China CIQ Inspection and Quarantine New Changes
Posted by Edward Noon in China, Export, Food Products, General TradingWhat is happening with China CIQ Inspection and Quarantine? This seems to be still evolving and some uncertainty as to what and when and how it will all take place. Supposedly it will officially start on September 1, 2007 but with all the China food safety issues they have already started certain phases of the new program.Â
At present the CIQ are checking product by going to packers and taking samples and testing. This has caused delays because it is taking at least 10 working days to get answers if not longer. We are experiencing delays up to 3 weeks on some of our shipments.
They plan on starting on September 1, 2007 to start stickering cartons. A CIQ Logo will be placed on the outer carton to show that it has been inspected by the CIQ and approved. They have yet to make a decision on retail pack if it will require a sticker on the polybag as well. Of course this will add some extra cost and delays for the stickers and manual labor to sticker.
Now I have just learned that the Beijing CIQ will be sending staff to the province to supervise food safety, and the provincial CIQ will be sending them to the county for the same purpose for a 3 month period of time for training of the new regulations.
Further they will have CIQ staff located at the ports to inspect the cargo to ensure the product has been stickered with the CIQ logo. I am not sure I like this step because what it means is that the containers after being loaded at the factory and sealed will have to have the seals broken and resealed. I guess because they are officials nothing can or will happen after all they are the government.
Problems we can expect for the unforeseeable future – delays and more delays.Â
The big question is will it work? Will it help to solve the China food safety issues?Â
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