Import Policy

In accordance with the ‘Seed Law of the People's Republic of China’, the ‘Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China’, and the ‘Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine’, in order to prevent and respond to biosecurity risks, and protect biological resources and the ecological environment, animals and plants, their products, and other quarantine items brought into China, are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and relevant plant quarantine authorities prior to arrival, as well as quarantine inspection and supervision by Chinese customs upon arrival.

Exhibitors intending to bring seed samples to the 2024 Asian Seed Congress must obtain import approval and quarantine permit in advance, and list the quarantine requirements specified by the quarantine permit in the trade contract/agreement.

1. Approval and quarantine applications shall be lodged by the importer. You can contact the recommended import agent to complete the application of import and quarantine approvals. For contact details of the recommended import agents and freight forwarders, please click here.
2. Procedure for Application:
   • To import crop seeds, apply to the MARA for import approval and quarantine permit in accordance with relevant regulations. The official website is https://zwfw.moa.gov.cn/#/homeList
   • Certain seeds, plants, and relevant products are prohibited from entering China, if the prohibited items are to be imported for special reasons, an application must be lodged to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Click here to download the ‘Catalogue of Prohibited Entry Plants for Plant Quarantine of the People's Republic of China’, meanwhile please refer to ‘Law of the People's Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine’ and ‘Measures for Quarantine Supervision and Management of Imported Plant Reproductive Materials’ for relevant requirements, these documents can be found on http://www.customs.gov.cn/.
   • To import seeds with soil or growing medium due to special reasons, please apply to the General Administration of Customs (GAC) for the special quarantine approval for importation of soil and growing medium.
   • To import genetically modified seeds, an ‘Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Certificate’ shall be obtained in advance and an application shall be submitted to the MARA. When examining genetically modified seeds, customs will verify the "Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Certificate" and relevant approval documents, check the labeling, conduct testing on genetical modification, and issue permit, or reject/destroy seeds that do not meet the requirements based on the test results.
   • To import fruits, flowers, instruments, and equipment, chemicals, etc., please contact the recommended import agent for consultation on the import process. For contact details of the recommended import agents, please click here.
3. Please obtain the ‘Quarantine Permit for Importing Seeds and Seedlings’ before importing seeds into China, and complete the filing procedures directly with the local customs based at the port of entry 10-15 days prior to entry.
4. After the ‘Quarantine Permit for Importing Seeds and Seedlings’ is verified and filed, please submit the phytosanitary certificate issued by the official plant quarantine department of the exporting country (or region), packing list, certificate of origin issued by a qualified institution, trade contract, invoice, and other necessary documents to the designated customs for inspection 7 days prior to entry.

1. In both cases where you are carrying seeds as a personal consignment or delivering seeds through freight, you must declare to the customs and undergo quarantine procedures upon arrival in China. Seeds cannot enter China without the completion of quarantine procedure. Please provide the "Quarantine Permit for Importing Seeds and Seedlings", as well as the phytosanitary certificate issued by the official plant quarantine department of the exporting country (or region), certificate of origin issued by a qualified institution, packing list, trade contract, invoice, and other necessary documents.
2. Seeds cannot be unloaded from the means of transportation upon arrival without the permission of the customs. Due to the possible restriction of the port condition etc., with the approval of the customs, seeds can be unloaded and transported to the designated location for storage, quarantine or processing. If your seeds are subject to isolated quarantine, the quarantine nurseries shall be approved by the customs. The customs will supervise and administer the transportation, storage, and quarantine processes of imported seeds. These procedures must be strictly implemented in accordance with the customs' quarantine requirements to enforce epidemic prevention measures.

During the exhibition period, imported seeds for exhibition are subject to the quarantine supervision of the local customs, and shall not be used for other purposes or unpacked without the approval of the customs. In case of special circumstances requiring a change of use, a new import application must be lodged. After the exhibition, seeds, growing medium, or packaging materials used for the exhibition must be destroyed under customs’ supervision. If your seeds need to be taken back overseas, an application for export shall be lodged.

1. To avoid delays of your participation in the exhibition, it is recommended that you submit your import and quarantine applications 3-4 months in advance.
2. In the circumstance where your seeds are subject to sampling inspection, the seeds will be sent to a designated laboratory for examination, which may require a longer processing time. It is recommended that you arrange your freight delivery as early as possible, and avoid carrying seeds as a personal consignment to avoid delays of your participation in the exhibition.
3. As the seeds are not allowed to be unpacked after entering China and during the congress, it is recommended that you bring empty packages instead of seeds for display purpose during the congress.