Michael Turner
Summary of rules: The PRC applies strict quarantine controls to plant-derived foods. Processed, factory-sealed cacao powder with a full ingredient list and country-of-origin label is the least likely to be refused; raw cacao beans, homemade mixes or unpackaged bulk powders are high risk for seizure. Declare any food items on the arrival declaration form and present the original retail packaging and receipt when asked.
Practical steps for travellers: Keep the product in unopened retail packaging, carry proof of purchase, limit the amount to a small personal-use quantity (preferably no more than 1–2 kg), and place the item in checked baggage when airline rules allow to reduce the chance of additional screening at security. Check with your carrier about powders in carry-on–some airports require additional X-ray or manual inspection for quantities above certain thresholds.
If customs officers request inspection, hand over the packaging and be prepared for confiscation if the item fails quarantine requirements; undeclared food items can trigger fines or delays. For larger shipments, use an international courier that can supply required phytosanitary documentation and pre-clearance with PRC quarantine authorities. When in doubt, consult the PRC customs/quarantine website or contact the nearest consulate for up-to-date guidance before departure.
Bringing cacao powder to the PRC in personal baggage: practical rules
Declare all chocolate-based powders and related plant products at PRC customs on arrival; factory-sealed retail packets for personal consumption are normally allowed after inspection, unsealed or bulk material risks seizure and fines.
Packaging and documentation: keep original sealed packaging, itemized receipt showing seller and weight, and an ingredients list in English or Chinese. Hand this to the customs officer if requested.
Quantities and classification: single or a few retail units for personal use are treated differently from bulk loads. Large volumes or mixed commercial lots will be processed as imports and require an import permit, CIQ/GACC clearance and food safety paperwork from the exporter.
Restricted items: raw cacao beans, unprocessed plant material, soil-contaminated samples and homemade powder mixes are frequently refused entry or sent for quarantine testing; expect destruction, return to origin, or fines for undeclared prohibited goods.
On inspection expect: physical examination, sampling for lab testing, temporary detention of the goods, and a decision within a few days to weeks depending on test type. Non-declared items increase the chance of penalty.
Where to verify: consult the General Administration of Customs of the PRC (GACC) website, contact the nearest PRC consulate, or ask your carrier for specific food-admission rules before travel.
| Situation | Likely outcome | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed retail powder (small quantity) | Allowed after declaration and possible quick inspection | Keep receipt; declare on arrival; present packaging |
| Unsealed or homemade powder | High probability of confiscation or quarantine | Do not attempt to bring; if already packed, declare and expect testing |
| Raw cacao beans or plant material | Usually prohibited or subject to strict quarantine | Avoid transport; obtain phytosanitary certificate and prior approval for shipments |
| Large quantities (commercial lots) | Treated as imports; require permits and inspections | Use formal import channels, secure CIQ/GACC documentation before dispatch |
How PRC customs distinguishes cacao powder, cacao beans and chocolate products
Declare all cacao-derived items on arrival and carry original packaging plus invoices; raw beans without a phytosanitary certificate are treated as plant-quarantine risk and are frequently refused, destroyed or returned.
Regulatory categories and HS codes
Customs/inspection authorities sort products by trade classification and processing level. Typical HS references used by PRC authorities: HS 1801 – cocoa/cacao beans (whole, broken, raw or roasted); HS 1805 – cocoa/cacao powder (not containing added sugar); HS 1806 – chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. Raw beans are handled as plant quarantine material; powdered, defatted or alkalized powders are classed as processed plant products and subjected to pest, mycotoxin (e.g., aflatoxin) and pesticide-residue checks; finished chocolates are treated primarily as prepackaged food, subject to food-safety, labeling and shelf-life requirements.
Practical steps and inspection outcomes
Procedures you should expect: 1) present the items and commercial/packing documentation at customs/inspection; 2) for raw beans provide an official phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country’s plant-health authority – absence of that document usually triggers quarantine measures; 3) powders may be sampled for laboratory testing (microbiology, mycotoxins, pesticide residues); 4) finished chocolate will be examined for proper labeling (ingredient list, production date, expiration/BBE, manufacturer), and perishable fillings (cream, fruit) are commonly prohibited. Possible results: release without conditions, conditional release after fumigation/treatment, return to origin, destruction, or administrative penalties for non-declaration.
For commercial shipments, prepare importer registration and product filing with the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and relevant entry–exit inspection bodies, ensure compliance with national food-labeling standard GB 7718 and any product-specific GB limits. If uncertainty exists about a specific SKU or formulation, obtain written guidance from PRC customs or the local entry–exit inspection and quarantine bureau before shipping or traveling with the item.
