China's Announcement on Inspection & Quarantine of Chilean Blueberries

On December 31, 2011, China General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection & Quarantine (AQSIQ) released its Announcement No. 207 of 2011 concerning the Requirements on Inspection and Quarantine of Blueberry Plants Imported from Chile.

According to the Announcement, from December 31, 2011, China permits the import of fresh blueberry plants from Chile.

The name of commodities permitted to import is fresh blueberry fruit, its scientific name as Vaccinium L. and English name Blueberry. The permitted origins are Chile's third-eleventh regions, fourteenth region and its capital region.

Relevant Chilean blueberry orchards, packing plants, refrigerating warehouses and cold-treatment facilities shall be registered with the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Bureau under Chile's Ministry of Agriculture, and be jointly approved by both China and Chile.

Chile party shall offer a registry list before its export season each year, and the list is available for checking on the website of the AQSIQ.

The Announcement also makes clear regulations on relevant shipping, packer management, packaging, cold treatment, inspection and quarantine before exports, entry inspection and quarantine, and so on.