GACC Registration in India: Complete Guide for China Food Exports (2026)

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CHINA FOOD EXPORT

Overview of GACC Registration

GACC registration is mandatory for any foreign enterprise that wants to export food products to China. The requirement comes from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), which oversees all food imports into the country. China is one of the largest food-import markets in the world, and its customs authorities apply strict checks on safety, hygiene, and labeling before goods are allowed to clear customs.

Why registration matters

Without a valid GACC registration number, shipments can be delayed, refused entry, or detained at Chinese customs - a risk that's entirely avoidable with proper registration before you ship.

Registration is completed through China's official CIFER portal, where applicants submit details about their manufacturing facility, the type of food being exported, and their food safety and hygiene systems. Once approved, a unique GACC registration number is issued, which must then be printed on the packaging of every exported product.

DESTINATION CHINA

FOREIGN ENTERPRISE Food Manufacturer

APPLICATION CIFER Portal

REGISTRATION GACC Number

✓

EXPORT TO China Customs

EXPORT COMPLIANCE FLOW

GACC ELIGIBILITY

Who Needs GACC Registration in India?

Any Indian business that manufactures, processes, or exports certain food categories to China needs to be registered with GACC before its products can legally enter the Chinese market.

INDIA CHINA

Indian
Business

→

China
Market

✓

Registration before export Eligible food businesses must complete the applicable GACC registration requirements before their products enter China.

▣

Food Manufacturers & Processors

Companies producing packaged foods, snacks, beverages, spices, or other processed food items intended for the Chinese market.

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≈

Seafood & Aquatic Product Exporters

Businesses dealing in fish, shrimp, crab, or other aquatic products. These facilities are frequently subject to on-site inspection in addition to document review, given the higher contamination risk profile of seafood.

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◇

Meat & Poultry Exporters

Companies handling meat, poultry, and related processed products, which fall under some of the strictest GACC categories.

↗

○

Dairy Product Manufacturers

Producers of milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy items, where facility-level hygiene documentation is closely scrutinized.

↗

✦

Agricultural & Plant-Based Food Exporters

Exporters of tea, grains, nuts, spices, fruits, and similar plant-based products, where requirements vary depending on the specific product category.

↗

✓

Not every food product requires full GACC registration — some low-risk packaged goods may fall outside the regulated categories.

Confirm Your Product's GACC Status →

Product Categories That Require GACC Registration

Product Category	Examples	Notes
Meat and Meat Products	Frozen meat, processed meat, sausages, canned meat	Requires approval through the exporting country's authority
Aquatic Products	Fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, seafood products	Processing plants must meet Chinese hygiene standards
Dairy Products	Milk powder, cheese, butter, yogurt	Strict quality and safety compliance required
Bird's Nest Products	Raw or processed edible bird's nest	Must meet China inspection requirements
Bee Products	Honey, royal jelly, beeswax	Subject to residue and contamination checks
Eggs and Egg Products	Liquid eggs, dried egg powder, processed egg items	Must follow food safety and traceability rules
Edible Oils and Fats	Vegetable oil, palm oil, olive oil, animal fats	Production facilities must be registered
Stuffed Wheat Products	Dumplings, buns, stuffed pastries	Must meet Chinese food processing standards
Edible Grains	Rice, wheat, barley, corn	Must comply with plant quarantine rules
Grain Milling Products	Flour, starch, semolina	Production facility registration required
Malt	Malt used in brewing or food production	Must comply with processing standards
Fresh and Dehydrated Vegetables	Fresh vegetables, dried vegetables	Phytosanitary certification may be required
Dried Beans	Lentils, chickpeas, peas, pulses	Must meet quarantine inspection rules
Seasonings	Spices, sauces, condiments	Ingredient disclosure required
Nuts and Seeds	Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, sunflower seeds	Subject to quality and contamination checks
Dried Fruits	Raisins, dates, dried mango	Must meet hygiene and processing standards
Coffee and Cocoa Beans	Raw coffee beans, cocoa beans	Inspection may be required for contaminants
Special Dietary Foods	Infant food, medical nutrition foods	Strict safety and labeling compliance

