1. Why the Chinese fishmeal market matters
China is the world's largest importer of fishmeal, purchasing approximately 2 million tonnes annually. The aquaculture sector — particularly shrimp, tilapia, and marine fish farming — drives consistent year-round demand for high-protein feed ingredients. Chinese fishmeal imports were valued at over $1 billion in 2024 alone, and the trend continues upward as aquaculture production expands.
While Peru has historically been the dominant supplier, Chinese buyers are actively diversifying their source portfolio. El Niño-driven quota volatility, supply concentration risk, and rising freight costs have created real commercial opportunities for fishmeal producers in India, Pakistan, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritania, and other non-Peruvian origins.
However, entering the Chinese market requires navigating a specific regulatory pathway that differs significantly from most other export destinations. This guide explains exactly what fishmeal producers and exporters need to do.
2. Critical distinction: feed vs food registration
China maintains separate regulatory frameworks for imported food and imported feed:
| Attribute | Food pathway (Decree 248 / CIFER) | Feed pathway (GACC/DAPQ + MARA) |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Seafood for human consumption | Fishmeal, fish oil, feed additives |
| Facility registration | GACC via CIFER portal | GACC/DAPQ via competent authority |
| Product registration | Not required for most foods | MARA Import Registration Certificate |
| Chinese agent required? | No (self-registration possible) | Yes — MARA requires a domestic agent |
| Key standards | GB 2733, GB 14881 | GB/T 19164, GB 13078, GB 10648 |
| Upcoming changes | Decree 280 replaces 248 (June 2026) | No major changes announced |
Fishmeal is classified as a "single feed" (单一饲料) under Chinese regulations. This means it requires both facility registration with GACC and product registration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Both registrations must be in place before the first shipment can clear Chinese customs.
3. The four-step compliance pathway
Exporting feed-grade fishmeal to China requires completing four compliance steps. Steps 1–2 (GACC) and Step 3 (MARA) should run in parallel to minimize total timeline. Each step has different responsible parties and documentation requirements.
Country and product access (quarantine admission)
Your country must have documented feed-export access to China for fishmeal or the relevant aquatic animal protein category. If access already exists, the next step is facility-level registration through the competent authority. If access does not yet exist, your national authority must initiate a formal market-access process with the Chinese side. Do not rely on outdated third-party country lists — verify current country/product access directly with your competent authority, your importer, or the latest GACC-facing records.
GACC facility registration (overseas feed plant)
Individual production facilities must be registered with GACC through the competent authority of the exporting country. The competent authority reviews the facility, confirms compliance with national and equivalent Chinese standards, and submits the registration dossier to GACC. GACC may request a questionnaire, additional documentation, or conduct on-site inspections. Registration is valid for 5 years. Only fishmeal produced at registered facilities can be exported to China.
MARA Import Registration Certificate
Before exporting fishmeal to China for the first time, the overseas producer typically needs to obtain a MARA Import Registration Certificate (进口登记证). This is a product-level registration, separate from the GACC facility registration. The application is usually submitted through a domestic agent or subsidiary in China. Confirm with your agent whether your product requires a full MARA import registration license or qualifies for simplified treatment. The certificate is valid for 5 years and should be renewed 6 months before expiry. Do not ship until MARA status is confirmed in writing — shipping without confirmed MARA treatment creates a high risk of hold or refusal at Chinese ports.
Shipment documentation and Chinese feed labelling
Each shipment requires a complete documentation package: Certificate of Analysis (COA), health/veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority, phytosanitary certificate (where applicable), commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. All labels must comply with GB 10648 (feed label standard) and include the basic mandatory feed-label information: product name, raw material composition, guaranteed analysis values, net weight, manufacturing date, shelf life, storage conditions, manufacturer name and address, and the GACC registration number. Additional quality indicators — such as TVN or other fishmeal-specific parameters — should be confirmed with the Chinese agent and against the applicable product/registration treatment before printing.
