Circular – GACC changes dt 26-07-2022

167306/2022/QC 1009

167346/2022/QC 1003

(Unofficial Translation) Further optimize the COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control of Imported Goods

Notice on Further Optimizing the COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control of Imported Goods Guowei Mingdian [2022] No. 270 All provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps shall respond to the joint prevention and control mechanism of the COVID-19 epidemic (leading group, headquarters), and member units of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism of the COVID-19 epidemic: Since 2021, all localities and departments have strictly implemented the requirements of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism, strengthened the COVID-19 detection and preventive disinfection of imported cold chain food and high-risk non-cold chain containerized goods. The goal of "safety, effectiveness, speed and economy" has been achieved, and the risk of epidemic spread has been effectively prevented. The latest research results show that under normal temperature conditions, the COVID-19 has a short survival time on the surface of most items, and is completely inactivated within 1 day. In order to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, unswervingly implement the general strategy of "external anti input and internal anti rebound" and the general policy of "dynamic reset", resolutely consolidate the major strategic achievements of epidemic prevention and control, and ensure the safety of imported goods. At the same time, to implement the requirements of "prevent the epidemic, stabilize the economy, and secure development" to ensure the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain, the relevant requirements for further optimizing the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control of imported goods are hereby notified as follows:

1. Working principle (1) Comprehensive research and judgment, gradation and classification. Based on the epidemic situation in the source country (region) of the imported non-cold chain items, the category and characteristics of the item, the mode and duration of transportation, and the method of loading and unloading, comprehensively study and judge the risk of contamination of the items, and take preventive disinfection or release measures according to gradation and classification. Imported cold chain food shall be implemented in accordance with the current technical guidelines for classification and disposal. (2) Scientifically accurate and dynamic adjustment. According to the situation of epidemic prevention and control and the mutation of the virus, on the basis of the scientific conclusions of the "human-to-human" systematic research, the epidemic prevention and control measures of the imported non-cold-chain goods are scientifically and accurately adopted, and the measures are continuously optimized and dynamically adjusted according to the time and situation. (3) Coordinate and perform their duties as a whole. All localities and departments should strengthen overall planning and coordination and inter-departmental collaboration, strictly implement the national unified epidemic prevention and control policies, strengthen the management of employees in high-risk positions, and consolidate the "quartet of responsibilities".
2. Implement graded and classified management of imported non-cold chain items Imported non-cold chain items refer to imported items whose transport temperature is above 10°C. I. The classification standard of pollution risk of imported non-cold chain items.
3. The risk of contamination of imported non-cold chain items is divided into two risk levels: low risk and high risk.
4. Principles for determining the risk level of contamination of imported non-cold chain items.

(1) If one of the following conditions is met, it will be judged as low risk. Imported non-cold chain items from countries (regions) with low risk of COVID-19; All bulk cargoes, including imported non-cold chain items such as coal, ore, chemical raw materials, grain, feed, forage, logs, etc.; Aircraft, ships, trains, and automobiles loaded with imported goods are imported non-cold-chain goods more than 24 hours after leaving the port of shipment; Imported non-cold chain items that do not come into contact with loading and unloading personnel during loading and unloading; Imported non-cold chain items that have implemented preventive disinfection. (2) Imported non-cold chain items that do not fall into any of the above situations, or whose risk level cannot be determined, are determined to be high-risk in accordance with the "strict" principle. (3) According to the above circumstances, imported non-cold chain items that are judged to be low-risk, and if there are confirmed cases or asymptomatic infections among the vehicle drivers and passengers carrying the items, the local joint prevention and control mechanism will comprehensively study and judge the risk level. (4) The risk level of imported non-cold chain items for special purposes shall be comprehensively researched and judged by the local joint prevention and control mechanism. II. Implement prevention and control measures by gradation and classification of imported non-cold chain items.

1. Epidemic prevention and control measures for high-risk imported non-cold chain items. Imported non-cold-chain items determined to be high-risk, in accordance with the “Notice on Printing and Distributing the Work Plan for Inspection and Preventive Disinfection of Imported

High-Risk Non-Cold Chain Container Cargo” by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Comprehensive Group of the State Council (Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Comprehensive Issue [2020]) 277) to implement preventive disinfection. All localities will no longer conduct COVID-19 nucleic acid testing on imported non-cold chain items. 2. Epidemic prevention and control measures for high-risk imported non-cold chain items that are not suitable for preventive disinfection. For hazardous chemicals, live animals, feed, feed additives, fruits, vegetables, precision instruments and other items that have no outer packaging or that are likely to cause infiltration and pollution of disinfection liquid, the COVID-19 nucleic acid detection and preventive disinfection will not be implemented. The local joint prevention and control mechanism shall deal with it in an appropriate manner as appropriate 3. Epidemic prevention and control measures for low-risk imported non-cold chain items. For imported non-cold chain items determined to be low-risk, COVID-19 nucleic acid testing and preventive disinfection will no longer be implemented. 3. It is not allowed to introduce stricter control measures for imported non-cold chain items All local joint prevention and control mechanisms shall implement epidemic prevention and control measures for imported non-cold chain items in strict accordance with the requirements of the relevant documents of the State Council’s joint prevention and control mechanism, and promptly adjust the regulations on the static storage of imported non-cold chain items, and shall not increase the number of layers. 4. Disinfection method of imported non-cold chain items The disinfection of imported non-cold-chain items is implemented in accordance with the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Prevention and Control and Disinfection of COVID-19" (Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism Zongfa [2021] No. 94) issued by the Comprehensive Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, focusing on the disinfection of parts that may be contacted by shipping personnel.

5. Optimize and improve the epidemic prevention and control measures for imported cold chain food The Customs continued to strengthen source control, and took measures such as revocation of registration, suspension of imports, and rectification within a time limit for overseas food manufacturers that did not cooperate with inspections or had problems when necessary. Sampling testing, as an important means to monitor the effect of pollution prevention at the source, is organized and implemented by the Customs at the port, and the test results are used as the basis for adjusting the control measures at the source. Imported cold-chain foods that are tested positive for nucleic acid shall be classified and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the State Council's joint prevention and control mechanism. Emergency preventive measures to suspend import declarations will not be taken against relevant overseas food production enterprises.

Contact: Teng Wenhe, Department of Health and Quarantine, General Administration of Customs Tel: 65195279

The State Council 's Comprehensive Team of the COVID-19 Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism
July 8, 2022