Awareness session aims to boost compliance and ease access to Chinese market
Colombo, May 23 — In a bid to streamline Sri Lanka’s agricultural exports to China, the Export Development Board (EDB) has launched an awareness campaign to educate exporters on the mandatory General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) registration process.
The session, titled “Agricultural Product Exports to China through GACC Registration”, was organized in collaboration with the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS), following concerns raised at the 24th and 25th Exporters’ Forums.
“The initiative was a direct response to issues highlighted by the Spices & Allied Products Traders’ Association (SAPPTA), particularly regarding exporters’ limited knowledge of the GACC’s intricate registration requirements,” the EDB said in a statement.
The GACC registration is compulsory for a wide range of exports to China—including agricultural goods, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and electronics. For agricultural products specifically, exporters must meet stringent standards relating to food safety, plant health, and traceability.
The NPQS has already facilitated the registration of 188 companies and their associated growing areas under this regulatory framework, enabling smoother access to the Chinese market.
This move underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening export competitiveness and ensuring compliance with international trade regulations.