4. Quality standards: GB/T 19164, GB 13078, GB 10648
Chinese import inspection and commercial acceptance of fishmeal commonly rely on three reference layers: product quality parameters, feed hygiene requirements, and feed label requirements. Exporters should confirm the exact applicable thresholds and label treatment with their Chinese agent for the specific product and registration pathway.
| Standard | Scope | Key parameters for fishmeal |
|---|---|---|
| GB/T 19164-2021 | Fishmeal product quality standard | Crude protein (≥62% for Grade 2, ≥65% for Grade 1, ≥68% for Premium), fat ≤10%, moisture ≤10%, salt ≤3%, sand ≤2%, TVN, pepsin digestibility ≥80% |
| GB 13078-2017 | Hygienic standard for feeds | Heavy metals (lead ≤5 mg/kg, mercury ≤0.5 mg/kg, arsenic ≤2 mg/kg, cadmium ≤1 mg/kg), pesticide residues, mycotoxins, Salmonella (absent), total bacterial count |
| GB 10648 | Feed label standard | Product name, raw materials, guaranteed analysis, net weight, production date, shelf life, storage, manufacturer info, GACC number. Additional quality indicators should be confirmed with Chinese agent. |
5. Which countries can export fishmeal to China?
Country access for feed-grade fishmeal should be verified case by case. China allows imports only where the relevant country/product pathway is open and the exporting facility is properly registered through the competent-authority channel.
Do not rely on static third-party "whitelists." Country access, protocol status, plant scope, and registration records can change. The safest approach is to confirm three things before investing in a shipment: (1) documented country/product access, (2) current facility-side registration readiness, and (3) product-side MARA treatment.
Multiple countries across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe have documented fishmeal export pathways to China. For country-specific guidance, see our regional supplier guides:
→ India fishmeal to China: EIC protocol, GACC & MARA compliance
→ Pakistan fishmeal to China: tariff edge, registration & export hubs
6. Shipment documentation checklist
Every individual shipment of fishmeal to China requires the following documentation package. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common causes of port holds and clearance delays.
| Document | Issued by | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | Accredited laboratory (SGS, Bureau Veritas, or equivalent) | Full physicochemical and safety analysis matching GB/T 19164 and GB 13078 parameters |
| Health / Veterinary certificate | Competent authority of exporting country | Confirms compliance with national and Chinese import requirements; must reference GACC registration number |
| Certificate of Origin | Chamber of commerce or trade authority | Required for tariff classification; critical if claiming preferential duty rates |
| Commercial invoice + Packing list | Exporter | Must match GACC-registered facility name exactly — any discrepancy may trigger a hold |
| Bill of lading | Shipping line | Shipper name must match registered entity |
| Chinese-language label | Producer (verified by Chinese agent) | Per GB 10648: product name, composition, guaranteed analysis, net weight, dates, manufacturer details, GACC number. Confirm additional quality indicators with Chinese agent. |
| MARA Import Registration Certificate | MARA (China) | Must be obtained before shipment departure; Chinese importer presents at customs declaration |
7. Common mistakes that block clearance
Based on industry experience and regulatory enforcement patterns, these are the most frequent issues that cause shipment holds, delays, or outright rejections at Chinese ports:
Facility name mismatch
The facility name on the GACC registration, the health certificate, the commercial invoice, and the bill of lading must be identical. Even minor discrepancies — an abbreviated name, a different legal entity suffix, or a spelling variation — can trigger customs holds. Verify exact name alignment before every shipment.
Missing MARA registration
Some exporters assume that GACC facility registration alone is sufficient. It is not. Without the MARA Import Registration Certificate, the product cannot be sold or used in China. Clearance will be refused regardless of GACC status.
Incorrect or missing label information
Chinese feed labels must comply with GB 10648 and must be in Chinese. Incomplete guaranteed analysis values, omitting the GACC registration number, or missing fishmeal-specific indicators required by the applicable registration pathway are common errors. Label content should be verified by your Chinese domestic agent before printing.
