Businesses exporting food and drink to China must update their details

Businesses are required to change their details on Cifer before 30 June 2023

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is reminding food and drink businesses who were successful as part of the fast-track process in 2021, of the requirement from the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) to modify their details on Cifer before 30 June 2023.

In advance of bringing in new import regulations in January 2022, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) offered businesses who were or planned to export medium and low-risk products to China to ‘fast track’ their application. This enabled businesses who were successful to continue to export to China from 1 January 2022, without registering via the new Cifer system.

Businesses who were successful via the fast-track registration (in 2021), can check their application status on the single window query site.

How do I access my Cifer registration?

If your company is on the single window query site, you should email agrifoodexports@defra.gov.uk to request your businesses account login information.

What information do I need to supply for the modification?

Each category requires different information and documentation to be inputted and/or uploaded to the Cifer system.

All businesses will be required to complete, sign, stamp and send Defra a checklist (relevant to your product category) and declaration (in Word document format) to be uploaded to the Cifer system.

These need to be then emailed in Word format to Defra at agrifoodexports@defra.gov.uk.

What happens after a modification is submitted?

Defra is currently unaware of the timeframe once a modification is submitted. They are working with Chinese authorities to determine confirmation of the next steps.

It is recommended that businesses subscribe to Defra’s Agri-Food bulletin, a weekly bulletin, where they will share any additional information as it is received.

Read more about the GACC requirements for businesses.

First published 26 April 2023