Compliance requirements for food exports: comparison of customs and food safety regulations in various countries

I. General compliance core elements
No matter which country the food is exported to, it must meet the following basic requirements:

Food safety standards: meet the limit standards for microorganisms, heavy metals, pesticide residues, etc.

Labels and packaging: localized labeling of ingredient list, allergens, shelf life, manufacturer information, etc.

Health license: food production qualification officially recognized by the exporting country (such as the “Export Food Production Enterprise Registration Certificate” required by the customs in China).

Certificate of origin: Some countries require a certificate of origin (such as FORM E ASEAN Preferential Certificate of Origin).

2. Comparison of regulations in key countries/regions
   Country/region Customs key requirements Food safety regulations core Special requirements
   United States – FDA prior notice

• Customs bond guarantee – Comply with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
• HACCP mandatory (aquatic products, juice, etc.)
• Nutrition labeling must comply with USDA/FDA standards – FDA facility number (FFRN) registration required
• Low-acid canned products require additional declaration (FCE/SID)
  European Union – Declare in advance through the TRACES system
• EU importer filing required – Comply with EC 178/2002 (General Food Law)
• REACH regulation (packaging materials)
• Organic food requires EU organic certification – High-risk food is tested at each batch at the port (such as peanuts produced in China need to be checked for aflatoxin)
• Certain additives are prohibited (such as carmine)
  Japan – Japanese importers are required to submit import declarations
• High inspection rate – Comply with the Food Sanitation Law and the Positive List System (pesticide residue standards)
• Japanese label and irradiated food label required – Specific ingredients need to be tested (e.g., chlorpyrifos for vegetables produced in China)
• Functional foods need to apply for “health functional food” license
  Australia – Biosafety inspection (animal and plant ingredients)
• Import license required – Comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ)
• Allergen labeling is mandatory (including gluten, nuts, etc.) – Vitamin/mineral fortified foods require pre-approval
• Meat exports require official veterinary certificate
  Middle East (Saudi Arabia) – SASO certification (mandatory from 2021)
• Halal certification required – Comply with GSO standards (Gulf Standards Organization)
• Alcohol or porcine ingredients are prohibited – Labels must be in Arabic
• Import process delayed during Ramadan
  China – Overseas production enterprise registration (General Administration of Customs GACC record)
• Quarantine approval – Comply with the “National Food Safety Standard” (GB series)
• Infant formula requires formula registration – Chinese label required
• Health food requires “blue hat” approval
  III. Compliance recommendations
  Preliminary research:

Check the official website of the target country’s customs (such as the US FDA, EU DG SANTE) or entrust a local agent to confirm the latest regulations.

Pay attention to technical trade barriers (TBT/SPS notifications), such as the EU’s new regulations in 2023 restricting the use of titanium dioxide (E171).

Document preparation:

Third-party test reports (such as SGS, Intertek) for target country limit standards.

Religious certification (such as Halal, Kosher) if needed.

Localization adaptation:

Label content, measurement units (such as pounds/ounces in the United States and grams/ml in the European Union), allergen reminders (the European Union requires 14 types of allergens to be bold).

Risk warning:

Emerging markets (such as Southeast Asia) may suddenly adjust tariffs or bans (such as Indonesia’s restriction on the import of beverages with excessive sugar in 2024).

IV. Common violation cases
US: Failure to label allergens (peanuts, soy) led to FDA detention;

EU: Unapproved genetically modified ingredients were detected;

Japan: Pesticide residues in tea exceeded the limit (such as cypermethrin);

Middle East: Halal certificates were not issued by recognized institutions.

If you need in-depth analysis of specific countries or categories (such as dairy products, meat), we can provide further details.