11 June 2026
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise Australian manufacturers of nuts and seeds, and grain milling products and malt with China Imported Food Establishment Registrations (CIFER registrations) of updates to CIFER registration requirements that came into effect from 1 June 2026.
Summary of changes and key points
- Effective 1 June 2026, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) has implemented Decree 280, which replaces Decree 248 for China Imported Food Establishment Registrations (CIFER) requirements.
Note: Existing CIFER registrations remain valid.
- There are no changes to product categories requiring the recommendation from the department (Grain and Seed Exports Program). Verification is required from the department (as previously described in Article 7 of Decree 248), where applicants require departmental verification to support their CIFER registration. To determine if department verification is required use the Food products and their categories search on the CIFER login page. If the HS code states yes in the column for "Officially recommend" departmental recommendation is required.
- Australian manufacturers can now apply directly to GACC through the CIFER system for new registrations or changes to existing registrations.
- All current registrations for nuts and seeds, and grain milling products and malt will automatically renew every 5 years unless the establishment is under rectification with China, or imports are suspended by GACC.
- Please note GACC does not charge fees for overseas food manufacturer registration. The only legitimate website to use for CIFER registrations is https://cifer.singlewindow.cn/
Background
On 1 June 2026, GACC implemented Decree 280, which replaces Decree 248. Decree 280 is relevant for the Australian manufacturers of nuts and seed products, grain milling products, and malt who hold CIFER registration.
Further information on the CIFER system can be found at Export registration with China.
Decree 280 – Updates to overseas enterprise registration requirements
The updated requirements apply to new applications, amendments, and renewals submitted through the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system from 1 June 2026. Existing registrations remain valid.
A summary of updates is provided below:
- Article 6: Replacement of the fixed list of 18 product categories with a risk-based catalogue of imported foods requiring official recommendation.
- The new catalogue consists of 17 categories:
- meat and meat products, casings, bird's nests and bird's nest products, bee products, eggs and egg products, edible fats and oils, stuffed wheaten food, edible grains, grain flour and malt, dehydrated vegetables, seasoning powder, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, special dietary foods, health foods/dietary supplements, dairy products, and aquatic products.
- Article 8-9 and 17-18: Streamlining of the registration process for countries with food safety systems recognised by GACC, or established cooperation agreements.
- Enterprises may submit registration application documents to GACC directly or via an authorised agent.
- Audit and inspection reports and competent authority recommendation letters continue to be required for products listed in the catalogue.
- Article 17-18 also provides for a government-to-government list registration method to be applied in certain circumstances. The department is seeking further clarification from GACC on how this mechanism will operate and whether it will be applicable to Australian establishments.
- Article 20: Changes to registered enterprise information will no longer require reapplication if the changes do not significantly impact food safety or hygiene management.
- Establishments must submit a modification application to update their listings.
- Article 21 and 22: Registrations will have a duration of 5 years. Eligible registrations will also undergo automatic renewal for a further 5 years upon expiry.
- Applications for products excluded from automatic renewal must be submitted within 3 to 12 months prior to the expiry of registration.
- Automatic renewal does not apply in certain circumstances, including where establishments are suspended or subject to regulatory actions.
- Article 27: Decree 280 expands the grounds for revocation of registration from 7 to 9 circumstances. Additional grounds include where an enterprise does not meet registration qualifications or conditions, and other circumstances in which registration may be revoked in accordance with law.
- Article 30: Conditions for overseas storage facilities subject to registration and management will be separately announced by GACC.
The department will continue to engage with GACC and provide further advice as more information is received. GACC has indicated that additional implementation guidance and supporting materials will be released following commencement of Decree 280. The department will review any further guidance and provide further updates as information becomes available.
All exporters are encouraged to review the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) and work with their importers to ensure that their products comply with China's import requirements.
CIFER application process
HS/CIQ codes used in the application process have been replaced by a registered product category. To see which codes are included in a registered product category, use the Food products and their categories search on the CIFER login page.
There are 2 registration pathways depending on the product type:
- Verification from the department (as previously described in Article 7 of Decree 248), where applicants require departmental verification to support their CIFER registration, or
- Direct self-registration (as previously described in Article 9 of Decree 248), where applicants can directly register on the CIFER system
- While the department can view CIFER notifications for self-registrations it will not oversee application submission process.
- self-registration applications now include 8 mandatory declarations that must be ticked to proceed.
Registration renewal
Registrations for all other product categories will renew automatically after 5 years unless:
- the establishment is under rectification with China due to non-compliance, or
- China has suspended imports of that food type from Australia.
Australian manufacturing establishments responsibilities
- Australian nuts and seeds, and grain milling products and malt. manufacturing establishments must have an approved CIFER registration to export products to China, unless they are exporting through cross-border e-commerce (CBEC), which is managed under separate regulations.
- The wording for where to display the China registration number or department registration number has changed from 'on the inner and outer packaging of the foods exported to China' to 'on the food packaging'.
Contact information
If you have any questions regarding this IAN, please email Grain Export Program.
Jemma Martin
Assistant Secretary
Plant Exports Branch