China’s agricultural export market continues to expand rapidly. In the first half of 2025, agricultural exports reached $98.7 billion, growing 3.2% YoY (GACC). As global demand for fresh, safe, and traceable agricultural goods increases, businesses shipping from China must navigate highly regulated supply chains, especially cold chain operations, digital documentation, and stricter compliance requirements introduced between 2024–2025.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the latest 2025 regulations, cold chain best practices, and mandatory export documents, while giving you a clear 2026 outlook so your logistics planning stays ahead.
For exporters seeking fast, reliable, and compliant shipping, Maskura Logistics provides streamlined door-to-port and port-to-port services from China to global markets.
China’s Agricultural Export Landscape in 2025 (and What to Expect in 2026)
China remains one of the world’s largest agricultural suppliers with major export categories including:
- Fresh fruits – 18%
- Vegetables – 15%
- Processed foods – 22%
- Seafood – 12%
Top destination markets:
- ASEAN – 32%
- EU – 19%
- North America – 14%
Key 2025–2026 Developments Impacting Exporters
| Year | Key Policy / Change |
| 2025 (Oct) | GACC strengthened export registration requirements (Announcement No. 248) |
| 2025 (July) | ASEAN–China cold chain standard harmonization completed |
| 2025 (Full year) | Digital e-Phyto mandatory for 87 countries |
| 2025 (Dec) | New GB 2762-2025 & GB 2763-2024 safety standards fully enforced |
| 2026 (forecast) | AI-powered supply chain risk assessment to reduce manual inspections |
| 2026 (forecast) | GACC to expand blockchain traceability coverage to 25–30% of agri exports |
| 2026 (forecast) | New cross-border green packaging regulations expected for fresh produce |
Takeaway:
2026 will demand higher traceability, greener packaging, and more digital documentation. Exporters who modernize early will benefit from faster clearance and lower rejection rates.
Export Regulations for Agricultural Products
The General Administration of Customs China (GACC) controls all agricultural exports. As of late 2025, exporters must comply with:
1. Mandatory Registrations
- Export food producer registration (valid 5 years)
- Overseas importer/purchaser filing (Announcement No. 248)
- Export licenses for restricted items (e.g., grains, seeds)
- Cold storage facility certification under GB/T 28577-2012
2. Food Safety & Quality Standards
- GB 2762-2025 – contaminant limits
- GB 2763-2024 – pesticide residue limits
- HACCP certification for processed/agri-animal products
- Full origin traceability from farm to port
Destination-Specific Requirements (2025–2026)
| Destination | Key Requirements | Processing Time | Common Delays |
| USA | FDA FSMA, USDA APHIS phytosanitary, Bioterrorism Act | 5–8 days | Pest issues, residue limits |
| EU | TRACES-NT, EU Green Deal carbon data, EC 396/2005 | 7–10 days | MRL exceedances |
| Japan | Plant Protection Act, sanitation checks, radiation tests | 3–5 days | Very strict MRLs |
| Australia | BICON import conditions, fumigation cert | 10–14 days | Biosecurity risks |
| ASEAN | Harmonized cold chain & labeling | 4–6 days | Label discrepancies |
📌 Industry Insight:
Around 23% of delays in agricultural exports happen due to wrong or incomplete documents. Maskura Logistics helps exporters avoid these delays through pre-checking and regulatory guidance.
Cold Chain Logistics for Agricultural Exports
Cold chain is the backbone of agricultural exports. China’s cold chain logistics industry was valued at 543 billion RMB in 2024 and is projected to grow 12.8% in 2025, driven by exports and e-commerce.
