To protect the domestic ecosystem and agricultural production from invasive pests, the Chinese government has established a series of import phytosanitary regulations and requirements to ensure that imported fruits meet national phytosanitary standards. This article aims to provide a detailed interpretation of China’s phytosanitary requirements for imported apples from Serbia, offering guidance and reference for relevant exporters, importers, and regulatory personnel.

(1) The Biosafety Law of the People’s Republic of China

This law establishes the basic principles and systems for safeguarding national biosafety, preventing, controlling, and managing biological risks, protecting biological resources, and promoting the safe application of biotechnology and international cooperation.

(2) The Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine and its implementing regulations

This law aims to prevent, control, and eliminate animal and plant epidemics, protect national and public life and property safety, and promote international trade. The implementing regulations provide specific guidelines for the enforcement of the law.

(3) The Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China and its implementing regulations

These ensure food safety, prevent food contamination and the presence of harmful substances, and protect consumer health.

(4) The Measures for the Inspection, Quarantine, and Supervision of Imported Fruits

These measures outline the inspection and quarantine procedures and supervision standards for imported fruits to guarantee their quality and safety.

(5) The Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Apples from Serbia to China between the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia

The protocol signed by both parties specifies detailed phytosanitary requirements, including those related to the origin, production, processing, and export of apples, to ensure compliance with China’s phytosanitary standards before entering the Chinese market.

(1) Product Name

Permitted import commodity: fresh apples, scientific name Malus domestica, English name Apple.

(2) Origin Requirements

Imported apples must originate from designated apple production areas in Serbia that comply with the Chinese governments phytosanitary requirements.

Pre-export management measures are implemented to ensure that apples exported to China meet all phytosanitary requirements, preventing and controlling the spread of pests.

(I) Orchard Management

Establish a quality management system and traceability system, and maintain orchard sanitation conditions.
Implement integrated pest management, including pest monitoring and control.
Retain records of pest monitoring and control, and provide them as required.
Take specific measures to manage pests of concern to China, such as Mediterranean fruit fly and fire blight.

(II) Packing House Management

Processing, packaging, storage, and shipping must be conducted under official supervision.
Ensure apples are free from insects and other contaminants through processes such as washing and sterilization.
Conduct detailed inspections of suspicious fruits to ensure they are pest-free.

(III) Packaging Requirements

Packaging materials must comply with phytosanitary and hygiene requirements.
Packaging labels must include detailed information such as fruit name and origin.
3. Clearly mark "For export to the People's Republic of China".

(IV) Phytosanitary Treatment Requirements

Implement cold treatment measures for specific pests such as Mediterranean fruit fly.
Cold treatment must be conducted under official supervision and follow strict operational procedures.

(V) Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements

The certificate must specify the name or registration number of the orchard and packing house.
For apples subjected to cold treatment, the certificate must include detailed treatment information.
The certificate sample must be provided to China in advance for confirmation and record.

Entry inspection and quarantine are conducted upon the arrival of apples at Chinese ports to finally confirm compliance with Chinas phytosanitary standards.

(I) Certificate and Label Verification

China Customs will verify the phytosanitary certificate, packaging labels, and whether an entry animal and plant quarantine permit has been obtained.
For cold-treated apples, relevant cold treatment reports and certificates must also be verified.

(II) Inspection and Quarantine Procedures

China Customs will conduct inspection and quarantine on imported apples in accordance with relevant regulations.
Only apples that have passed inspection and quarantine are allowed to enter the Chinese market.

In addition, there are some other requirements that must be complied with:

Importers and exporters must strictly comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
The exporting party must ensure the quality of the apples when exporting.
Chinese customs authorities have the right to suspend or cancel the registration qualifications of orchards or packing facilities that fail to meet requirements.
China and Serbia need to maintain regular communication on quarantine requirements to ensure mutual compliance.

When non-compliant products are identified during the quarantine process, Chinese customs will handle them according to established procedures.

(1) Handling of Non-Compliant Apples

Apples from unapproved orchards or packing facilities, or those with ineffective cold treatment, will not be allowed to enter the country.
If live quarantine pests of concern to China are found during inspection, the batch of apples will be subject to return, destruction, or other quarantine measures.

(2) Notification and Suspension Measures

When non-compliant products are found, Chinese customs will immediately notify the Serbian side and may suspend the import eligibility of the relevant orchards, packing facilities, or cold treatment facilities.
If the orchard is located in a pest-free area for fire blight or Monilinia fructicola, its pest-free status will be immediately revoked.
The Serbian side must investigate the cause and take corrective measures to prevent recurrence. Chinese customs will decide whether to lift the suspension based on the improvement results.