Health food exports welcome opportunities, compliance clearance and logistics support become key
Created on 07.29
China's health food industry is rapidly developing, and consumers are increasingly focused on products that enhance physical fitness, with an urgent demand to explore international markets. However, exports must comply with regulations, as there are requirements from customs classification to various technical trade measures in different countries. Professional international logistics services can provide customs clearance and transportation support.
Health Food Export Basics: Customs Classification and Export Requirements
1) The customs classification is clear, and the declaration elements must be complete.
The customs code for health food and similar products is 2106909090, with a corresponding tariff rate of 12% and a value-added tax rate of 13%. The regulatory document requirement is AB, and the inspection and quarantine requirement is R/S. When declaring, it is necessary to specify the product name, ingredient content, packaging specifications, brand (in both Chinese and foreign languages), and other elements.
2) Exports must meet dual standards, and filing is a prerequisite.
Exported food must comply with the standards or contract requirements of the importing country (region); exporting food production enterprises and raw material planting and breeding farms must file with the national entry-exit inspection and quarantine department.
（Image source: Official WeChat account of Chongqing Customs）
Technical trade measure requirements of major exporting countries
1) United States: Parallel filing and notification system
Health food products are referred to as dietary supplements and are regulated by the FDA, based on the core provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Products containing new ingredients must report to the FDA 75 days prior to market launch (excluding known ingredients with no risk); products with functional claims must notify the FDA 30 days in advance, and new health claims require approval.
2) Canada: Strict approval, NPN code required
Classified as natural health products, regulated by NHPD, implementing a full-process approval system. Before the product is launched, complete data on ingredients, dosage, and functional claims must be submitted, and production and sales can only occur after obtaining an 8-digit NPN code; imports from third countries require an import license and must comply with Canadian production standards.
3) European Union: Free circulation after filing
Known as food supplements, most countries implement a pre-market filing system, requiring a declaration of labels and other information to the national government 30 days before market launch (this period can be shortened in some countries) without the need for approval. After filing, they can circulate within the EU without the need for re-filing.
4) Japan: Classification management, system similar to China
Covers three categories of specific health food (licensing system), functional labeling food (declaration system), and nutritional functional food (self-certification system), corresponding to registration, filing, and compliance self-inspection, which must comply with the "Pharmaceutical Affairs Law," "Food Sanitation Law," and other regulations.
5) Philippines: Full-process supervision, requirements before, during, and after import
Classified as a food supplement, regulated by the Ministry of Health. Before import, it is necessary to confirm that the exporting country has an equivalent food safety system; sensory and microbiological inspections are required upon import; continuous monitoring is required after import, and non-compliant products will be disposed of.
Zhongnan Whale Navigation assists in the efficient export of health food products
Conclusion: Health food export, compliance + professional logistics dual protection
The export of health food is an important path for the globalization of the industry, but it faces complex compliance requirements such as customs classification and technical trade measures from multiple countries. From ingredient declaration to the access processes of various countries, every link needs to be precisely controlled.
Zhongnan Whale Shipping, with 20 years of international logistics experience, a network in over 100 countries, and compliance customs clearance capabilities, can connect the entire chain of "customs declaration - international transportation - overseas warehouse delivery": assisting enterprises in adapting to regulations in various countries to complete filing and label compliance, while ensuring logistics efficiency through sea/air transport resources and overseas warehouse drop shipping, allowing health food products to safely and efficiently reach global markets, and building a solid "compliance foundation" and "logistics bridge" for industries going overseas.
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