Optimal Cold Chain Temperatures for Major Products
| Product | Temperature | Humidity | Max Transit | Loss Rate |
| Leafy vegetables | 0–2°C | 95–98% | 14–18 days | 8–12% |
| Citrus fruits | 3–8°C | 85–90% | 25–30 days | 5–8% |
| Tropical fruits | 10–13°C | 85–90% | 18–22 days | 10–15% |
| Berries | -0.5–0°C | 90–95% | 10–14 days | 15–20% |
| Frozen seafood | -18 to -25°C | N/A | 60–90 days | 2–4% |
2025 Cold Chain Best Practices
1. Choose the Right Reefer Container
- ISO 1496-2 certified
- Recent PTI (pre-trip inspection)
- Active cooling capacity for the cargo type
- Backup power system for port congestion delays
2. Pre-Cooling is Mandatory
Never load warm products into a reefer container.
Pre-cooling improves shelf life by 40–60%.
3. Packaging Optimization
- Ventilated cartons with 10% airflow
- Ethylene absorbers for fruits like apples & bananas
- Moisture-resistant packaging
- Maintain 10 cm airflow gaps inside the container
4. Real-Time Monitoring (IoT)
Modern exporters use:
- Temperature monitoring every 5 minutes
- GPS + geofencing
- CO₂ & humidity sensors
- Blockchain-based tamper-proof logs
2026 Trend
AI will start predicting temperature excursion risks, cutting spoilage by 15–20%.
Mandatory Documentation for Exporting Agricultural Products
Commercial Documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
- Sales contract
Certificates
- Phytosanitary Certificate (valid 14 days)
- Certificate of Origin
- Health Certificate
- Fumigation Certificate (for wooden pallets)
Quality & Safety Documentation
- Lab test reports – pesticide, heavy metals, microbes
- HACCP/GMP certificates
- Traceability records (farm → warehouse → export)
Digital Systems (2025–2026 Updates)
China’s Single Window platform now offers:
- Avg. processing time 4.2 hours
- Integrated Customs + CIQ + Port services
- Full mobile interface
- Auto-risk assessment for faster clearance
2026 Forecast:
More countries will accept e-Phyto and digital Certificates of Origin, speeding up customs clearance globally.
Common Compliance Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
❌ Wrong HS codes
❌ Missing fumigation certificates
❌ Phytosanitary certificate expired
❌ Wrong temperature settings in reefer
❌ Incomplete labels or bilingual errors
❌ MRL violations due to inadequate testing
Pro Tip:
Start documentation 30–45 days before shipment to avoid 70% of risks.
FAQ – Shipping Agricultural Products from China
How long does shipping take?
- China → USA (LA): 12–16 days
- China → EU: 28–35 days
- China → Singapore: 5–7 days
- Air freight: 3–5 days
Which ports are best?
- Shanghai – largest cold chain capacity
- Shenzhen/Guangzhou – tropical produce
- Qingdao – seafood & northern products
- Ningbo – EU routes
- Xiamen – ASEAN specialization
2026 Outlook: What Exporters Should Prepare For
- Stricter green packaging rules for fruits/vegetables
- Carbon footprint documentation for shipments going to EU
- Mandatory IoT monitoring for cold chain goods
- Broader blockchain traceability adoption (25–30% of exports)
- AI-based customs risk scoring replacing manual checks
Early preparation in 2025 will give exporters a competitive edge in 2026.
Why Choose Maskura Logistics for Agricultural Exports?
Your Reliable Partner for Cold Chain & Perishable Cargo Shipping from China
Maskura Logistics provides:
- ✔ Dedicated China warehouse & inspection support
- ✔ Competitive shipping rates (air, sea LCL/FCL, reefer containers)
- ✔ Cold chain management with IoT monitoring
- ✔ Full documentation support (e-Phyto, CO, CIQ, COA, fumigation)
- ✔ Traceability & compliance guidance
- ✔ Fast booking with major carriers: COSCO, MSC, CMA, Maersk
Whether you ship fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, frozen food, or processed agricultural products, we ensure safe, compliant, and on-time delivery to all global markets.
👉 For professional agricultural exports from China, contact Maskura Logistics today.