Not sure if your product is covered? Talk to our compliance team →

Documents Required for GACC Registration

The exact list can vary by product category, but most applications require:

Business registration certificate — incorporation or registration document issued by the relevant Indian authority
Manufacturing license — authorization to manufacture or process food products in India
Import Export Code (IEC) — issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade; mandatory for any export from India
Food safety certification — FSSAI license or equivalent quality certification
Product details — product name, ingredients, manufacturing process, and packaging specifications
Label information — packaging and label design showing compliance with Chinese labeling rules
Facility information — address, layout, production capacity, and hygiene practices
Quality control and food safety system documents — testing procedures and quality assurance records
Authorization letter — required if a consultant or third party is filing on the company's behalf

Note

The exact documents may vary depending on the product category and registration method required by the General Administration of Customs of China.

GACC REGISTRATION PROCESS

GACC Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Businesses that want to export certain food products to China must register their manufacturing facilities with the General Administration of Customs of China. The registration process generally involves the following steps:

START HERE

Determine Eligibility

The first step is to identify whether your product category requires GACC registration. Food manufacturers and exporters must check if their products fall under the regulated categories before applying.

Prepare Required Documents

Applicants must gather all necessary documents, including business registration certificates, food safety licenses, product details, and facility information. Accurate documentation helps avoid delays during the review process.

ONLINE PORTAL

Create Account on the CIFER System

The applicant must register on the official China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) online portal and create a company account to start the application process.

Submit the Online Application

The company must complete the online application form and upload all required documents through the CIFER system. The application includes details about the manufacturing facility, products, and food safety management system.

AUTHORITY REVIEW

Application Review by Chinese Authorities

The General Administration of Customs of China reviews the submitted application and may request additional information or clarification if required.

APPROVAL

Approval and GACC Registration Number

Once the application is approved, the manufacturer receives a GACC registration number, which must be displayed on product packaging and used for exporting goods to China.

AFTER REGISTRATION

Ongoing Compliance

After registration, businesses must maintain compliance with Chinese food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and product traceability rules when exporting to China.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Reject GACC Applications

Most rejected or delayed applications come down to a handful of avoidable errors:

Incomplete facility documentation — missing layout diagrams, hygiene protocols, or production capacity details
Mismatched product labeling — labels that don't match the product details submitted in the application, or that don't meet Chinese labeling format requirements
Missing or expired IEC — applying without an active Import Export Code, or with company details that don't match other submitted documents
Inconsistent company information — discrepancies between the business registration certificate, FSSAI license, and CIFER application
Underestimating inspection requirements — assuming all categories only need paperwork, when high-risk categories like meat, seafood, and dairy often require facility-level review
Late renewal filing — waiting until close to the 5-year expiry instead of starting the renewal 3–6 months ahead, which can interrupt active export contracts

Catching these before submission is usually the difference between a 2-month approval and a 6-month back-and-forth with Chinese authorities.

How Long Does GACC Registration Take?

Timelines vary by product risk category. Lower-risk plant-based goods with clean documentation typically move faster through review; high-risk categories like meat, seafood, and dairy — which often require facility-level scrutiny — take longer. [Ask us for a category-specific timeline estimate →]

GACC Registration Cost in India

There's no fixed government application fee for GACC registration itself. The real cost comes from preparing documentation, meeting compliance requirements, translating materials, and (optionally) professional consultancy support.

Costs typically depend on:

The type of food product being exported
The complexity of the application (e.g., high-risk categories like meat or seafood vs. lower-risk plant-based goods)
How much documentation and compliance work is needed upfront
Whether you use professional assistance to manage the application

Most businesses that work with a consultant for end-to-end support report fewer delays and avoid the cost of re-submission after rejection — often the bigger expense if the application is filed incorrectly the first time.

