China - Seafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG)

Seafood Species Approved for Import to China from Australia

China has listed the seafood species that are approved for import from Australia

There are two lists one for live seafood and one for other “non-viable” products forms (Chilled, frozen, other eg oil). This page is about the non-viable seafood list.

Some of the seafood species that Australia would like to export to China are not currently on the approved list. The Seafood Trade Advisory Group is working with the Department of Agriculture to submit applications for new species to be added to the list. The submission of new species is being done according to the following priority order.

1

Documented history of trade with mainland China prior to 2012

Blue Swimmer Crab, Sea Cucumber(five species), School Whiting(two species), Orange Roughy(chilled/frozen), Sea Mullet, Coral Trout, Deepwater Flathead

The Department of Agriculture submitted this group to China on 21 October 2019. Click here for more information.

2

New species (to test the process for adding new species)

Scallops – Family,
Australian Salmon – Genus,
Murray Cod – Aquaculture species

The Department of Agriculture submited these new species requests in early 2020.

3

High priority species (as reserve to group 2)

Prawns – all species Sea Urchin – all species

These species will be submitted once the Chinese Government has accepted the risk dossiers for Group 2 and have not requested any changes.

4

Pipeline species (once test species submissions are accepted)

Carp, Morton Bay Bugs, Sawshark, Ocean Reef Perch, Broadgilled Hagfish, Sea Perch, Sand Crabs, Mantis Shrimp, Yellowfin Tuna, Pacific Oyster, Emperor, And any other nominated by industry

All other species can expect to be able to make submissions once the process for doing so has been agreed.

Adding new species to the list

Step 1: Check the China Approved list

To see whether the species is already approved for import from Australia. If it is on the list then there is no need to take further action.
Access the simplified Chinese language version of the list here. (Open in Google Chrome for automatic translation)
Please note that this is a non-official translation. The list is updated from time to time by the Chinese Government agency and is only available officially in simplified Chinese. While we endeavour to keep the translated list accurate and up to date, we cannot guarantee that it is.

Step 2: If you want to add a new species to the list you will need to complete a risk dossier and submit it to the Department of Agriculture.

New applications are not being accepted while we wait for a response from China in relation to the species that have already been applied for.

We will keep you informed of progress and alert you when new applications are being accepted.