Using the wrong registration pathway
Applying for CIFER/Decree 248 food registration instead of the GACC/DAPQ feed facility registration wastes months and results in an unusable registration. Fishmeal is feed, not food — confirm the correct pathway before starting.
Expired or inconsistent COA
The COA must be from an accredited laboratory and should cover all parameters relevant to GB/T 19164 and GB 13078. A COA that only covers protein and moisture — but omits heavy metals, pesticides, or freshness indicators — creates a high risk of inspection issues.
8. Realistic timelines and costs
| Step | Timeline (estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Country access (if already approved) | Not required | Verify current country/product access |
| Country access (new country) | 1–3 years | Requires diplomatic engagement |
| GACC facility registration | 3–12 months | Depends on competent authority responsiveness and GACC review queue |
| MARA Import Registration Certificate | 4–8 months | Requires Chinese domestic agent; valid 5 years |
| First shipment (after both registrations) | 2–4 weeks | Standard maritime logistics + port clearance |
9. Next steps: work with Remeta
Remeta is a Brazil-based commodity trading company that connects fishmeal and fish oil producers from non-Peruvian origins with confirmed buyers across China. We specialize in GACC-compliant sourcing from India, Pakistan, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritania, and other emerging origins.
If your facility is already GACC-registered and holds a valid MARA Import Registration Certificate, we can move fast. Send us your COA, production origin, monthly capacity, and FOB price indication. Our team reviews within 48 hours.
If you are in the process of obtaining registration, we are happy to discuss your timeline and product specifications. Early engagement allows us to plan sourcing integration ahead of your first permitted shipment.
Related guides:
→ China Registration for Fishmeal Exporters: GACC DAPQ vs MARA Explained
→ India fishmeal to China: EIC protocol, GACC & MARA compliance
→ Pakistan fishmeal to China: tariff edge, registration & export hubs
Related documents:
→ Remeta Fishmeal Specification PDF
→ Remeta Fishmeal Export Checklist 2026 PDF
References and sources
- USDA FAS CH2024-0039 — GACC and MARA roles, Feed Ingredients Catalog treatment, import registration logic for feed exports.
- USDA FAS CH2025-0061 — export certificate framework and registered foreign facility requirement.
- USDA FAS CH2025-0204 — Decree 280 replaces Decree 248 for imported food from June 1, 2026.
- China Feed Label Standard (GB 10648) — scope and mandatory feed-label structure.
- Brazil government release on China market opening — confirms fishmeal/fish oil market opening for Brazil in 2025.
- Chinese standards referenced: GB/T 19164-2021 (fishmeal), GB 13078-2017 (feed hygiene), GB 10648-2013 (feed labels). Use the latest official text for final regulatory confirmation.
- Timelines, cost estimates, and operational details are practical market ranges, not regulatory guarantees.
Export readiness checklist
0 / 10- Latest lot-specific COA
- Processing method (steam-dried / other)
- Plant location, country, and port of loading
- Current China registration status (if any)
- Indicative monthly volume and FOB basis
Ready to supply fishmeal to China?
Send your COA, origin, monthly volume, and FOB price. We review and respond within 48 hours.
Send offer via WhatsApp →10. Frequently asked questions
Do fishmeal exporters need both GACC and MARA compliance?
In practice, yes. GACC handles facility-side access and registration; MARA handles product-side registration and licensing. Both tracks should be confirmed before first shipment. Do not assume that one approval alone is enough.
Is Decree 248 / Decree 280 relevant for fishmeal?
Only as background context. Decree 248 (and its replacement, Decree 280, effective June 2026) governs overseas producers of imported food. Feed-grade fishmeal follows the separate GACC/DAPQ + MARA feed pathway, not the imported food pathway.
How do I check if my country has fishmeal export access to China?
Contact your national competent authority, your China-side importer, or check the latest GACC-facing records. Do not rely on static third-party lists — access status and plant scope can change.