Date of issue: 13 August 2024

Date of effect: Immediate

Reference Number: MAA 2024-09

Attention

• Industry bodies: Seafood Export Consultative Committee, Seafood Trade Advisory Group, Seafood Industry Australia
• Seafood Export Establishments
• Exporters, Automated Export Permit Issuers (AEPI), and EXDOC users
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This Market Access Advice (MAA) provides information on the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system process for non-viable seafood export registration. The CIFER system is administered by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) in China.

All Australian manufacturers, processors, and cold storage establishments are responsible for ensuring their details in the CIFER system are correct and that approved products are up-to-date and accurate prior to departure (see MAA 2023-12: China: Dairy, Seafood, Honey and Other Edible Non-prescribed Goods: New registration process in CIFER).

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry understands there is a risk of detainment of consignments if shipments are exported with inappropriate harmonised system (HS) and China Inspection and Quarantine (CIQ) codes.

Export registered establishments must apply for a listing modification to add new HS/CIQ codes if they plan to export product that is not already listed within the scope of their current registration. GACC is responsible for finalising requested codes and the exporter is responsible for seeking status updates.

The department encourages all exporters to confirm with their Chinese importer or agent that the full Chinese HS code (10 digits) and CIQ code (3 digits) is currently assigned to the product that is being imported into China. The codes are subject to change, and it is crucial to confirm with the importer that all importing country requirements are met and import permits (where applicable) are approved prior to exporting your product(s). The importer must verify that the correct CIQ codes are applied before departure. The department may not be able to facilitate the release of any detained consignments with incorrect codes applied.

The department recommends users of Micor to subscribe to the Micor update service for a commodity-specific email that lists any changes that may have been made in the preceding week.

Further information

Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au or dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

Please note that depending on your email settings, you may need to download pictures in this email. This can be done by selecting the 'Click here to download pictures' or 'Display images' prompt at the top of this email.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.