Zika is at the center of concerns for China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).  On August 18, staff from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing met with AQSIQ.  China has confirmed that U.S. companies exporting to China must meet the below Zika requirements.

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All U.S. origin conveyances air and sea that departed the United States on or after August 5, 2016 must comply with the new requirements as per below:

1. Chinese authorities require all cargo shipments originating from the United States to provide proof of disinsection upon arrival at the Chinese port, both air and sea shipments.  This applies to all vessels and aircraft that left the United States on or after August 5, 2016, with the exception of containers kept at or under a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Disinsection does not require fumigation, but can be carried out by physical or chemical means.  For physical, this could include trapping, air curtains, or other integrated pest management techniques.  For Chemical, this could include surface spraying, space spraying, or fumigation.  It is the shipper’s choice, but should take into account human health and safety.
3. The disinsection requirement (and therefore the proof of disinsection) applies to the container or vessel, NOT to the goods being shipped.  Therefore, if the entire vessel can provide proof, in the form of a certificate, that the vessel is free of mosquitoes, then no additional inspection needs to be carried out.
4. Local CIQ inspectors will continue their selective examination procedures and there will not be a separate Zika-related inspection process.  However, if live mosquito eggs, larva, or mosquitoes are found during inspection, disinsection will be required.              
5. There is no disinsection certificate required for shipments that are chilled below 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).  But, if live mosquito eggs or larva are found by local CIQ inspectors at port, then disinsection will be required.
6. If there has been previous disinsection of the vessel (including fumigation) for other purposes (e.g., phytosanitary work plan), then proof of that treatment is sufficient proof for this Zika-requirement.
7. Proof of disinsection does not need to be provided by a governmental body, or a government approved body.
8. The disinsection treatment can be carried out at any point during the shipping process.  For example, if the containers are disinsected before loading and certified as mosquito free, then loaded in a mosquito free environment, then this is sufficient.

JAS Forwarding USA Inc. Compliance team suggests that clients consult with Chinese consignee(s) to determine which method you choose and at which stage it should be executed.  The fumigation process may be handled on arrival at the port in China, however that may depend on the steamship line as some lines are requiring this to be processed prior to accepting the cargo.  Keep in mind that there could be significant delays if shippers elect to fumigate in China.

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