On 22 May 2024, the EU SME Centre and the European Union Delegation to China, with the support and input of EU Member State Agriculture and Trade Counsellors, organised a training session on the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system with representatives of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).
This three-hour hybrid training was designed especially for EU Member State national food safety authorities, as well as Agriculture and Trade Counsellors from Member State Missions to China.
During the event, GACC representatives presented each step of the registration process with the CIFER system and addressed issues that can lead to the rejection of an application. They shared recommendations on the documentation to include at every stage. They also answered questions from the audience onsite and online on topics frequently raised by SMEs such as HS codes, high-risk products, fake accounts and platforms, as well as user experience.
The event brought together around 40 stakeholders in Beijing and over 180 online participants from 21 European countries and from EU organisations. Participating organisations included EU Member State embassies, agriculture ministries, national veterinary inspection agencies, meat and dairy agencies, consumer protection and food safety offices.