[Get a Free Cost Estimate for Your Product Category →]

Validity and Renewal

GACC registration is valid for 5 years from the date of approval. During this period, the registered manufacturer can export approved products to China, and the assigned registration number must remain on product packaging.

To renew:

Apply 3–6 months before expiry
Update documentation and compliance information as required
Submit the renewal through the CIFER portal
Allow time for Chinese authorities to review before the current registration lapses

Filing late can interrupt your ability to export, so renewal timing matters as much as the original application.

GACC Registration vs. Other Export Certifications

Businesses new to exporting often confuse GACC registration with other compliance requirements. Here's how they differ:

Certification	Issuing Authority	Purpose	Required For
GACC Registration	General Administration of Customs of China	Allows food products to legally enter and clear Chinese customs	Any business exporting regulated food categories to China
FSSAI License	Food Safety and Standards Authority of India	Confirms food safety compliance within India	All Indian food manufacturers and processors, domestic or export
IEC (Import Export Code)	Directorate General of Foreign Trade, India	Authorizes a business to import or export any goods from India	Any business exporting from India, regardless of destination country
APEDA Registration	Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority	Supports and regulates export of agricultural and processed food products	Exporters of agri and processed food products, often alongside GACC

In short: FSSAI and IEC are prerequisites you'll likely already need before you can even apply for GACC. APEDA registration may run in parallel depending on your product category. GACC is specifically what China requires before your goods are allowed across its border.

Why Work With Us

End-to-end handling of documentation, CIFER submission, and follow-up with Chinese authorities
Experience across high-risk categories including meat, seafood, and dairy, where facility-level scrutiny is highest
Renewal tracking so registrations don't lapse and interrupt active export contracts
Support across related compliance requirements — FSSAI, IEC, and APEDA — so you're not coordinating multiple consultants separately

Related Compliance Services

EXPORT COMPLIANCE CASE STUDY

Salecha Polyweave

GACC REGISTRATION

FOOD EXPORT • CHINA MARKET

GACC Registration
for Food Export

Regulatory support for businesses preparing to export eligible food products from India to the Chinese market under applicable GACC requirements.

ORIGIN India

DESTINATION China

FOOD EXPORT

✓

✓ EXPORT READY

CASE PROFILE

Food Export Compliance

EXPORTER Salecha Polyweave

MARKET China

SECTOR Food Export

SERVICE GACC Registration

COMPLIANCE JOURNEY

India → China

Requirement Review

Understanding the applicable requirements based on the export category and destination market.

Documentation

Organising business, facility, product, and supporting information required for registration.

Registration Support

Assistance with the applicable registration process and submission requirements.

✓

Completed

GACC registration support completed for Salecha Polyweave.

EXPORT DESTINATION

Connecting Indian Food
with the China Market

GACC registration is an important compliance step for eligible overseas food establishments seeking access to the Chinese market.

FOOD PRODUCTS CHINA EXPORT GACC

CASE STUDY OUTCOME

Salecha Polyweave — GACC Registration

Structured compliance support for food export registration related to the China market.

Written by

Raju Karn

SEO Team Lead · PSR Compliance

5+ Years Experience

Raju Karn has 5+ years of experience writing compliance content covering CPCB, CDSCO, BIS, EPR, FSSAI, WPS, PESO and various small and large business registrations, licenses and certifications across India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting in 2022, the GACC registration number for manufacturers will change. The format will move from 10 digits to 18 digits.

For example, it will look like this: CTHA 24022110201234. The first letters indicate the country code. You must display this new 18-digit GACC registration number on the Chinese labels of imported food products.

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) is the main customs authority in the country. It plays an important role in border control and regulation.

To export food and beverage products to China, overseas manufacturers must register with the GACC. Starting January 1, 2022, Chinese importers must show the GACC registration number to customs officials to clear their goods.

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