When and how to declare cacao on the PRC customs arrival card
Declare any unpackaged cacao beans, powder, nibs or homemade chocolate on the arrival declaration; sealed retail chocolate should be declared when quantity exceeds personal-use amounts or contains preserved meat/dairy ingredients.
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When to mark “Yes” on the arrival card
- Loose beans, raw nibs, bulk powder, samples or products removed from original packaging.
- Homemade or hand-prepared confections and products without clear commercial labeling.
- Any plant-derived powder or seeds regardless of weight if there is uncertainty about phytosanitary status.
- Large volumes of retail-packaged chocolate that appear commercial/resale rather than for single-person consumption.
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How to complete the form
- Tick the agricultural/food checkbox that asks about plant or animal products.
- Under the description field write concise entries in English: e.g. “Cacao powder – 300 g – personal use”, “Cacao beans – 200 g – samples”, “Chocolate bars – 6 pcs – retail, sealed”.
- List approximate gross weight for each item and state purpose: “personal use”, “gift”, or “commercial sample”.
- If values are asked, use declared purchase price and keep receipts or invoices ready.
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At the airport: procedure after declaration
- Proceed to the red channel (goods to declare) and present the completed card plus the items and receipts.
- Customs officers may request opening packages, perform quarantine inspection or request treatment (fumigation, heat treatment) on-site.
- Possible outcomes: release without charge, treatment and release, confiscation, or imposition of penalties if regulations are breached.
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Practical recommendations for minimal delay
- Keep products in original retail packaging with ingredient lists and manufacturer details visible.
- Separate plant-derived items from other baggage and place receipts in an outer pocket for quick access.
- If product label lacks English, prepare a short English translation on a slip: item name, weight, ingredients, origin.
- When unsure, declare – non-declaration risks seizure and fines; voluntary declaration normally speeds clearing.
Write clear, itemized descriptions on the arrival card and present products promptly at the red channel to avoid delays or enforcement actions.
Permitted quantity limits and packaging standards for cacao in hand and checked baggage
Limit personal-use cacao powder to ≤2 kg in hand baggage and ≤5 kg in checked baggage; amounts above 5 kg are commonly treated as commercial consignments by PRC customs and will require import documentation, commercial invoices and supplier certificates.
Keep original, factory-sealed packaging with clear manufacturer label showing net weight (metric), ingredients list, country of origin, production and expiry dates and batch/lot number. Add a secondary seal (vacuum or heat-sealed bag) and place the product inside a rigid container or original carton to prevent spillage and damage during transport.
For cabin carriage expect enhanced screening for powders; limit individual containers to ≤350 mL (approximately ≤350 g for fine powders) to reduce the chance of delayed inspection and place powder items in an easily accessible clear bag for security checks.
Affix a short Chinese translation of product name and net weight to non-Chinese labels to speed inspection. Keep purchase receipts and a one-page supplier contact sheet (company name, address, phone, certificate references) in both hand and checked baggage.
Solid chocolate products and roasted beans usually face fewer restrictions than raw or powdered forms but should remain factory-sealed when quantities exceed 1–2 kg. Products containing dairy, meat derivatives or botanical additives may need quarantine clearance or additional certificates prior to arrival.
If a customs officer removes items for inspection, request a stamped inspection receipt and photograph all packaging and labels; retain original purchase documents for any appeal or release procedure.
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Which chocolate mixes or ingredients trigger quarantine or a ban
Do not pack chocolate powder mixes that include fresh dairy, unprocessed nuts, seeds, or any herbal/plant fragments without the proper GACC certificates; such items are routinely detained, quarantined, or destroyed.
Animal-origin ingredients that prompt quarantine or prohibition
- Liquid or refrigerated dairy (milk, cream, yogurt, fresh cheese, butter): prohibited without a veterinary health certificate and import permit; almost always seized if undeclared.
- Powdered milk or milk solids: commercial, factory-sealed retail packs face inspection; absence of supplier certificates increases risk of quarantine and rejection.
- Egg-based mixes (liquid egg, raw meringue powders): treated as animal products and require health documentation.
- Honey or bee-derived additives: subject to sanitary inspection and usually need a health certificate from the exporting authority.
Plant, nut and herbal additives that trigger phytosanitary controls or bans
- Raw/unroasted nuts and nuts with shells: higher quarantine risk; cracked, unprocessed, or untreated nuts are likely to be detained unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
- Seeds, whole spices or unprocessed plant fragments (including seeds added for texture): treated as plant imports and require a phytosanitary certificate.
- Herbal ingredients and traditional medicine additives (ginseng, goji, chrysanthemum, licorice root, powdered herbs): require plant quarantine clearance and sometimes additional permits; some listed or endangered species are prohibited.
