How to Import Indonesian Seafood to China: GACC Registration & Customs Guide (2026)

• ✓GACC (General Administration of Customs China) registration is mandatory for all Indonesian seafood processing facilities since January 2022. Unregistered facilities cannot legally export to China — verify your supplier's GACC registration before signing any contract.
• ✓Indonesian seafood facilities approved by GACC are listed on the GACC official database; buyers can search by company name or country. TaMainco's Surabaya facility is GACC-registered.
• ✓CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine) physically inspects seafood shipments at Chinese ports of entry: Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen are primary entry points for Indonesian seafood.
• ✓Chinese-language labeling is mandatory on both inner and outer packaging — including product name in Chinese, country of origin, ingredients, weight, and cold chain storage instructions.
• ✓Registration timeline: GACC registration for a new facility takes 45–90 days. Plan ahead for new supplier relationships. Existing registered facilities can begin shipments immediately upon order confirmation.

China: The World's Largest Seafood Import Market

China imports over 6 million metric tonnes of seafood annually — more than any other country — driven by a population of 1.4 billion with deeply ingrained seafood consumption culture, rising middle-class income, and expanding cold chain retail infrastructure. For Indonesian seafood exporters, China represents the single largest opportunity and, simultaneously, one of the most complex regulatory environments.

Understanding GACC requirements is the most critical compliance step for any buyer importing Indonesian seafood into China.

GACC Registration — The Foundation

Since January 1, 2022, all overseas food producers, processors, and storage facilities that export food (including seafood) to China must be registered with GACC under Order 248 (《进口食品境外生产企业注册管理规定》). For Indonesian seafood:

Who needs to register: The Indonesian processing facility that manufactures the export product. The exporter/trader company alone is insufficient — the actual production facility must be registered.

How to verify: Search the GACC official database by country (Indonesia) and product category (aquatic products). Confirm the facility's registration number matches the processing certificates provided by your supplier.

Registration process for new facilities:

• —Indonesian facility prepares documentation: HACCP certificate, facility license, production capacity, product list
• —Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs (KKP) reviews and forwards to GACC
• —GACC reviews within 20–45 working days
• —Upon approval, facility receives a GACC registration number valid for 5 years

Timeline: 45–90 days from submission to approval. Plan for this timeline when establishing new supplier relationships.

Products Covered and Restrictions

Not all Indonesian seafood is accepted by China. Key restrictions as of 2026:

• —Live seafood: CITES-listed species require additional permits. Live grouper is generally accepted with BKIPM health certificate.
• —Farmed shrimp: Requires aquaculture certification and antibiotic residue testing below China's MRL standards
• —Processed seafood (IQF fillets, squid rings): Accepted with GACC registration + health certificate + COA

CIQ Inspection at Chinese Ports

Chinese Customs (GACC) conducts physical inspection of imported seafood through its inspection and quarantine arm (CIQ). Primary ports for Indonesian seafood:

• —Shanghai (Yangshan/Waigaoqiao): Largest entry point; most Indonesian frozen seafood
• —Guangzhou (Nansha): Preferred for live and fresh-chilled from South Indonesia
• —Tianjin: Northern China; major entry for large-volume frozen commodity
• —Qingdao: Key point for squid and pelagic fish from Indonesia

CIQ inspection covers:

• —Document verification (health certificate, GACC registration, COA)
• —Physical inspection of container temperature logs
• —Random sampling for microbiological and residue testing
• —Label compliance check

Required Documentation for Each Shipment

Labeling Requirements

All seafood imported to China must carry Chinese-language labels on both inner and outer packaging:

• —Product name in Chinese (中文品名)
• —Country of origin: 原产地: 印度尼西亚
• —Net weight in metric units
• —Producer's name, address, and GACC registration number
• —Storage instructions (冷冻储存 -18°C以下)
• —Production date and shelf life
• —Importer's name and address in China

Labels must be printed or affixed before or during customs clearance — pre-clearance label approval for new products is recommended.

Common Payment Terms with Chinese Buyers

• —Standard new buyer terms: 30% T/T advance + 70% T/T before BL release
• —Established buyer terms: 30% T/T + 70% D/P (Documents against Payment)
• —Large institutional buyers: LC at sight available
• —Trading companies: May request consignment terms — TaMainco typically declines for first 3–5 shipments

Seasonal Demand in China

• —Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb): Peak demand for premium whole grouper, live crab, premium shrimp — order 60–90 days ahead
• —National Day / Golden Week (Oct): Secondary peak for premium seafood
• —Off-peak (Mar–May, Aug–Sep): Better pricing and availability for buyers willing to take inventory positions

For full certification and documentation context, see our Complete Guide to Importing Indonesian Seafood 2026 and Cold Chain Logistics Guide.

中国：全球最大的海产品进口市场

中国每年进口海产品超过600万公吨，是全球进口量最大的国家。对于印度尼西亚海产品出口商而言，中国市场是最大的机遇，也是最复杂的监管环境之一。

GACC注册——核心合规要求

自2022年1月1日起，所有向中国出口食品（包括海产品）的境外生产、加工和仓储设施必须根据海关总署第248号令完成GACC注册。

谁需要注册：实际生产出口产品的印度尼西亚加工工厂。仅凭出口商/贸易公司身份不够——实际生产工厂必须完成注册。

核实方式：在GACC官方数据库搜索，按国家（印度尼西亚）和产品类别（水产品）进行查询，确认工厂注册编号与供应商提供的认证文件相符。

注册时间：从提交材料到获批通常需要45-90个工作日，建立新供应商关系时须提前规划。

每批货物所需文件

必须提供以下文件：商业发票、装箱单、提单、BKIPM卫生证书、原产地证书（Form E）、分析证书（COA）、冷链温度记录及中文标签样本。

中文标签要求

所有进口中国的海产品内外包装必须贴有中文标签，包含：中文品名、原产地（印度尼西亚）、净重、生产工厂名称及GACC注册编号、储存条件（冷冻储存，-18°C以下）、生产日期和保质期以及中国进口商信息。