Get your product registered, compliant, and cleared for China.
Before a single case ships, China requires your producer to be registered and your labels and documents to be right. This is the part that stops most brands. It's the part we do every week.
What GACC registration is — in plain words
GACC is the General Administration of Customs of China. Under GACC Decree 248, overseas food manufacturers generally must be registered with GACC before their products can be imported into China. The registration is filed through China's online CIFER system, and — depending on the product category — either directly by the manufacturer or through the competent authority in the exporting country.
In practice, "getting into China" is less about selling and more about getting three things exactly right: who is registered, what is on the label, and whether the documents match. Get them right and customs is routine. Get them wrong and shipments sit — or get sent back.
The most common reason shipments are held? Not the product. It's a mismatch — a label claim that isn't allowed, or an exporter name that doesn't line up with the registration. Small errors, expensive delays.
What we handle for you
East by North takes your product from "not registered" to "China-import ready" across four steps.
1. Manufacturer registration & filing
We prepare your GACC/CIFER registration materials, clarify the correct submission pathway for your product category, and coordinate with the relevant authorities so the filing is complete and consistent.
2. Exporter & shipper filing, and data consistency
We align the identities across manufacturer, exporter, brand owner and shipper so they match across every document — the single biggest cause of avoidable customs rejections.
3. Label & document pre-review
Before you ship, we review labels, ingredients, nutrition claims and supporting documents against Chinese requirements, and flag exactly what needs to change.
4. Customs & import compliance support
We organise your documentation for customs clearance and help coordinate the import so the paperwork holds up at the border.
What you get
- —A product-specific compliance checklist. Exactly what your product needs, in order.
- —A structured document pack. Everything assembled and consistent, ready to submit.
- —Prioritised risk notes. The problems that would stop you, with clear revision guidance.
How long it takes
Honestly: it depends. Registration and label compliance are usually the critical path, and the timeline moves with your product category, your import route, and how complete your source documents are. Rather than quote a number that may not fit your case, we map a realistic timeline for your product in the free assessment — before you commit to anything.
Common questions
What is GACC registration?
It's the approval China's customs administration (GACC) requires for overseas food producers before their products can be imported. Under Decree 248, most overseas food manufacturers must be registered, submitted through the CIFER system.
How do I register my food product to export to China?
Prepare the manufacturer registration materials, align your manufacturer/exporter/brand/shipper details, submit through CIFER (directly or via the competent authority depending on category), and pass a label and document review before shipment. We prepare the filing and coordinate the submission for you.
How long does GACC registration take?
It varies by product category and how complete your documents are. The registration and label steps are usually the critical path — we map a realistic timeline for your product in the free assessment.
What happens if my labels or documents are wrong?
Incorrect labels or inconsistent documentation are among the most common reasons shipments are delayed or rejected. A pre-shipment review catches most of these before they cost you.
Not sure where your product stands?
Send us your product and target market. We'll tell you exactly what China entry requires — for free.
Book a free assessment →