- Hemp, cannabis, CBD, THC or any cannabis-derived ingredient: strictly banned; presence leads to seizure and potential criminal consequences.
- Fresh fruit pieces, fruit pastes or unpreserved botanicals: regarded as high-risk plant material and normally refused without certification.
- Products with soil, visible plant matter, or signs of pests/fungal growth: automatically subject to quarantine and destruction.
Practical steps
- Only carry fully factory-sealed commercial products whose ingredient list clearly states processing method and origin.
- Obtain exporter-issued veterinary or phytosanitary certificates when the mix contains animal or plant-origin additives; keep originals with the product and declare them on arrival paperwork.
- If unsure about a specific herb, nut or seed, do not include the product; purchase locally after arrival to avoid detention or fines.
- Declare any item containing dairy, meat, seeds, herbs or honey on the arrival card and present supplier documentation proactively to GACC officers.
What happens during customs inspection: sampling, lab tests and likely outcomes
Declare plant-derived powders and confectionery, present manufacturer documentation and phytosanitary paperwork on demand; expect physical sampling and laboratory analysis if packaging, labeling or X-ray images trigger suspicion.
Sampling and on-site procedure
Primary screening: X-ray, sniffer dogs or visual check. If selected for inspection, officers will open sealed boxes and collect representative samples under a documented chain-of-custody. Typical sample amounts used by quarantine inspectors:
– powders/powdered mixes: 10–50 g;
– solid bars or blocks: 3–5 whole units or fragments totaling 50–100 g;
– whole beans/seeds/nuts: 50–200 g (depending on lot size).
Samples are placed in sterile, tamper-evident bags, labeled with inspection number, date, lot ID and inspector name; a copy of the sampling record is issued to the passenger or consignee.
On-the-spot tests include visual pest checks, moisture/odor assessment and rapid chemical strips for common pesticide residues; results are immediate but non-definitive. If rapid tests are negative and paperwork matches product, goods may be cleared on the spot.
Laboratory testing, timeframes and possible outcomes
Formal lab analyses fall into three typical tracks with usual turnaround times:
– chemical residue screening (pesticides, heavy metals): 48–72 hours;
– microbiological assays (pathogens, total plate count): 3–7 days;
– mycotoxin or detailed pest identification: 7–14 days or longer if reference identification is required.
Times may extend if confirmatory tests or expert consultations are needed; inspectors will issue a receipt with expected timelines.
Probable administrative outcomes after testing:
– release with no restrictions if results and documents comply;
– conditional release after treatment (approved fumigation, heat treatment, or re-packaging) with treatment certificate required;
– seizure and supervised destruction when prohibited pests, banned additives or regulated residues exceed limits;
– re-export to origin at owner’s expense where treatment or destruction is not feasible;
– administrative penalties or fines for non-declaration or false documentation; severe cases may lead to criminal investigation for deliberate smuggling.
Recommended actions if a sample tests positive or goods are detained: obtain the written inspection report and chain-of-custody; request a copy of laboratory results; preserve original packaging and invoices; arrange immediate contact with the exporter or manufacturer for supporting certificates; follow the official appeal or review instructions printed on the detention notice and coordinate with a customs broker or legal adviser for re-export, supervised disposal or administrative review.
Consequences of noncompliance: fines, confiscation and options for disposal or return
Declare any cacao-derived items on the PRC arrival card; failure typically results in immediate seizure, administrative penalties and either mandatory destruction or return at the traveller’s expense.
Administrative penalties and seizure
Customs officers commonly confiscate undeclared foodstuffs and quarantine-sensitive plant products on the spot. Administrative fines for personal quantities usually range from RMB 200–2,000; for larger or repeat infractions fines commonly fall between RMB 2,000–20,000 depending on quantity, value and risk assessment. Suspected smuggling or commercial intent can trigger much higher fines and criminal referral.
Official actions you should expect: issuance of a written seizure notice, temporary holding of the goods while laboratory or quarantine assessment proceeds, and either an administrative penalty decision or a confiscation/destruction order once tests conclude.
Options for disposal, return and appeals
Immediate practical steps: request a written decision and an official receipt for any fine or disposal; photograph packaging and labels before surrendering items; keep purchase receipts to demonstrate personal use and lower value.
Disposal vs return: customs will usually offer one of three outcomes–destruction under quarantine supervision, approved re-export at the owner’s cost, or retention and confiscation without return. Re-export requires a carrier willing to accept the consignment and a phytosanitary certificate from the origin; costs and timeline vary but expect payment up front and processing times of days to weeks.
Appeals and remedies: administrative reconsideration must be applied for within 60 days of the decision; an administrative lawsuit may be filed in court within six months. Keep all written notices and receipts to support any appeal. For suspected criminal procedures, contact your embassy immediately.
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