Seamless Indoor Cat Food Export to China from Japan_ Guangzhou Nansha Port Customs Clearance

Case: Delays at Nansha Port for Japanese Cat Food Exporters

A Japanese cat food exporter once encountered unnecessary delays at Nansha Port due to incomplete label filing documents and untranslated nutritional information on product packaging. This not only extended the clearance process duration but also risked customer dissatisfaction, underscoring the critical need for source-specific compliance guidance in navigating China’s pet food market.

Guangzhou Nansha Port’s Dedicated Services for Japanese Cat Food Exporters

Guangzhou Nansha Port addresses these challenges with a suite of dedicated services for Japanese cat food exporters: a one-stop document pre-audit service that proactively reviews label filing documents, origin certificates, and other paperwork to identify discrepancies before arrival, significantly reducing on-site delays; a 24/7 customs dedicated liaison to resolve questions regarding Japan-China pet food standards, such as mandatory vitamin content checks; and a priority cargo handling lane to ensure cat food shipments are prioritized for inspection and loading, minimizing port dwell time. Each service is crafted to simplify cross-border trade and align with the unique needs of Japanese exporters.

Document Preparation: China-Compliant Paperwork for Japanese Cat Food Exporters

To efficiently export Seamless Indoor Cat Food (a type of pet food) from Japan to China, exporters must prepare a comprehensive set of China-compliant documents, each tailored to meet China’s pet food regulations and Nansha Port’s clearance standards. Below is a breakdown of critical paperwork and their requirements for Japanese exporters:

• Import Feed Registration Certificate: This mandatory document is issued by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and verifies that the exporter meets China’s feed safety standards. Japanese exporters must first obtain this certificate from MARA, which includes details on production facilities and ingredient sourcing. A valid Import Feed Registration Certificate is non-negotiable—without it, shipments will be rejected at Nansha Port, as China strictly enforces feed registration for all imported pet food products.
• Certificate of Origin: Issued by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), this document confirms the product’s origin and is required to claim preferential tariffs under China-Japan free trade agreements. Japanese exporters must ensure the certificate includes the correct HS code and is stamped with the official seal of the issuing authority. This certificate is crucial for reducing import duties and accelerating customs clearance.

The Certificate of Origin and Import Feed Registration Certificate work in tandem to establish the product’s legitimacy and eligibility for market entry, forming the cornerstone of export documentation for pet food.

• Health Certificate: Issued by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), this document certifies that Seamless Indoor Cat Food meets Japan’s internal health and safety standards. For China, the certificate must include a bilingual English-Chinese translation and details on microbiological tests, pesticide residues, and allergen information. Without a valid Health Certificate, customs officials cannot confirm the product is free from harmful substances, leading to additional inspection delays.
• Label Record-Filing Credentials: As a subclass of pet food, cat food requires strict label compliance in China, including Chinese translations of all product information, clear indication of nutritional content, and adherence to the corresponding national food safety standards. Japanese exporters must submit label filing documents to Nansha Port customs 30 days before shipment, where officials verify alignment with China’s standards. Non-compliant labels—such as missing ingredient lists or untranslated warnings—will result in fines or product rejection.

China Market Access Solutions: Tailored Support for Cat Food Exporters

Beyond preparing compliant documents, Japanese cat food exporters need specialized support to navigate Nansha Port’s clearance process and China’s evolving pet food regulations—our end-to-end solutions address these core pain points.

• Source-Specific Document Audit: This free service for Japanese exporters covers comprehensive reviews of the Import Feed Registration Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Health Certificate, and Label Record-Filing Credentials. Our team checks for document authenticity, translation accuracy, and alignment with China’s latest feed safety policies, providing a detailed feedback report within 24 hours. This proactive step eliminates last-minute discrepancies that cause delays at Nansha Port.
• Customs Dedicated Liaison: We assign a dedicated customs specialist familiar with Japanese pet food export practices to coordinate directly with Nansha Port officials. This specialist addresses urgent queries on label filing requirements, resolves document issues in real time, and ensures compliance with China’s animal feed import rules. For Japanese exporters, this means personalized guidance on meeting unique standards like JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) alignment.
• Label Compliance Consultation Service: Given China’s strict label regulations, we offer pre-shipment reviews of cat food packaging to ensure Chinese translations, font sizes, and nutritional claims meet the corresponding standards. Our team provides feedback on non-compliant elements (e.g., incorrect calorie counts or unapproved additives) and recommends adjustments, reducing the risk of label rejection at Nansha Port.

Our solutions significantly reduce document-related delays for Japanese cat food exporters, streamline Nansha Port clearance processes, and deliver a high first-pass success rate for first-time China exporters. By combining document expertise with port collaboration, we eliminate the complexity of pet food export to China.