Complementary Feed: Full-price cat food, dog food, and other staple foods that meet all nutritional needs of pets.

· Pet Additive Premix Feed: Vitamins, calcium tablets, hairbeauty powder, and other nutritional supplements.

· Other Pet Feed: Dried meat, chew sticks, dental bones, and other functional treats.

02 Core Prerequisites: Three Mandatory Access Verifications

China implements strict access control for imported Pet Food. All three must be completed before Clearance:

1. Country Eligibility: Confirm the exporting country/region is on the GAC List of Countries/Regions and Products Eligible for Imported Feed. The list is updated dynamically.

2. Manufacturer Registration: The overseas producer must be on the GAC List of Registered Overseas Manufacturing Enterprises for Pet Food.

3. Formula Registration: Staple food and nutritional supplements require an Import Registration Certificate (labeled “Wai Si Zhun Zi No. XXX”) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs — one certificate per product.

03 2026 Updated Clearance Process: Four Steps for Efficient Clearance

After access verification, follow these four key steps under 2026 rules:

Step 1: Prepare Full Documents and Arrange Overseas Shipment

Overseas suppliers must provide 9 essential documents. Note that some countries (e.g., Canada) have special 2026 requirements for sanitary certificates:

· Certificate of Origin

· Official Sanitary Certificate from the exporting country

· Packing List, Invoice, Contract, Bill of Lading

· Production Date Certificate

· Foreign language label and packaging scans

· Wooden packaging must bear IPPC marks.

Step 2: Chinese Label Review (2026 Priority Check)

Noncompliant labels will cause delays. Labels must:

· Strictly follow the Pet Feed Labeling Regulations

· Clearly state “For Export to the People’s Republic of China” + “Not for Human Consumption / For Pet Use Only”

· Be affixed before Customs Clearance (prepackaged) or at designated Customs sites (bulk goods).

Step 3: Submit Full Documents and Declare to Customs

Importers upload all documents (including Chinese label translations and samples) via the Customs declaration system. Ensure consistency between documents and goods to avoid delays.

Step 4: Customs Inspection and Release

Customs conduct comprehensive inspections, with stricter 2026 hygiene checks:

· Consistency: Declaration matches actual cargo

· Label compliance: All required text included

· Packaging: IPPC marks, sealing integrity

· Sampling and testing: Salmonella (zero detection in 25g), Enterobacteriaceae, etc. Clearance is granted only after passing tests.

04 Required Qualifications: Full Checklist for Domestic and Overseas Companies

Overseas Companies

· Valid Import Registration Certificate (“Wai Si Zhun Zi”)

· Registered with GAC; country eligible

· Raw materials not on China’s import ban list

Domestic Companies

· Import and export rights

· Business scope including “import of feed and feed additives”

· Pet Food operation license / food distribution certificate

· Customs feed importer registration (before first inspection)

· Entry Animal and Plant Quarantine License (except pet cans)

Imported Pet Food Clearance involves fastchanging policies, complex procedures, and strict inspections. Selfhandling is timeconsuming and risky.

Food Clearance Department, Qingdao Sincere International Logistics Co., Ltd.Specializes in Pet Food import Clearance with deep knowledge of 2026 policies. We provide onestop service:

· PreClearance access verification (country, manufacturer, formula)

· Full document review and guidance

· Professional compliant Chinese label design

· Endtoend Customs declaration and inspection follow-up

· Tailored solutions for different product types and countries

From qualification checks to document preparation, label review to inspection release, our professional team helps you avoid risks and speed up Customs Clearance — so your imported Pet Food arrives smoothly and goes on sale quickly.