Veterinary health certificate for dairy products with GAC approval stamp and new format requirements

The General Administration of Customs of China (GAC) has released updated veterinary health certificate requirements for imported dairy products, effective August 1, 2026. The new certificate format applies to all dairy imports including milk powder, cheese, butter, whey, and infant formula. Certificates issued using the old format will be rejected after the effective date. Key changes include mandatory country‑of‑origin information, enhanced traceability requirements, and stricter attestation language. This guide explains the new certificate requirements, the application process, and practical steps for dairy exporters.

1. Scope – Which Dairy Products Are Affected

The new veterinary certificate requirements apply to all imported dairy products under HS codes 0401‑0406 (milk and cream, milk powder, whey, butter, cheese, and curd). Specific products include:

  • Milk powder (whole, skim, infant formula): HS codes 0402.10, 0402.21, 0402.29.
  • Cheese and curd: HS codes 0406.10‑0406.90.
  • Butter and dairy spreads: HS codes 0405.10‑0405.90.
  • Whey and modified whey: HS codes 0404.10‑0404.90.
  • Liquid milk and cream: HS codes 0401.10‑0401.50.

Products that contain less than 3% dairy (e.g., some bakery mixes) are not subject to the veterinary certificate requirement but must still comply with standard food import regulations.

⚠️ Critical note: The new certificate format applies to both commercial shipments and personal gifts exceeding 2kg. There is no exemption for low‑value shipments.

2. Key Changes – New Certificate Format Requirements

The updated veterinary certificate (GAC Form VET‑Dairy‑2026) introduces several mandatory fields not present in the previous version:

  • Country‑of‑origin certification (new): The certificate must explicitly state the country of origin of the raw milk. For products with milk sourced from multiple countries, each must be listed with percentage breakdown.
  • Farm registration numbers (new): The certificate must include the registration numbers of the farms where the raw milk was produced (or a statement that farms are registered under the exporting country‘s dairy safety program).
  • Processing facility registration (expanded): The GAC registration number of the processing facility must be included. Facilities not registered with GAC cannot export dairy to China.
  • Enhanced attestation language: The certifying veterinarian must attest that: the dairy products are free from foot‑and‑mouth disease, rinderpest, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE); that raw milk came from animals not treated with growth hormones (unless permitted by China); and that products meet China‘s microbiological standards (GB 29921).
  • Batch traceability statement: The certificate must include a statement that the products are traceable to the farm of origin and processing batch.
  • Digital signature requirement (new): The certificate must be digitally signed by the exporting country‘s competent authority. Physical wet signatures are still accepted but may cause processing delays.

Certificates missing any of these elements will be rejected at the port of entry.

3. Transition Period – Old Certificates Valid Until July 31, 2026

GAC has provided a transition period to allow exporters and competent authorities to adapt to the new format:

  • Old format certificates: Valid for shipments with a bill of lading date on or before July 31, 2026, provided the certificate was issued before August 1, 2026.
  • Mixed shipments: If a shipment contains products with both old and new certificates, the entire shipment may be detained. Use only new format certificates for shipments after July 31.
  • In‑transit shipments: Dairy products shipped before August 1 but arriving after August 1 are subject to the new certificate requirements. Exporters should use the new format for all shipments departing after July 1, 2026, to avoid rejection.

Exporters are advised to begin using the new format as soon as possible to avoid last‑minute disruptions.

⏱️ Transition timeline: Old format accepted until July 31, 2026. New format mandatory for all shipments with bill of lading date on or after August 1, 2026.

4. Competent Authority Endorsement – Which Agencies Can Issue

The veterinary certificate must be issued by the competent authority of the exporting country – typically the ministry of agriculture, food safety agency, or veterinary services. GAC maintains a list of recognized competent authorities:

  • European Union: European Commission (DG SANTE) or member state veterinary authorities.
  • United States: USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
  • Australia: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
  • New Zealand: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
  • South America: Respective national agricultural health services (SENASA for Argentina, MAPA for Brazil, etc.).

