China Customs: SA Fresh Cherry Phytosanitary Rules(Sep 28)

China Customs Announces Phytosanitary Requirements for South African Fresh Cherry Imports

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) has issued Announcement No. 140 of 2026, announcing the phytosanitary requirements for the import of fresh sweet cherries (Prunus avium) from South Africa. Effective immediately, South African fresh cherries meeting the specified requirements are permitted for import into China.

I. Legal Basis

The announcement is based on the Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China, the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law and its implementing regulations, the Food Safety Law and its implementing regulations, the Administrative Measures for Inspection and Quarantine of Imported Fruits, and the Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of South African Fresh Cherries to China between GACC and the South African Department of Agriculture.

II. Approved Commodities and Origins

The approved commodity is fresh sweet cherries (Prunus avium) from South African cherry production areas. Orchards, packing houses, and treatment facilities must be audited by the South African side and jointly approved and registered by both parties. Registration information includes name, address, and registration code for traceability purposes.

III. Quarantine Pests of Concern

Six quarantine pests of concern to China have been identified: Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), Ceratitis quilicii, Natal fruit fly (Ceratitis rosa), fig wax scale (Ceroplastes rusci), obscure mealybug (Pseudococcus viburni), and cherry bacterial canker pathogen (Pseudomonas syringae pv. morsprunorum).

IV. Orchard Management

Export orchards must establish and implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) under South African supervision, including maintaining orchard hygiene, promptly clearing fallen fruit, and implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM). South Africa must conduct orchard monitoring for the pests of concern. If live pests are detected during monitoring, appropriate control measures must be taken immediately.

V. Quarantine Treatment Requirements

Cherries for export to China must undergo cold treatment or fumigation under the supervision of the South African side or its authorized personnel. Cold treatment requires fruit core temperature at or below 1.11 degrees Celsius for 14 days or more, at or below 1.67 degrees Celsius for 16 days or more, or at or below 2.22 degrees Celsius for 18 days or more. Fumigation treatment uses methyl bromide at a dosage of 32 g/m3 for 2 hours at standard atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 21.1 degrees Celsius or above.

VI. Pre-Export Inspection and Certification

South Africa or its authorized personnel shall conduct sampling inspection at a rate of 2% per shipment. If no phytosanitary issues arise within two years, the sampling rate may be reduced to 1%. If live quarantine pests of concern are detected, the entire shipment shall not be exported to China. Each shipment must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the South African side, stating that the consignment complies with the protocol requirements.