Certificates issued by private veterinarians or third‑party certifiers without government authorization are not accepted. Exporters should verify that their competent authority has updated its certificate template to the GAC‑approved format.

5. GAC Registration Requirements – Processing Facilities Must Be Registered

All dairy processing facilities exporting to China must be registered with GAC under the Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration system (GAC Decree No. 248). Key requirements:

  • Facility registration number: The certificate must include the facility‘s 18‑digit GAC registration number (format: CUSAxxxxxx). Facilities without a valid registration cannot export.
  • Product category listing: The facility‘s registration must cover the specific dairy product category (e.g., “infant formula,” “milk powder,” “cheese”). Exporting products outside the registered scope is prohibited.
  • Annual renewal: Facility registrations must be renewed annually. Expired registrations invalidate the veterinary certificate.

Exporters should verify their facility‘s registration status and ensure the certificate references the correct registration number.

6. Common Rejection Reasons – What to Avoid

Based on GAC enforcement data from pilot ports, common reasons for veterinary certificate rejection include:

  • Missing country‑of‑origin declaration (32% of rejections): Certificate does not explicitly state the country of origin of raw milk.
  • Inconsistent facility registration number (25%): The registration number on the certificate does not match GAC‘s database or is expired.
  • Attestation language not meeting GAC requirements (18%): The vet‘s statement does not explicitly reference freedom from BSE, foot‑and‑mouth disease, or growth hormones.
  • Missing farm registration numbers (15%): No farm registration numbers provided, or farms not registered under the exporting country‘s program.
  • Old certificate format used (10%): Certificate still using pre‑2026 format.

If a certificate is rejected, the shipment will be detained. The importer has 30 days to submit a corrected certificate; after that, the goods may be destroyed or returned.

7. Practical Compliance Roadmap for Dairy Exporters

To ensure smooth clearance under the new veterinary certificate requirements, dairy exporters should follow this six‑step roadmap:

  1. Verify GAC facility registration (Immediate). Confirm that your processing facility is registered with GAC and that the registration covers the specific dairy products you plan to export.
  2. Obtain the new certificate template from your competent authority (Month 1). Request the updated GAC VET‑Dairy‑2026 format. Confirm that all mandatory fields (country of origin, farm registration numbers, enhanced attestations) are included.
  3. Collect farm registration data (Month 1‑2). Obtain farm registration numbers from your raw milk suppliers. Ensure farms are registered under the exporting country‘s dairy safety program.
  4. Train staff on new certificate completion (Month 2). Ensure your export documentation team understands the new requirements and can complete the certificate accurately.
  5. Submit sample certificate to GAC for pre‑clearance (Optional but recommended). Some competent authorities offer pre‑clearance review. Submit a sample certificate to GAC via your customs broker for validation before full implementation.
  6. Transition to new certificate format by July 1, 2026 (Recommended). Do not wait until the July 31 deadline. Begin using the new format for shipments departing after July 1.
🚀 Need help with the new veterinary certificate requirements for dairy imports? Contact a China food import compliance partner for a free certificate review. Our experts will verify your facility registration, assist with the new certificate format, and coordinate with your competent authority. Request your free consultation today.

Summary: GAC has updated veterinary health certificate requirements for imported dairy products, effective August 1, 2026. The new certificate format (VET‑Dairy‑2026) requires mandatory country‑of‑origin certification, farm registration numbers, enhanced attestations for BSE/foot‑and‑mouth disease, batch traceability statements, and digital signatures. Old format certificates are accepted only for shipments with bill of lading dates on or before July 31, 2026. All dairy processing facilities must be registered with GAC, and the registration number must appear on the certificate. Common rejection reasons include missing origin declarations (32%), inconsistent facility registration numbers (25%), and inadequate attestations (18%). To avoid delays, exporters should verify facility registration, obtain the new certificate template, collect farm registration data, and transition to the new format by July 1, 2026.